I think I've got a problem...

[Rob Mayercik]

When I mounted up this morning in Denver, I happened to look down past the water pump on my rig and saw what appears to be one of my transmission cooler lines leaking where the change from hard line to rubber occurs.

It looks wet for a good six inches or more down from the metal-rubber changeover, and there's a wet spot on the rubber splash mat. It didn't look too fresh, so I decided to head on out and check the level down the road a little once it was warmed up.

When I stopped to check it, the fluid level looked okay, but the wet spots looked fresher. I ran a few more miles up I-76, and found a Conoco off of Hudson Drive (Exit 31) where I could find an open WiFi access point.

Considering how unpopulated I-76 between Denver and Nebraska is, I'm concerned about the line letting go in the middle of nowhere. I could use a recommendation on a reputable place to get this checked out (and fixed, most likely). As I am not that far out of Denver, I'm willing to backtrack if necessary.

Anyone with suggestions, please post them here, or call my cell (908-347-4758). I'm going to just nip inside (get a drink, hit the restroom), but I'll be back online in a few minutes.

Rob

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Anyone?

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Rob,

Go get yourself 4 small hose clamps and a new length of power steering/trans cooler line - fuel line would work in a pinch too.

The pressures for that line aren't real high - it's a return line that loops out from and back to the transmission. 2 clamps on each end of the hose on the metal lines will hold it fine. Using a large philips screwdriver or some other tool that can be put into the metal line to flare it out a bit will help hold the hose on the line once it's clamped.

The metal that is pinched around the rubber hose where it meets the metal line will need to be cut off, but other than that, it's a pretty straight forward fix.

Give a call if you need help with it.

720-879-1399

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Update:

While I was waiting, I decided to call AAA and see who they could point me at. They found me an AAMCO in Brighton that can fit me in, so I'm heading that way now.

Rob

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Update:

While I was waiting, I decided to call AAA and see who they could point me at. They found me an AAMCO in Brighton that can fit me in, so I'm heading that way now.

Rob

Ouch....... AAMCO = $$$$

But, ya gotta do what you're comfortable with. Best of luck and hopefully you'll be back on the road soon!

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Ouch....... AAMCO = $$$$

But, ya gotta do what you're comfortable with. Best of luck and hopefully you'll be back on the road soon!

I think I am more comfortable with this - If I were only a couple hours' drive home I might have tried your field fix. I did save it to a text file on my hard drive, though, just in case I ever need it in the future. With as long as I have to go, though, this feels like the better solution for me.

Thinking back, I'm wondering if the entire cooler line is shot, and the occasional dribble I was seeing on the trip out was an early sign of this. Additionally, perhaps some of what I thought was dust on Saturday evening coming out of Elephant Hill was ATF smoke also. The hardline is looking rather rusty - it's between 5 and 10 years old, so it may be ready to go in other places as well.

They just pulled it into a bay to have a look, so I expect to have a diagnosis shortly. At least I caught this before it lost any significant amount of fluid (not to mention I'm glad it didn't suffer a catastrophic failure while I was crossing the mountains last night).

More news as it comes in.

Rob

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Oops, neglected to see that you're from NJ....... rusty lines would definitely complicate that fix.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Update from "the front":

Turns out the two transmission cooler lines were totally shot, the two pinion seals are leaking a little, and the rear main seal is leaking a bit too.

Rather than risk a catastrophic failure, I am having it all done - he's cutting me a break on the labor for the rear main, and even gave me the keys to his own truck so I could go off and get some lunch. He said he'd have me back on the road by the end of the day, even if he had to work late.

Unfortunately, when I returned from lunch, we ran into something else - both the yokes have grooves in them where the seal rides. Try to just put in a new seal, and it could spit the seals. They tried buffing out the grooves, but they are apparently too deep. They're checking now on whether they can get sleeves to put on so we don't have to go hunting for replacement yokes.

Another update: Before I got done typing this, their parts runner got back already - they were able to get one sleeve kit from the NAPA next door to the AAMCO shop, and they're already on the phone looking for a second one.

Keep thinking good thoughts for me, guys.


Rob

 

[Rob Mayercik]

More news: none of the other parts houses nearby have another sleeve kit, but they're checking with NAPA again now on how fast they can get another - if there's one down in Denver, he'll send someone down there for it.

Keeping my fingers crossed...


Update: Found one at a location 20 minutes away, they got someone going out the door as I type - should have it back here in an hour!

