removing oil cooler lines on AWD

[photo_van]

Alright, I've read everything (I think) on oil lines. I found a post from '07 re AWD but who out there has actually removed them? I'd like to hear from you. It looks to me that GM couldn't have put the engine clamp in a worse place I might have to wait for these lines to get a lot worse before I dive into it.

How come no one told me to do this when I had the entire front end apart? #-o

[Stroverlander]

I replaced mine a year or two ago with Dorman lines but you can rebuild yours easily enough if they are leaking at the crimp connections. It was not easy from a time standpoint as clearance is minimal. The mounting bolt was difficult to access and I remember there being a lot of 1/8 turn at a time to remove.

Installing/routing the new lines was even more fun trying to route the lines through everything blocking their path. I didn't reinstall the clamp/bolt I used some polyurethane hose over the lines where they run along the oil pan and zip-tied them to prevent any rubbing. Double, or triple however long you thought it was going to take!

[photo_van]

Thanks for that Strover, so it IS somehow possible to get to that clamp bolt! I'll take a closer look when the wind stops blowing. And yes, I am planning on rebuilding them as described in previous threads.

[astrozam]

Alright, I've read everything (I think) on oil lines. I found a post from '07 re AWD but who out there has actually removed them? I'd like to hear from you. It looks to me that GM couldn't have put the engine clamp in a worse place I might have to wait for these lines to get a lot worse before I dive into it.

While I didn't have an AWD I did get rid of the oil cooler lines, had no problems with over-heating and even towed with it but its the kinda thing where some folks feel better replacing/rebuilding them.

[photo_van]

Thanks AZ, I did read your tread about that, thanks for posting it. Tempting, but it does get pretty hot down below here in the summer (105°). Plus spring road trips in the deserts... Anyone know if the rubber ever fails catastrophically, or is it just a weeping nuisance?

[1Gary]

The oil cooler adapter "O" ring is also a suspect in leaking giving the appearance the oil lines are leaking.That "O" ring is a real bear to replace because it is crushed between two flats without a groove to hold it in place and you can't see it completely.

[photo_van]

Well Stroverlander, you are a better man then I! Surprisingly, I found I could get the 10mm clamp bolt with a ratchet. The clips at the radiator were a bit difficult due to the aspect they were installed. I managed to fish the lower line (of the upper assembly) over the diff, but found it beyond my puzzle solving capacities to get the longer, upper line, fished thru.

I ended up just cutting the flex lines and then the lower unit was fairly easy to wiggle out from under the car. I then followed the procedures spelled out in the repair thread(s) using non-braided, 1/2" hydraulic line. I then clamped the hoses to the bottom tubes using two hose clamps each. I plugged the ends of the hoses so they wouldn't fill with grut when I pushed them through above the axle.

I figured the retaining clamp on the motor above the diff. was going to be impossible to re-install. However, before installing the lower assembly I found it easier to get the retaining clamp bolt started. I then cut a slot to the hole in the retaining clamp. This allowed me to slide the retaining clamp under the bolt as I wiggled the lower unit into place.

I know this is all useless w/o photos but my hands were just way to greasy to handle a $5000 camera [-X For anyone doing the job in the future, it will make sense, I hope.

Once the lower assembly is in place it is easy to install the upper ridged lines to the flex lines in the engine compartment. Again I used two hose clamps per line. I had started this job with the lower fan shroud in place, but found it much easier once I removed it.

Oh, and the question I couldn't find an answer for:you don't need to drain the oil to do this job. You will loose about a cup or two.

Now, the only thing left is the fuel pump?

[Stroverlander]

Good work! =D>

Yeah, talk about a frustrating experience, spent a few hours under the van on that one. Good tip on slotting the clamp to slide it onto the fastener.