Hi all,

I noticed my remote oil filter line was leaking at the radiator recently (perhaps from the rest of the line too, hard to tell since everything had a nice coating of oil). Anyway, I installed a replacement Dorman set yesterday. I don't expect them to last very long, but a few months or a year for now is adequate given my situation. That said, I now have an even worse leak than before from the radiator fittings, both upper and lower. I used the new blue E clips and installed them per my manual, so they shouldn't have gotten bent. Both oil lines have a small amount of back and forth play, but I don't understand how they could possibly seat any more securely with only that stupid spring clip holding them in place. Is there an O ring inside the fitting which can be changed? Also, if I need to change the metal fittings on the radiator, what size should I be looking for? My local parts store lists several for my vehicle in different sizes, all listed as the fitting for the trans oil cooler....but this is the engine oil side. Further, if I remove the new blue clips to change the fitting, can I reuse them now? My parts store doesn't seem to stock the clips by themselves...which puts me in quite a pickle either way with getting these parts. I apologize for the list of questions, but it seems like an issue with many answers based on my searches here. Thank you all in advance!

 

There IS an O-ring inside the fitting, but it's easier in my opinion to just replace the entire fitting... I went through the same situation a little while back when I replace the actual lines on mine. The lower started leaking after replacing the lines, so I went ahead and replaced both fittings.


There shouldn't be any issues with you reusing the clips, there's actually not a lot of force on them, they're just holding the lines in place to the radiator. It's normal for there to be a little plan in the lines in the fittings, so long as there's not a lot of tension pulling down on the lines or anything; that will certainly cause the O-ring in the fitting to fail in short time.


I did discover that the Dorman replacement fitting you can get at most parts stores is the EXACT same fitting, down to the manufacturer ID stamped on the side of it, that a dealership will sell you in a AC Delco branded wrapping for $3 more lol