Trans Cooler Leak? Help

[redoil]

I just had my 2000 Excursion in the garage and found oil(?) maybe trans fluid on the floor under the passenger side front. Looks like the hoses going to the trans cooler perhaps. Any advice on repairing?

[NCHornet]

Repair all depends on where the leak is. Could be a loose hose clamp, if it is the cooler itself a rad shop might be able to fix it, otherwise install the 6.0 cooler and never look back.

[dverrico]

Thanks -- I'm thinking about a 6.0 cooler anyway -- had some overheating problems pulling my Airstream trailer this summer.

[redoil]

thnx. I just won the EBay bid for $230. Can you direct me to a site where there is tech info on changing the cooler?

[NCHornet]

Pull the griil, 4 screws on top and pop the lower clips with a screwdriver. Pop the rubber cover off the top and the bottom, this will give you access to the area, a small pry bar works great to pop those clips. Then remove the hood latch and set aside (2 bolts) now remove the single bolt that holds the right side of the AC condensor, this will allow you to move the condensor out of your way, place a rag over the condensor or your arm will look like you were in a cat fight!!, now from the front remove the bolts that hold in the old cooler, cut the rubber lines about 8" and about 12" from where the hardline ends coming off the frame. I like a staggered joint here so it's not so bulky. Remove the old cooler with the old hoses attatched. Now take the 1/2" hose you bought and the two fittings that go from a 1/2" barbed fitting to a 3/8" barbed fitting. Bring the new cooler in from the top and bolt in place. Now use your adaptors and the new hose to re plumb the new cooler, tighten all the hose clamps and zip tie the hoses up and viola you're done. Took me about an hour taking my time.
The above is for a 2000 without the cooler in the rad, if you have the cooler in the rad you will tie in the new cooler with the line coming out of the rad, and the output line will plumb back into the hard line on the frame. Remember the line at the rear of the trans in the return line. If you have any ? PM me. I had a hard time finding 1/2" trans line, NAPA can get it overnight.