Transmission Cooler Lines Replacement: Cost, Time to Fix, and Signs of Line Failure

November 16, 2020

A car’s engine runs at an extremely high temperature. All of the fluids in the car, including the transmission fluid, have the potential to overheat. When that happens, they can’t do their jobs well.

To overcome this issue, transmissions are designed with cooling lines. These lines pull transmission fluid from the transmission and take it to the radiator, where it cools down. They then circulate it back to the transmission where it keeps doing its job.

Like all parts of an engine, transmission cooling lines can wear out. If they break or develop a leak, you will lose transmission fluid, leaving your car vulnerable. Thankfully this is a fairly simple fix, and most transmission line repairs cost between $100 and $500 dollars.

Breakdown of Transmission Cooling Line Repair Costs

Why is there such a variance between the costs of a transmission cooling line repair? The variance is due to the different labor rates charged by various mechanics. In addition, each car is going to take a different amount of time to repair. The harder it is to reach the cooling lines, the more the repair will cost. The lines themselves are not excessively expensive, so the cost relies primarily on the amount of labor needed for the repair.

Signs Your Transmission Cooling Lines are Failing

Transmission cooling lines that aren’t working properly will cause some problems that are pretty obvious. Some things to watch for include:

Leaking transmission fluid – This is an obvious sign that your transmission has issues. Leaks where the cooling lines connect to the radiator are common. Look for red fluid when checking for leaks.
Low fluid levels – If you suspect a problem with your transmission lines, check the fluid levels using the dipstick. If the levels are low, it indicates a leak. The leak may not be in the coolant lines, but that is a good place to start the search.
Lines with visible problems – Visually inspect the cooling lines. If you see bulges, holes, or cracks, then it indicates a problem. The lines should be properly shaped.
Noises – When a transmission isn’t properly lubricated, you will notice grinding or squealing noises when you shift gears. Often, the transmission is most noisy soon after you start it up or when you shift to park after driving.
Poor shifting response – If you’re noticing that the car won’t shift easily from one gear to the next, it could be due to low transmission fluid levels. While a number of issues can lead to a poor shifting response, it could be problems with the cooling lines.
Burning smell – Finally, if you notice a burning smell from your transmission, it indicates the system is overheating. Often, problems with the lines are part of the reason for this.

If you are noticing any of these signs, act quickly. Waiting to get the vehicle repaired will only make the problem worse.

How Long Does Cooling Line Replacement Take?

Repairing the cooling line for your transmission can take quite a bit of time. You can expect to leave your vehicle at the repair shop for a day or two for this repair. Remember, transmissions are complex pieces of your engine, and the leak needs to be repaired thoroughly to protect your vehicle. The location of the leak in the engine, which dictates how hard it is to get to, as well as the severity of the leak, will impact how long the repair takes.

If you suspect that your transmission cooling lines are showing signs of an issue, the best thing to do is to reach out to a transmission specialist. My Transmission Expert is here to assist. Bring your car, truck, or SUV in to us for an inspection of your transmission, and let our experts help you determine if there is an issue that we need to address.

We have two repair shops within the Houston city limits; one is on Jones Rd near Jersey Village and the other is on Hwy 6 North and West Little York Rd. We also have a shop in the western suburb of Katy at Mason and Kingsland Blvd; our newest automotive shop in Montgomery; and another garage in Porter across the street from Kingwood.