Fuel hose used for transmission

[beastie_3]

Is fuel hose ok to be used for th350 cooler lines? I figure the ATF wont eat the line, but will it stand up to the heat? I know its not the correct way, but it is whats available at the moment.

[zieg85]

For a temporary fix it should be alright.  Where the stock lines run it gets fairly close to the exhaust manifold so keep it as far away as possible and replace it with steel lines as soon as you can.

[beastie_3]

I have the stock steel lines in place and hooked up to the radiator. The rubber will be for a external cooler. Hot line into radiator, then rubber line from radiator outlet to a external cooler, then rubber line back to cold steel line.

[TexasRed]

I wouldn't use it. They make rubber transmission hose??

[beastie_3]

yes.

[Blazin]

Fuel line will not last very long. ATF will eat it in a few weeks.
 You need hydraulic return line. Any shop or parts store that makes hydraulic houses will have rolls of it in stock. If you want a real nice job you can slide a flare nut over the cooler ends. Flare it, and use female push lock / barbed return line fittings that the flare nuts will thread into. Same goes for the tube coming from the transmission, re flare it and thread it into the push lock. Use male push lock on the radiator end.

[Irish_Alley]

i had a leak in my metal transmission lines on my 94. used F.I. fuel line and that was at least 2 years ago still holding up i just checked on it last oil change. i will say i dont know if its the elements its exposed to but its all cracked up but its not leaking and its only a foot or so and its not near exhaust heat lol

[ssapach]

I've used rubber fuel hose for transmission lines on my off-road rig.  It's for a 700R4 but I used several feet for hot and cold sides and it was on there for over 2 years.

I didn't drive it a lot, but it still sat with the fluid in it for that time.

[beastie_3]

I figure the ATF wont eat it since fuel seems to be more coorosive, just wondering if it can handle the heat cycles. Ill probably just end up searching around for the proper stuff. My closest auto store only has fuel line.

[Blazin]

I tried it a couple times when I was younger. One of them blew lunch and caught my truck on fire. Upon later inspection of the unburnt area of the hose it was all spongy, and when I squeezed it ATF came out of the rubber. Thats the last time I have used it except once to get out of the woods when I was wheeling. Front drive shaft blew lunch and took out the lines. Had to make a couple patches to by pass the smashed tubing. Got it home and replaced the steel lines the next day.

[Irish_Alley]

Did you use injection line or regular fuel line

[beastie_3]

either one

[Stewart G Griffin]

This thread is making me nervous---in a good way;

i've got rubber hose(possibly fuel line, not sure) splicing together prexisting trans line on the cavalier for over 4 years now because the dealer wanted i think $124 for a new one and i said, being cheap, no way.   So, i've put at least 50,000 miles after this "modification."


i think i will buy the real trans line now.


P.S. Also, as far as the trans fluid "eating" the lines, isn't trans fluid just hydraulic fluid?

[Irish_Alley]

either one

i wouldn’t think regular line would hold up with the pressure and heat thats why i used injection line

[chevymanrob]

i dont believe that the ATF will "eat" the fuel line, but the plain jane fuel line has a lower pressure capacity than the trans cooler line. i try my best to use the correct trans cooler line or when possible i prefer power steering return line. its is the strongest. and i ALWAYS double clamp rubber lines...it scares me to be at the big end of the track at 113+ and having a fluid leak!!!

iirc it breaks down kinda like this...
fuel line is rated for 10 or so PSI
trans cooler is rated for 25 or so PSI
F.I. line is rated for 70 or so PSI

i did some research on it years ago when i was slinging parts for a living.