Automatic tranny cooling line leaking at radiator

[Duane Becker]

I have a 1990 Ranger xlt 2.9 automatic 4x4. I just noticed a leak where the cooling line for the tranny goes into the top of the radiator. I've included pictures, you can see the wetness on the black plastic side of the radiator. The connection is tight and secure, and a new radiator was installed recently by a shop, but I cant reach the shop for some reason-not answering the phone. If I were to unscrew this and try to fix it on my own, how easy/hard is it. I don't believe I have worked with this type of connection, plus I'm very limited in mechanics-but seems like an easy thing to try and fix. Its not dripping, but seems to be weeping more less, maybe through the threads. Would using teflon tape on the threads work. I'm afraid of getting anything in the system like that teflon tape. Any suggestions???

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

The brass fitting that’s threaded into the radiator can get teflon tape, it’s a national pipe thread. The fitting that is holding the pipe in, is a flared fitting. Teflon tape won’t do anything for that, remove it and inspect the mating surface for burs or debris. You can clean it and try smoothing it out with emory cloth. But make sure to completely clean out any debris from smoothening it out.

 

[Duane Becker]

Thanks Rowdy for your reply. I took the truck to a shop to look at. They have been looking at the radiator not the connection fittings. Fittings all seem to be dry, which I did note at first but thought it was leaking back through the threads of the connection fittings-since it was a new radiator. But it is indeed the radiator leaking just beyond the fittings.