Looks like I finally need to replace the leaking oil lines on my 96 Jimmy. Had no problem with the cooler lines, but the ones to the block look like they might be trouble. Any tricks to getting this done?

Do I need to unbolt the driverside motor mount and raise the engine to get enough clearance, or will it come out without it?

 

I changed the same lines out a few years ago and didn't have too much problems. It is a bit tight but no need to unbolt the motor mount and lift the engine.

Oh, and now I need to do it again!!!

 

Depending on how much the motor mounts have sagged over time, you may have to unbolt them, but try just jacking the engine up at first if necessary.

 

Thanks for the help.
If I find that I need to unbolt the mount, can I just take out the horizontal through bolt? Will that allow me to lift the motor?

Is it OK to jack on the oil pan?

 

Yeah, just remove the horizontal thru bolt and you should be good.

And yes, you can jack against the pan, but you will want to use a piece of wood to spread out the load and, of course, don't go nuts trying to lift the whole truck up on the oil pan!

 

Where did you get your lines from and what brand were they? I need to do mine soon and I really don't want to do it again "in a few years". I'm looking at getting the Dorman, but if that isn't going to last very long I'll look for some others.

 

I believe I need to replace my oil cooler lines also. Will these leaking lines also appear as a leaking oil filter? I've been trying different oil filters (K&N, Fram and today AC Delco) and they all appear to leak, I'm wondering if it's the cooler lines causing this.

 

what i did was take a drummel to the alum. crimped ends on the lines and cut them off very carefully. then got some high pressure tranny line and slipped it over the connectors and adjustable clamps for the win. cheap and has not leaked in over 3 years. problem with the factory lines is that over time the aluminum crimps contract and expand then that leads to seepage and hence the leak. i know that this fix might not be "correct" but it works. if anyone wants pics let me know i will take and post some.

 

You've got me looking into converting over to -AN now. If it can work for power steering, it should work for oil as long as the temperature rating is correct.

However now that I've looked, I just need to do some cutting and add crimps to the hose that is already there. Is the aluminum hose ends ****** under the crimped areas?

 

I was looking at Plews & Edelmann cooler lines as an alternative to the Dorman lines, has anyone had any experience with them?