New coolant line leaking!

[Elopez17]

Hello, I recently installed new transmission cooler lines and a new 4.0 radiator in 1987 bronco ii. Everything bolted in as it should. I wanted to have an upgraded coolant system. But now the top hose that goes into the radiator, squirts transmission fluid. I know they say to use thread sealant. But it seems to be leaking from the gap between the bolt and the line. Is there an o ring I am missing? That goes on the flange or in the radiator. I looked in the radiator and it didn’t have one. The forums never said anything about needing a o ring when doing this upgrade. Any help is great, thanks!

 

[Uncle Gump]

There should be NO sealer or o-ring required.

Something doesn't look right to me with the line nuts. I've never seen one that looked like that... They appear to have a flange.

The line should be double flared and seals when the flare is tightened down to an opposing flare.

My guess is the flange on the line nut is not allowing the the line flare to tighten up.

 

[RobbieD]

Something doesn't look right to me with the line nuts. I've never seen one that looked like that... They appear to have a flange.

Looks like it may be a washer. If it is a washer, it shouldn't be there.

 

[Elopez17]

I’ll try to get a better picture of it when I get back home from work. What would be the next move then if that’s the problem? My original one sheared when I removed it. I haven’t seen the other ones leak yet but I haven’t let it idle long enough to see much of anything else. Because this one leaks pretty quick. Any adapters or fittings I could put on the radiator first? Or will I need to get that fitting replaced on that cooler line?

 

[Elopez17]

Here’s how it looks off, no washer. I guess fitting on the coolant line just has an edge on it. It’s meant for a 1991 explorer, maybe those coolant lines mount differently? I always heard it was direct bolt in, maybe not this one

 

[RobbieD]

Much better picture. I'm guessing that you may be missing an adapter fitting between the two pieces that has the male flair to match the tube's female flair. Lemme look at what I might have info wise.

 

[Elopez17]

Much better picture. I'm guessing that you may be missing an adapter fitting between the two pieces that has the male flair to match the tube's female flair. Lemme look at what I might have info wise.

sounds good thank you! I figured I might hit the pick n pull this weekend and see what’s on the explorers and the rangers, see what I’m missing or what I can mock up. Rather not replace the whole radiator

 

[RobbieD]

OK, found it. On my 1990 B2, that's an Explorer radiator which I added and if memory serves I either to get, or reuse, that brass-colored adapter between the original hard line fitting and the new radiator. Did your old radiator have a piece on it that looked like it?

 

[Elopez17]

OK, found it. On my 1990 B2, that's an Explorer radiator which I added and if memory serves I either to get, or reuse, that brass-colored adapter between the original hard line fitting and the new radiator. Did your old radiator have a piece on it that looked like it?

View attachment 58791
Ohhh yea it did! I did my coolant lines and radiator the same time I swapped my motor into a different body. I ended up doing whole wiring harness and tons of things. So this small detail slipped my mind. Does there need to be one for the bottom too? Do you happen to know the size of it? Thanks again

 

[RobbieD]

I'm pretty sure that it took the same adapter fitting upper and lower. I converted my B2 to a manual, so I can't verify that. And sorry, but I don't know the specs for the fitting. I can't remember if they were present on the original 2.9 radiator, or if I had to score them separately (having CRS sucks). The adapter you need must have the male side of the flair for the hard line flair to seal on. But I do think that it is the issue you have with the leaking, and good luck.

 

[Elopez17]

I'm pretty sure that it took the same adapter fitting upper and lower. I converted my B2 to a manual, so I can't verify that. And sorry, but I don't know the specs for the fitting. I can't remember if they were present on the original 2.9 radiator, or if I had to score them separately (having CRS sucks). The adapter you need must have the male side of the flair for the hard line flair to seal on. But I do think that it is the issue you have with the leaking, and good luck.

alright well hopefully I can figure something out and keep this radiator. Thanks for the help!

 

[RobbieD]

I "think" that these are are not impossible to find. I did find another image confirming two on the 4.0 Ex radiator in my 2.9 B2, and closer, in case it helps:

 

[Elopez17]

Sweet that does help. I’m sure there possible to obtain. I just saw a new radiator online that came with it. And they were removed. So I know there not fixed on the radiator

 

[JohnG]

I just replaced my radiator and it came with new adaptors like in RobbieDs photos.
Do you still have the old radiator? Maybe you can use the old adapters from that (assuming it had ones).

 

[Elopez17]

I just replaced my radiator and it came with new adaptors like in RobbieDs photos.
Do you still have the old radiator? Maybe you can use the old adapters from that (assuming it had ones).

new radiator didn’t come with any unfourtnely and my old radiator was tossed. I ended up going to pick n pull and grabbing some off a ranger. Replaced the o-ring. It’s a slow leak but it’s still leaking. I took it to the transmission shop because I needed to bring it anyways for a check up. I’ll let you guys know what they say. I also tried to find the adapters online, couldn’t find the right size. Got some ordered from autozone, didn’t fit. So a little harder to track down then I assumed.