Help! Z06 trans cooler line install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 220
Likes: 109
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Help! Z06 trans cooler line install
I'm trying to reinstall my radiator on an '08 Z06, and I am at a complete loss on how to reconnect the trans cooler lines into the trans cooler. The cooler itself seems to be free in the radiator tank, and when I try to thread the lines into the cooler, it just pushes the cooler away (toward the front of the car). I have no way to hold the cooler while trying to install the lines, and I cannot find anything online about this issue, although anyone that takes their radiator out would have this problem. My best guess is that the cooler is supposed to be mounted in the radiator, and mine has broken somehow.
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 186
From: Fauquier, VA
Are you referring the the clips in this diagram. There are # 22 and #23.
https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.c...rimLevel=25942
https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.c...rimLevel=25942
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
I'm trying to reinstall my radiator on an '08 Z06, and I am at a complete loss on how to reconnect the trans cooler lines into the trans cooler. The cooler itself seems to be free in the radiator tank, and when I try to thread the lines into the cooler, it just pushes the cooler away (toward the front of the car). I have no way to hold the cooler while trying to install the lines, and I cannot find anything online about this issue, although anyone that takes their radiator out would have this problem. My best guess is that the cooler is supposed to be mounted in the radiator, and mine has broken somehow.
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
Separate each hard line from its fitting by disengaging the clip with a pick tool and pulling the line straight out. Then thread the fittings back into the radiator. Install the radiator, and pop the hard lines back into the fittings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 186
From: Fauquier, VA
The fittings you're threading into the radiator are supposed to stay on the radiator.
Separate each hard line from its fitting by disengaging the clip with a pick tool and pulling the line straight out. Then thread the fittings back into the radiator. Install the radiator, and pop the hard lines back into the fittings.
Separate each hard line from its fitting by disengaging the clip with a pick tool and pulling the line straight out. Then thread the fittings back into the radiator. Install the radiator, and pop the hard lines back into the fittings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 881
Likes: 257
From: Phoenix, AZ
Yeah disconnect the lines like the guys above said. The fittings go into the tank inside the radiator, not the radiator itself. So if they were removed, the tank kind if floats inside the radiator and sometimes it can be extremely hard to reattach new fittings. If you can get one, you can get the other by holding one of the fittings. Honestly you just have to play with it for a while and pray it eventually threads in. My advice would be don’t press hard, try to let the threads grab lightly while the tank is still accessible (before it gets pushed in too far). Or maybe try a strong thin magnet? It’s a pain. Way easier if the lines are disconnected from the fittings, and then just disconnect them for future work instead of removing the fittings.
Last edited by Creatre; May 10, 2020 at 11:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 220
Likes: 109
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Yep, yall are right, I was able to put the radiator face down on a table and the fittings were easy to thread in. Had one line pop off on me once the engine was running, but I don't think the black ring was properly seated (the snap clip is installed) There was a little bit of milk that came out, but I'm assuming that's from the slight fluid/coolant mixture that occurred when the cooler dropped down in the radiator. Thanks for the quick responses.
