Can I Use A Rubber Hose For Transmission Cooling Lines?

If you are reading this post, it simply means you want learn about if you can use rubber hose for transmission cooling lines.

Essentially, transmission cooling lines in your vehicle are responsible for carrying trans fluid to the radiator via the transmission as they function to reduce the overall temperature of the transmission system. This activity done by the cooler lines allows your engine to rid itself of excessive heat in as much as conserving its lifespan.

However, transmission cooling lines often are made of metal or a composite alloy (aluminum) since they can withstand the flow of heated trans fluid. So, if peradventure the metal cooling lines wear out over time or if there is a fluid loss emanating from an overheating, transmission can be hazardous to the cooling capacity of its system. Hence, replacing the faulty trans cooling lines would be vital to decrease your vehicle’s vulnerability regarding fluid leakage.

Perchance, a fast or prompt fix with a robber hose would help eliminate the cost-fixed situation and time-taking repairs.

So far, if you tend to know much about the use of rubber hoses, this informative guide will help you explicate, examine, and proffer solutions for these specific issues and questions such as, what kind of hose can I use for transmission fluid, can you use hose clamps on transmission cooling line, and more.

Without much ado, let’s go exploring as you thoroughly study the facts below!

What Kind Of Hose Can I Use For Transmission Fluid?

In several locations, your transmission cooling lines have become faulty or lousy. The first vital thing that would come to your mind is a replacement; perchance, the second is what kind of hose I should use. Don’t worry anymore; the following hoses would be helpful, suitable, and capable of effectively transferring hot trans fluid to the radiator.1

1. The PTFE.

These hoses are suitable choices as regards their chemical properties in enhancing the cooling of trans fluid. On the other hand, their length varies regarding usage, as most of them are 15 to 18 feet long AN tubes.

2. Hydraulic Fluid Hoses.

As much as they have different functions, hydraulic tubes can serve as transmission lines since they have a high psi rating and can withstand high fluid pressures.

3. Transmission-Related Hoses.

Unlike the standard hoses, these related transmission hoses are made of rubber to enhance transport fluid with a pressure of about 300 psi. They have further heat protection compared to other rubber hoses. If you intend to get them, the word ‘transmission’ is in their body.

Can I Use A Rubber Hose For Transmission Cooling Lines?

Rubber Hose For Transmission Cooling LInes.

Yes, you can use a rubber hose for trans-cooling lines. Perchance you use a regular or any rubber hose aside from the standard for trans cooling purposes; you would have yourself to blame because it will surely break down sooner than later and would also cause a blockage to the valve in the transmission system.

Similarly, rubber hose (rubberized) transmission cooler lines are the most affordable solution for trans cooler lines. Since it is cheap, you would quickly obtain a rubber transmission cooler line from a nearby automobile shop during minor repairs. However, they are ideal for installing external cooling or repairing any metal line leakage.

Notwithstanding, installing rubber transmission hoses shouldn’t be close to the exhaust or even close to other overheated components to avoid melting, which might produce leaks in no time.

How You Could Change/Replace Trans Cooling Lines (Rubber Hose)

Transmission cooling lines, as the name implies, link the coolant from the radiator to the transmission and hot fluid from the transmission to the radiator as this process circles to retain the cold system. Below are the procedures for replacing the transmission cooling lines.

Here you have the step-by-step guide!

  • Using a hoist to raise your vehicle as you illuminate the area. Then get the necessary safety materials and access the front of your car.
  • Begin to drain the trans fluid as you remove the clasp holding the trans line setup. Ensure to use an oiled skillet as the base, in any case.
  • After a complete drain, detach the previous transmission cooling lines using a wrench/screwdriver. Ensure that you keep the side that went to the gearbox to heart by having a snapshot of the lines, if necessary. Perchance, expect more fluid trickles when you disconnect the lines, so wait for total drain, and you will eliminate grime and grit by spraying the link with a brake cleaner.
  • Introduce the new cooler line (rubber) to the radiator and the transmission system. Ensure to secure the hose using a hose clamp.
  • Refill the transmission lube (gearbox) with the proper fluid in your manufacturer’s guide.
  • Double-check and inspect any leaks as you tighten the connections/clamps.

