I hate hack fixes, and I especially despise people who promote hack fixes. When I rebuilt the engine in my truck, there were those who professed that the best thing in the world to do for the truck is to remove the line with the ball-check valve for the transmission. Well, a previous owner had already done that to the truck, and DUMB ME didn't replace it with the proper line, but rather some soft line to go between the hard line and the radiator.

This morning, on the way to work, it let loose and blew transmission fluid about a quarter mile. I had the truck towed to a friend's (thank GOD for AAA) and then rented a POS Kia. We found where the line broke, and I'm PRAYING all I have to do is replace the line, add fluid, and she'll drive. I just need it to last another month before I can pull the transmission to rebuild. I checked the truck with the code reader, and it was throwing a code for the transmission fluid being too hot, which I suspect is because there was not much fluid left as it was being slung out of the hose crack.

Any opinions or suggestions are welcome.

 

Sounds like you know what to do.
Fix the line and refill. Maybe say a little prayer.
I'm sure the trans is hurt but how bad is the question.
I've seenthis happen and be OK.
I've seenthis happen and be trashed.
How far did you drive it after you noticed it slipping?
Does the rest of the fluid smell burnt?

 

Not very far at all. It let loose right when I was turning a corner from a stop sign. I rounded the corner and noticed that the truck just wouldn't pick up, it was gradually losing power. I coast a ways and then turned it around so that I could coast/roll back to the intersection so AAA wouldn't have any problems locating me.

 

Good news or bad news on the tranny?

 

Hey VW,

I'm confused, are you PO'ed at the folks that talked you into revoming the check valve, or you for using the wrong soft line. I've thought about pulling that check valve just so I can drain the cooler and flush it out next time I dump the trans fluid.

 

Oh, a bit of both. Stupid me probably didn't check on the type of soft-line that the parts guy sold me, as I'm thinking it may have been some type of bypass hose for smaller cars in the cooling system. I replaced it with some high-pressure fuel injection hose, which should be good for the time being, meaning until I get the Super running.

I started a thread asking who has rebuilt his own transmission. In it is a link to a place I've found that sells many high performance and superior parts for the Dodge transmission, including the lower line with the check ball removed. That's the way to "fix" the check ball problem, not removing the line and replacing it with clamped on soft hose. If I were you, Squirrel, I'd rip out the check ball guts and keep the old line in place as you will have the proper connectors and rated strength hose.

 

Thanks for the reply,

I'm glad someone else posts up their fumbles around here, it saves others from having to go thru the same agony. I know I'd feel bad if anybody else had to pay $500 for attempting the wheel cylinder swap that was botched on my '01. The parts don't fit an 01 correctly and it isn't worth it IMO.

 

Oh hell no. We all learn and make mistakes, and it's best to share that knowledge with others. I hate it in this forum, and the VW forum, when someone pops in with a question or an idea, and never follows through with the results. As you can tell, I get very detail oriented in the threads I start. There are too many threads in this forum regarding removing the heater core, but only a couple with explicit details, and one of which was promoted to the DIY sticky, based on my recommendation. When I rebuild the transmission on this truck, I will take loads of pictures and post everything I learn.


BTW - I had posted on this thread last night, but for some reason it didn't stick to the thread. After I removed the swelled, split line, I installed the fuel injection soft line. I smelled the transmission dipstick, and it had a "hot" but not "burnt" smell to it (whew!). About 7 quarts of ATF 4+ later, I fired up the truck and let it idle about 10 minutes. I ran it through the gears, with the torque converter engaging everything but 1 and 2. I checked the fluid level, which was mid-way between Min and Max. I added another quart, which almost brought it fullly Max. I let it idle anotehr 10 mintes and went for a quick ½ mile drive. It shifted well and minor inclines didn't bother it. So, I drove my truck and my friend drove the POS little Kia rental back to my house. All it needs to do is get me by for about a month and I'm gold.

 

Where is the check valve? I had the shop remove it when they put the tranny in and I want to make sure it isn't a line like this. Where can I get the whole lower line you don't have to clamp together? Any pictures of where it is? Thanks.