Hey guys. My 2002 Dodge Intrepid SE is seeping transmission fluid where the return and supply lines enter the radiator. My mechanic looked at it today and said it would be an extensive job just to get access to this area. The leak is really not that bad. We decided to let it go for now. Just wondering if there are any good additives that may stop this small leak. Thanks.
Additive to stop seepage
- Thread starter rewote500
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If it like every car I've owned, there is no gasket there, it is a metal on metal fitting. I suspect a corrosion issue has created a leak. Most additives try to deal with seal issues.
Did he try to tighten it or is it that tough to get to?
I've been away from this type of stuff, so someone chime in if I am WOB.
Did he try to tighten it or is it that tough to get to?
I've been away from this type of stuff, so someone chime in if I am WOB.
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I have had this type of issue before. If there is even a little corrosion on the fitting, you are almost certianly going to make the leak worse if you try to tighten it.
At that age and miles, it's a good idea to periodically check the tranny fluid anyway, so you might as well add a pint here and there to keep up with the leak, and just look the other way.
At that age and miles, it's a good idea to periodically check the tranny fluid anyway, so you might as well add a pint here and there to keep up with the leak, and just look the other way.
The intreped uses a 5/16 hose that just pushes over the nipple and uses regular worm type hose clamps.
If you pop the upper core support off then you can acess the upper clamp, easiest to get to the lower clamp from below.
Shouldn't take more than 1/2 hr to do this and to give the clamps a twist.
If you pop the upper core support off then you can acess the upper clamp, easiest to get to the lower clamp from below.
Shouldn't take more than 1/2 hr to do this and to give the clamps a twist.
I would definitely try to tighten the connection points stop leak in trannies is a death sentence in my opinion.
As far as I know he did not do anything to it. It is fairly difficult to access. There are support beams both above and below the car that must be removed to access the radiator. He didn't seem to want to do it because he told me I would have to take it somewhere and have it lifted so it could be disassembled for access. I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow when I get it home. If I leave the car running I should be able to pinpoint the leak right?
I don't know what these "support beams" are but I work at a Radiator and AC shop and have never had to remove anything special from one of those cars to swap the radiator in or to access the trans cooler lines.
I think you need to find a better mechanic or fix it your self. It's not that bad of a job.
I think you need to find a better mechanic or fix it your self. It's not that bad of a job.
Bad language on my part... I guess they are actually called the "upper radiator crossbeam" If you look at the pic you will see this has to be removed before the radiator can be accessed. The one on top no doubt would be simple to remove. I'll have to wait till I get the car back to see why the bottom crossmember would be so difficult to remove.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/dodge...repidengine.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/dodge...repidengine.jpg
Here is a quick runthrough about the "lower radiator crossmember that needs to be removed when replacing the alternator.......
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://w05.dealerconnect.chrysler.com/service/mds2002/serviceInfo/en_US/810c6448.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.justanswer.com/questions/28jxi-how-do-i-remove-an-alternator-belt-on-dodge-intrepid-2001-with&usg=__RD2-QcK9JxbPIcV1149HgmNZ8ek=&h=548&w=640&sz=20&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=0YD0MVOqzwu4EM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddodge%2Bintrepid%2Blower%2Bradiator%2Bcross%2Bmember%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US
fficial%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
May have to copy and paste this one....Pic in upper left hand corner....
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://w05.dealerconnect.chrysler.com/service/mds2002/serviceInfo/en_US/810c6448.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.justanswer.com/questions/28jxi-how-do-i-remove-an-alternator-belt-on-dodge-intrepid-2001-with&usg=__RD2-QcK9JxbPIcV1149HgmNZ8ek=&h=548&w=640&sz=20&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=0YD0MVOqzwu4EM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddodge%2Bintrepid%2Blower%2Bradiator%2Bcross%2Bmember%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US
fficial%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 May have to copy and paste this one....Pic in upper left hand corner....
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Then I've been doing it wrong! I've never had to remove any of those parts to replace a radiator in one of those cars.
That's weird. Well I wouldn't say you are wrong, I would say if you can change them without removing the crossmembers then you da man
I'm going to take a look at it when I get it home. Maybe I can just snug up the clamps and be okay. Thanks for all the input
Get another opinion.
I am not enamored of your present mechanic.
I am not enamored of your present mechanic.
Well I see what he was saying, I just picked my car up... Here are 2 videos where a couple guys disassembled the front of one of these cars to access everything..
Video #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txDromfsKJ4
Video #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5phQNtwCJQ
Bad thing about these guys is the used DeathCool. I think I will just let the seepage go unless it gets real bad. Maybe just wait and replace the radiator sometime soon....
Video #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txDromfsKJ4
Video #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5phQNtwCJQ
Bad thing about these guys is the used DeathCool. I think I will just let the seepage go unless it gets real bad. Maybe just wait and replace the radiator sometime soon....
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