Fluid Cooler Tube Removal

new 08/26/2004

Upper right side of radiator, as seen from inside car, has stainless fitting that is most likely for trans. It appears to be a pressure fitting. No nuts, washer, etc. Is it safe to assume you pull the clip and wiggle the little dude outta there??

Larry

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Fluid Cooler Steel Tubes Using Push-Connect Fittings— At Radiator

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED Description Tool Number
3/8 Inch Fuel Line Disconnect Tool (Blue) T90T-9550-C

If leakage is noted at transaxle fluid tube connector at the radiator, disconnect cooler line using 3/8 Inch Fuel Line Disconnect Tool (Blue) T90T-9550-C. Remove cooler line.

Remove push connect fitting from radiator.

Install 3/8 inch angled flare fitting into radiator. Tighten fitting to 24-31 Nm (18-22 lb-ft).

Cut approximately 76-102 mm (3-4 inches) from existing cooler line.

Using new cooler line steel tubing (or equivalent of SAE J526 welded low carbon lead/tin coated 10 mm (3/8 inch) OD), cut a piece of sufficient length. Shape it to connect the existing line to the new flare fitting.

Clean all cut ends of both lines with the blade edge of the cutting tool to avoid line restrictions. Clean metal particles from the tube ends.

Install flare nut 87944-S8 or equivalent on the radiator end of the new cooler line section.

Connect the new cooler line section to the existing cooler line using a piece of 10 mm (3/8 inch) fuel line hose and two worm drive hose clamps. Use a sufficient length of fuel line hose to achieve a 38-51 mm (1-1/2 to 2-inch) overlap of the ends of the cooler lines.

Connect the cooler line to the flare fittings and tighten to 16-24 Nm (12-17 lb-ft).

Fluid Cooler Tubes Using Push Connect Fitting—At Transaxle

Removal

If leakage is noted with the fluid cooler tube at the transaxle, remove the retaining clip at the fitting.

Manually squeeze/depress the tabs on the plastic insert/retainer in the push-connect fitting and disconnect the fluid cooler tube by pulling it from the fitting.

Remove the push-connect fitting from the transaxle and discard.

Fluid Cooler Tubes Using Push Connect Fitting—At Transaxle

Item Part Number Description
1 7D273 Oil Tube Connector
2 — Spacer
3 — Insert/Retainer
4 — Body
5 — O-Ring (2 Req'd)
6 — Retaining Clip

Installation

The following installation procedure is to be used when push connect-type fittings are available. It is followed by procedure number 2, that is to be used when push connect-type replacement parts are not available.

Install new push connect fitting into transaxle and tighten to 24-31 Nm (18-22 lb-ft).
Connect cooler tube to transaxle by inserting into the fitting until the retainer engages the first tube bead. (A definite click should be heard.) Pull back on cooler tube to make sure it is fully engaged.
Install retaining clip.
The following installation procedure is to be used when push connect-type replacement parts are not available.

Install angled flare fitting in transaxle. Tighten fitting to 24-31 Nm (18-22 lb-ft).
Cut approximately 76-102 mm (3-4 inches) from the existing cooler line.
Using new cooler line steel tubing (equivalent of SAE J526 welded low-carbon lead/tin coated 10 mm (3/8 inch) OD), cut a piece of sufficient length and shape it to connect the existing line to the new flare fitting.
Clean all cut ends of both lines with the blade edge of the cutting tool to avoid the line restrictions. Clean metal particles from the tube ends.
Install flare nut 87944-S8 or equivalent on the transaxle end of the new cooler line section.
Connect the new cooler line section to the existing cooler line section using a piece of 10 mm (3/8 inch) fuel line hose and two worm drive hose clamps. Use a sufficient length of fuel line hose to achieve a 38-51 mm (1-1/2 to 2-inch) overlap of the ends of the cooler lines.
Connect the cooler line to the flare fitting and tighten to 16-24 Nm (12-17 lb-ft).
Fluid Cooler Line Disconnect Tool Usage—Push Connect Fittings—At Radiator

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED Description Tool Number
3/8 Inch Fuel Line Disconnect Tool (Blue) T90T-9550-C

NOTE: On some applications, it may not be possible to insert the removal tool into the fitting due to vehicle component interference. If this condition exists, the transaxle fluid tube connector must be removed from the radiator without disconnecting the transaxle fluid cooler inlet tube. Turning the connector without removing the cooler line may damage the internal O-ring of the connector causing a leak. If the fitting is removed without disconnecting the cooler line first, the connector should be replaced.

For transaxle cooler line service at the radiator, the 3/8 Inch Fuel Line Disconnect Tool (Blue) T90T-9550-C is required. The illustration shows the tool end and its proper position for disassembly of tube from fitting. The purpose of the tool is to spread the duck-bill retainer to disengage the tube bead. The following steps are necessary for use of the tool.

To aid in the use of the tool, remove tube retaining clip, and then clean the road dirt from the fitting before inserting the tool into the transaxle fluid tube connector. It is also important to avoid any contamination of the fitting. Dirt in the fitting could cause an O-ring leak.

Slide tool over tube.

Align opening of tool with one of two tabs on the fitting duck-bill retainer.

Firmly insert tool into transmission fluid tube connector until it seats against tube bead. (A definite click should be heard.)

CAUTION: Do not attempt to separate cooler line from fitting by prying with another tool. This will break the plastic insert in fitting and bend the cooler lines at junction to fitting.

With thumb held against tool, firmly pull back on transaxle fluid cooler inlet tube and transaxle fluid cooler tube until they disengage from fitting.

Before assembling the lines in the fitting, inspect the plastic retainer in the fitting for a broken tab. If a tab is broken, the fitting must be replaced. Also inspect the cooler lines to make sure they are not bent at the junction of the fitting.

Tube assembly is accomplished by inserting the tube into the fitting until the retainer engages the tube bead. (A definite click should be heard.) Pull back on the tube to ensure full engagement. Install tube retaining clip.

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With regard to their special tool, might I suggest the following? AZ sells a tool that contains the proper tool within it. Of course a dremel will help the real tool appear.

Cost at AZ is about three bucks. Dremel time, about 10 minutes. Joy of beating Ford out of a little money- Priceless!!

The above quote can be attributed to Eric as he stared at what I brought back. He found the right tool!!

U.L.

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