That’s all you need to do, isn’t it simple? This procedure should take about 20 to 30 minutes as you quickly replace your broken or faulty metal cooling lines with a rubber hose.

Can You Use Hose Clamps On Transmission Cooling Lines?

The simple answer is absolute, and you can use hose clamps, especially the F1-type clamps or double clamps on the transmission line. Although, it is okay. As regards my experience, I had them installed on my aftermarket trans cooler lines in my vehicle for over a decade now, and they are still holding up tightly, and I recommend you use them too. Ensure that they are tight enough.

Is There Pressure In-Transmission Cooler Lines?

Yes, there is pressure in transmission cooler lines. Perchance, cooler lines maintain a positive pressure relative to the outside pressure to keep moisture out of the transmission. Hence, the pressure required by the transmission line is minimal, as preserving unnecessary pressure could damage the cooler pipes and waste energy.

Similarly, the transmission’s pressure depends on the transmission hose or line type. If it is a hollow trans cooler line, some gas pressure must be inside the tube. Then the transmission cooler lines could be vulnerable to corrosion if they might be exposed to moisture and oxygen alike, though two primary constituents of decay.

Can A Heater Hose Be Used For Transmission Fluid?

It is indispensable that your vehicle is full of various gaseous vapors and fluids and the means of transferring them is through hoses. Although, it is unrealistic to say each could be interchangeable with others.

Your transmission fluid requires a typical hose; your fuel would also move through a heater or vacuum line. Since coolants can flow through these lines, you can use a heater hose for transmission since they are of the same material but different sizes. However, there are other different types of heater hoses as regards size for various vehicles, as they have extra protection from shallow scrapes and damage.

Can You Use Aluminum Tubing For Transmission Cooler Lines?

Yes, you can! Although aluminum tubing could be utilized most often for transmission fluid, fuel supply lines, vacuum supplies, coolant transfer, and oil supply lines, except for pressurized brake lines. Additionally, it is common for some persons to use aluminum tubing for transmission and fuel lines and Earl’s EZ-Beader tubing to enhance the connection of a rubber hose directly to your aluminum tubing.

The most significant advantage of aluminum tubing is that it is effortless to bend using your hands but complex to straighten perfectly.

How Much Is A Transmission Hose?

Without much ado, let’s get into this section.

Perchance, a trans hose that can handle high pressure costs about $70 to $90 for a 30-feet longer trans hose. Notwithstanding, all most parts of the vehicle wear out over time, and transmission lines are no exception.

Eventually, these lines develop a leak or even break in the process; you would lose trans fluid as your vehicle might become vulnerable due to the situation. Therefore, a simple fix or replacement of a faulty transmission hose costs about $100 to $500.

Can I Use A Transmission Cooler Hose For Power Steering?

No, you can’t use the transmission cooler hose for power steering because the power steering hose is a high-pressure hose. The power steering hose can withstand higher temperatures and pressure than a return hose which is also a type of power steering.

The power steering fluid has over 270 degrees and a high pressure of 1500 PSI to the steering box, which the transmission cooler hose wouldn’t withstand.

The transmission cooler hoses, which don’t have high pressure and temperature, or the low pressure/return hose, do not return the fluid to the reservoir, but rather, don’t carry fluid with high pressure and temperature as the high-pressure hose (power steering hose). So it can receive less strain.

Conclusion

In my final verdict, you can use rubber hose for transmission cooling lines as regards its cheap and easy-to-install and high flexibility properties. Although rubber hose is the substitute for corroded and broken metal lines, you could easily buy them to quickly replace faulty pipes as you would cut them, join and fix them using hose clips.

However, as much as you would use a rubber hose to make a quick fix when your metal trans pipe is lousy, remember that you would have a few cons associated with using these hoses. Since they are soft and stretchy due to plasticizers which could evaporate with time, making rubber hose dry up and could lead to cracking, so far, you should be able to buy the required transmission rubber hose that would be suitable for your transmission fluid, such as I mentioned in the above work.

Notwithstanding, when using a rubber hose for transmission cooler lines, it would be better if you installed them away from your vehicle exhaust system since rubber hoses are prone to damage due to overheating.

Perchance, this overheating would cause the rubber hoses to blow down and also cause blockage to the valve body. Ensure to use the standard trans-related hoses to save your transmission system from getting any further damage. Do like and share this educative post with others!

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