Oil Cooler Lines

[tomtom72]

Hi guys,
I think I have an oil leak from the oil lines. I know I heard that this is a common problem, or at least I think I heard it? They are not leaking at the motor end or the cooler end but at the rubber/metal transition point. Is that the common place for them to leak?

I tried over at the registry site to see if anything was noted on this subject. I guess I'm just trying to figure out why the leak happens at all at the spot where I see mine leaking. I ran the P/N and it seems this is one part the General still sells for our cars. I would be open to any suggestions on better replacement parts if anybody knows of a source that makes better lines.

Thanks a bunch!
Tom

[Aurora40]

Hmm, I notice a few drops on the garage floor now and then from where the lines/cooler is. I haven't really gotten around to investigating it, though. If it's where rubber meets metal, like at a permanent crimp, I'd think you'd need to replace the line.

Keep us/me posted as I'll probably need the same info when I look at mine!

[1990 quasar blue]

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_issues.htm#16

Is there a chance that it's running down from another spot? Maybe try cleaning it up and keep an eye on it to see if thats where it originates.
Good luck,
Mike

[tomtom72]

Hi Bob & Mike,

Bob I noticed the oil as a wet spot on the frame rail directly under the transition point when I was cleaning up under the hood. The spot was not there the last time I detailed the motor. The first thought I had was that it could be the A/C lines, as they are directly under the oil lines at this point. Yes I'm gonna watch it & I'll post up if I can actually see anything. I'm gonna use some de-greaser to clean up the mess well so I'll know for sure if the lines are leaking at that point, either set as they're both over the same stain.

Thanks Mike, I had looked at that notice and I figure when I do my cooling hoses I'm gonna give that side of the lines a good eyeball to see what's up at the motor end of them. When I noticed the stain on the frame rail I didn't have my telescoping mirror & a flashlight with me so I couldn't see much. The light in my rented garage isn't good enough for that kind of situation.

On the bright side P & G Chevy says the P/N on the lines is a good P/N, and only $99.00 + $0.79 x 2 + shipping!

Tom

[Tom]

The common leak is at the crimp joint. The new GM hoses will look different and are supposedly an improvement over the original 90 hoses. My original hoses went a long time before they started leaking.

[tomtom72]

Tom, Thank you for the info. It seemed to me that after reading the stuff over at the netreg site and looking at my particular situation that my symptoms were different. The thought had occured to me that the crimp point would be the most likely trouble spot if there was to be a trouble spot. I guess it would have been too much to ask for S/S braided lines on a 60K car. They sure would look nice, though.

Thanks for your time!


Tom

[ralph92ZR1]

Tom,
Got my 92 z last March. Did the oil cooler lines in April. Pretty straightforward. See the article in the registry by Rob Loszewski [April 29, 2005]. Only took about an hour and no more leaks. Parts cost $139 from Stoudt Auto sales. Watch for the washers and only snug up at the oil cooler fittings.
Good luck!

[tomtom72]

Hi Ralph,
Thanks for the input! Yes, I looked at the write up by Rob L over at the netreg site when I was trying to find info on my situation. It does seem a straight foward job. I'm gonna order up the parts & get'r'dunn as soon as I can. I just have to wait for my credit card to cool off a bit!


Tom

[Aurora40]

Looks like mine need replacements too. The lower hose is leaking from the crimp up near the cooler.

The write-up on the registry says to drain the oil. Mine's about 200 miles old, is this really necessary? I wouldn't think the engine is so full that it is full up to the cooler lines.

Tom, what was the best price you found? It's $107 with shipping from GMPartsDirect.

[tomtom72]

Bob I ordered mine from P&G and the parts total was 101.57 + shipping...I figure 10 bucks or so as they use brown & they're cheap. I'm developing a relationship with those guys!

I saw the same article by Rob L as you did...I'm just thinking that those hoses must be fairly full of oil & for sure I can see the mess at the cooler. I figured "what's up with draining the oil" also but Rob is a fairly precise type of guy. He is very measured when he speaks about work that he's done to his Z. I figure to drain the oil & loose the filter & hope for the best. I can't afford a big mess where I'm gonna work so I got to take every precaution, besides the oil's been in mine thru the winter anyway. I'd say let me do mine first & I'll report back but I don't have the part...it's just been shipped, maybe mid week. I got other stuff on the stove too...I'm still chasing an intermittant T/O bearing noise, I think?!? I bought a phoenix bleeder & hope it's here by the weekend. I wanna re-do my coolant & do a T-stat swap out & now I figure if the oil lines are gonna be a major mess @ the rad end maybe I should just pull the shroud and do the leaf patrol also!? Seems like the perfect time & the right thing to do! Man I hate this..."while we're here, I should do...."!!!! Oh well seems like the honeymoon's over!


Tom
Oh yea, I forgot the S/S brake hoses...which I haven't bought yet!