 

[Rob Mayercik]

And the hits just keep on coming:

Just found out that not only are the two cooler lines shot, but the pressure hardline that runs from the radiator back to somewhere in the middle of the engine block to meet up with the rubber/metal main cooler line is not just toasted, it's blown (he's never seen one go before, and for all I know it's original). They're trying to find one now.

This should be the last thing, though.

Edit: Damn, the Jeep gods are smiling on me today - they found the line.

 

[Hypoid]

"Some days you eat the baaaaar, some days the baaaaar eats you"...From the movie "The Big Lebowski".

How does the cost of parts and labor compare to NJ? In that context alone, you just may have hit the lottery.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Well, after the break he's giving me, the RMS is running me about $250-275 in labor. It's been so long since I had the last one done, I don't remember what it ran me back home.

Slight new hitch - the second sleeve is wrong. They're working on it, though.

As long as I get back on the road, I'm considering it a good thing. These poor guys are running all over creation for me.

 

[philip_g]

geeze what a terrible end to a trip. heck of a haul you made out here though

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

Update from "the front":

Turns out the two transmission cooler lines were totally shot, the two pinion seals are leaking a little, and the rear main seal is leaking a bit too.

Rather than risk a catastrophic failure, I am having it all done - he's cutting me a break on the labor for the rear main, and even gave me the keys to his own truck so I could go off and get some lunch. He said he'd have me back on the road by the end of the day, even if he had to work late.

Unfortunately, when I returned from lunch, we ran into something else - both the yokes have grooves in them where the seal rides. Try to just put in a new seal, and it could spit the seals. They tried buffing out the grooves, but they are apparently too deep. They're checking now on whether they can get sleeves to put on so we don't have to go hunting for replacement yokes.

Another update: Before I got done typing this, their parts runner got back already - they were able to get one sleeve kit from the NAPA next door to the AAMCO shop, and they're already on the phone looking for a second one.

Keep thinking good thoughts for me, guys.


Rob

Your kidding right......man you are going for one hell of a ride!!

 

[Rob Mayercik]

geeze what a terrible end to a trip. heck of a haul you made out here though

Not what I wanted to have happen on the second day of the run home, but it would have been hella worse if the rear main, either of the pinion seals, or one of the transmission cooler lines had entirely let go on the road. Thank heaven I caught it all when it was just starting to fail.

However, all the good thoughts are paying off since one of the techs just scored the sleeve kit we needed for the second yoke - now all we need is for the parts runner to get back from the Jeep dealer on 104th Street with that other cooler line.

ColoradoRaptor: Unfortunately, I'm not kidding, and yeah, it's been a bit of a ride today, but at least I'll have peace of mind that I'll actually make it home now. The folks at the shop have had quite a ride too - they've been chasing around all afternoon getting all the parts in for me, in addition to all the other craziness they've had today.

Rob

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

Well, I am glad everything is turning out ok for ya!! Have a safe trip!!

 

[sprngfldxj]

It would have been bad if you had failed out in the middle of Neb! Not that Neb. is a bad place (pretty good football team?), but I have been through there before and it can get remote in places, and if caught after hours, you could have a "cleetus" day?!
Some times the peace of mind is worth the money!
God Bless Man, and Drive safe! It's too bad that you couldnt have broke down near the "Bass Pro-shops" and spent more fun $$?

 

[Kaczman]

Damn, Rob. I just saw this post. I live 10 min from there. You can crash at my place if you're stuck in CO for the night.

-Jon

 

[Rob Mayercik]

It would have been bad if you had failed out in the middle of Neb! Not that Neb. is a bad place (pretty good football team?), but I have been through there before and it can get remote in places, and if caught after hours, you could have a "cleetus" day?!
Some times the peace of mind is worth the money!
God Bless Man, and Drive safe! It's too bad that you couldnt have broke down near the "Bass Pro-shops" and spent more fun $$?

That's how I'm looking at it - better I get it dealt with now rather that really far out into the western ass end of nowhere.

There's now a little confusion on the cooler line, though - looks like the pressure line is one piece instead of two, and the correct one should be on its way here shortly.

Rob

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Damn, Rob. I just saw this post. I live 10 min from there. You can crash at my place if you're stuck in CO for the night.

-Jon

Thanks for the offer, but I already have a room booked at the Comfort Inn over on Brighton Road. I'm going to just call it a day and start over tomorrow.

Of course, if you want to get together for a drink this evening I'd be interested - if you PM me your number, I can give you a ring after I'm checked in and ready for a light supper and perhaps a brandy chaser.

Rob