F53 V10 Transmission cooler line leak

[GMA385]

I have a 2017 Jayco Precept 35s on the F53 chassis with only 5200 miles. After bringing out of winter storage I noticed a small leak in one of the tranny cooler lines. Its at what looks like a connector. I have an appointment at dealer for another issue and will add this to it. In the photo I spun the grey plastic sleeve. My question, is this a slip fitting with an o ring? Just curious as to how they fit together and seal. Thanks for any info.

[JIMBO34PA]

Quick connector with O rings. Hopefully they nicked an O ring when assembled.

[GMA385]

Originally Posted by JIMBO34PA

Quick connector with O rings. Hopefully they nicked an O ring when assembled.

Thanks Is the O ring replaceable? If so how do you get the connector apart?

[Randalpho]

The grey sleeve is a secondary lock, the quick coupler takes a special release tool that there are many versions and sizes.


If you are taking it in any ways I would leave it to them to determine the reason and change the o-rings if necessary.

[GMA385]

Originally Posted by Randalpho

The grey sleeve is a secondary lock, the quick coupler takes a special release tool that there are many versions and sizes.


If you are taking it in any ways I would leave it to them to determine the reason and change the o-rings if necessary.

Thanks yes thats my plan. I just like to know how things work, DW says OCD! but like I said if I know how things are put together and how things work then
I am able to take care of it myself if it ever happens again down the road

[GMA385]

Its been awhile since I started this thread. I still do not have the leak repaired. When I took it to the dealer for other warranty work they told me they don't do chassis/mechanical work. Said its a Ford issue. OK so I start calling Ford dealers near me and none will work on a 36' motorhome. Called ford motorhome customer service and they gave me the numbers of some Ford commercial repair facilities. The closest one to me that is willing to even look at it is a 2 1/2 hour drive one way. And they can't even get me in for a couple of weeks. My question is, is this an easy fix that I can do myself? Is it just a matter of separating the connection and replacing the O ring? Should I just go ahead and replace the entire line? Thanks to all for any input and expertise.

[RRR]

Total WAG so take it for what it is worth.

Do you have a decent size Ford dealer near by? Take your picture to parts department and see if they can guide you. Even though the dealer might not work on the F53 they should have access to parts and maybe the proper tool to dissemble.

Look for independent truck repair shop in your area. Someone might be able to do it and save you the aggravation of dealing with Ford. Independent transmission shop maybe too.

Look around on some Ford truck forums.

Pray that someone jumps in here and gives you a real answer to your problem.

[TeJay]

Gary in post #6 and RRR in post #7 gave you great advice. Just because you drive a MH does not mean that somebody else can't also fix things on it. For example electrical wiring is just that electrical wiring. A battery or starter issue is still just a starter and or battery issue.

I've never had a single class on aircraft repair but diagnosed a badly smoking WWII radial engine. Every internal combustion engine has a way to control crankcase pressures and this had a collapsed rubber tube that allowed pressures to build.

The high pressures were forcing oil past the rings. A simple $50 fix instead of a $60,000 engine rebuild. There were at least 3 A&P certified technicians circling the smoking engine telling everyone it needed to be rebuilt. A few weeks after I left town they diagnosed the hose issue.

If Ford uses a special connection for that fitting they probably use it on other vehicles as well. I remember years ago when I Ford came out with a different connector for fuel lines. If you wanted to change the filter you needed a special tool. It took maybe a year and most any parts store had that tool for about $10 bucks.

Check a Ford parts dealer or any parts dealer if there's a special tool for the hydraulic transmission hose connectors on Fords.

How about the wire horse shoe shaped tool used to remove most Ford radios. I borrowed one from a local repair shop and took the radio out in their parking lot. It does help that one of my former students owns the shop.

[GMA385]

Thanks RRR and Tejay for your input. I found a new cooler line online at Fordpartsgiant (very good site for any Ford parts even F53). Customer service was also very helpful. I also ordered a disconnect tool. Hoping its the right one. The line and tool cost me around $70. Didn't think that was too bad, it would cost me more in fuel to drive to the nearest dealer to have them look at it. It looks very straight forward to install, getting the old one off will probably be the most challenging part. Thanks again and I'll post the results when I get the shipment and install it.

[ga traveler]

I was leaving my daughters house and she ran out and said, Dad you are leaking fluid everywhere. I looked and there was a trail of liquid behind me. I found a hole in the transmission line. Battery acid had dripped onto the line and eat a hole in it. My first thought was to do as you are talking about and replace the whole line. The problem was threading the line back through the engine area. It was just too long and twisting. I bought a short line from O'reilly auto parts and bent it to match the old one. I cut off the last 18 inches of line. I joined the two lines with a brass water compression fitting. Two years now and no problems. Before changing out the line, I would take it apart and look carefully at the mating surfaces of the line. If they are OK I would just replace the O'ring. If it leaks with the new o'ring then I would replace the line.

[GMA385]

Wanted to update my thread. As I said I ordered a new cooler line and disconnect tool (pics attached). Took me less than an hour to remove old line and install new one. Like I thought the hardest part was disconnecting old lines. For whatever reason the line is sold as an assembly so that means 4 connectors. Once I figured out how the disconnect tool worked they came apart fairly easily. I'm not sure why the lines loop around like that. Did lose some fluid while the line was apart so I had to buy a quart of Mercon LV. I'm going to contact Ford customer service to see if they will reimburse me for the line since its still under warranty but I'm not expecting them to come through. I'm just glad its fixed seeing I couldn't find a dealer or repair shop to even look at it. Anyways thanks to all for your input, safe travels

[Waiter21]

Thanks for reporting back. Do you see any o-rings on the old line that could be replaced?

[GMA385]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

Thanks for reporting back. Do you see any o-rings on the old line that could be replaced?

Yes there are 2 O rings. One near the top and the other a little farther in. The one near the top has a split in it and when I first saw that I thought thats where the leak came from. But all 4 of the connectors looked the same and only the one was leaking. I think the deeper O ring is the one that seals. Not sure what the other one is for. As far as it being replaceable I'm not sure. I am going to check into it more. If its replaceable I will probably do it to the one I removed and have it as a spare, although hopefully I won't need it.

[max49]

Very Good for you, you fixed it yourself.

I used to have a Workhorse chassis motorhome and I often thought, I wish I had a Ford because there are Ford dealers every where if I need service,
uh, not!
Denver area, 3,000,000 people , 1 shop to do F-53 warranty work