Transmission Cooler Lines

[abrusnahan]

Hey guys,

I recently put my 2002 Audi A4 (Auto, 4-door) in the shop to have some things worked on. They told me that the Transmission Cooler Lines need to be replaced. They said that because of COVID and the fact that Audis are a bi**h to work on, the lines had to come straight from Germany and would cost around $900 (not including labor).

Granted, I'm no mechanic by any means, but that just seems ridiculously high. Especially since it doesn't include labor. And they would need to replace those lines to really gauge if the transmission was good. So even if I shelled out the big bucks for the lines, theres a chance that the car might need even more MAJOR work done.

This seemed to be a recent thing too. I was able to drive it to the mechanic with very little issue. I did notice it was shifting a little off but not enough to really trigger me to think something was wrong. Well after they told me that and I told them I wasn't interested, I drove it back to my house and I barely made it. Transmission fluid was dumping out and I pretty much had to time stop signs and stop lights to where I didn't completely stop.

If transmission cooler lines are really going to cost me that much, I don't think I'm interested in owning this car anymore. I only paid $1k for it.

Somebody shed some light on this for me?

[Turbo510]

On a $1,000 car you could be forgiven for just cutting the bad section of steel line out, and using an appropriately-sized rubber hose (for ATF use) and clamps. You obviously need the transmission fluid topped up before it can drive again, at the very least.

[john_gonzo]

Another option - grab a line from a salvaged car.
LKQ Pick Your Part, 100 Ward Rd, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405

Price list says transmission line is $8.79.

Hours:
9 - 5 Mon-Fri
8 - 5 Saturday
9 - 5 Sunday

LKQ will also pull parts and ship them.

[abrusnahan]

Another option - grab a line from a salvaged car.
LKQ Pick Your Part, 100 Ward Rd, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405

Price list says transmission line is $8.79.

Hours:
9 - 5 Mon-Fri
8 - 5 Saturday
9 - 5 Sunday

LKQ will also pull parts and ship them.

I checked LKQ and they have a 2003 Audi A4 but I couldn't find an option where they would pull it themselves and ship it. Where do you see that option?

[abrusnahan]

On a $1,000 car you could be forgiven for just cutting the bad section of steel line out, and using an appropriately-sized rubber hose (for ATF use) and clamps. You obviously need the transmission fluid topped up before it can drive again, at the very least.

What is some of the alternate terminology for transmission cooler line? I was looking on eBay and I'm seeing listings like this:

Genuine Auto Transmission Oil Cooler Line 8D0317823B for Audi A4 S4 VW Passat
2002-2005 03 04 AUDI A4 B6 3.0L - CVT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER / PRESSURE LINE
03 04 05 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET B6 3.0L - CVT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER / PRESSURE LINE

So I guess the words "oil," and "CVT," are throwing me off. I'm no mechanic and don't know much beyond basic car repair (oil changes, replacing brake pads, etc.) so I'm sure this is basic terminology, but I just want to make sure if I purchase it, I purchase the right thing.

[Gin+]

These lines are very expensive from the dealer so the quote from the shop doesn't surprise me. I recommend you search part numbers if you want to try and get the parts yourself.

Enjoy

[imnuts]

If there is an industrial hose shop nearby, they may be able to make the lines up for you on site. They would need the existing hoses to copy, but it may be a cheaper alternative as well.

[john_gonzo]

I checked LKQ and they have a 2003 Audi A4 but I couldn't find an option where they would pull it themselves and ship it. Where do you see that option?

Ah, that's separate. LKQ has warehouses and other yards for their LKQ-pulls-it retail operations. The one time I bought a part from them, I was near enough to one of their locations in FL that I ordered over the phone, then picked up the part. Looks like Salisbury is closest to you.

https://www.lkqonline.com/

[abrusnahan]

Ah, that's separate. LKQ has warehouses and other yards for their LKQ-pulls-it retail operations. The one time I bought a part from them, I was near enough to one of their locations in FL that I ordered over the phone, then picked up the part. Looks like Salisbury is closest to you.

https://www.lkqonline.com/

Thank you! I checked out the site and I'm trying to figure out what the technical name is for the part. When you get some free time, could you go to the site and tell me which category it would fall under? I looked in the Transmission category but it's trying to sell me full transmissions lol.

[john_gonzo]

Probably just easiest to call them. Number is at top of their page.

[neilpaku]

I have a similar issue on my C4 A6 in that the transmission cooler lines are leaking. That car is so old nothing's available but it generally runs fine so I keep it alive. Would anyone know what the typical connector is on Audi cooler lines (like JIC or something?) I guess I could take it to the shop so they deal with the mess and just have them fit some generic ATF compatible hose and tie it up. What sort of pressure does it have to carry?

[TuxedoMask]

These lines are very expensive from the dealer so the quote from the shop doesn't surprise me. I recommend you search part numbers if you want to try and get the parts yourself.

Enjoy

Just wanted to say thanks for posting those pictures they were helpful.

I was wondering if the automatic transmission oil cooler lines from a 1.8L engine will fit a 3.0L engine configuration.

My car is a 2003 Audi A4 3.0 2 door convertible.

[Turbo510]

New member, welcome!

Your car is a cabriolet, so has it's own forum I thought. Though I don't know, my guess is that the cooler lines are totally different between 1.8T and 3.0 sedans, and I wouldn't be surprised if the 3.0 cab and 3.0 sedan are different too. What's wrong with your ATF cooler lines?

[TuxedoMask]

New member, welcome!

Your car is a cabriolet, so has it's own forum I thought. Though I don't know, my guess is that the cooler lines are totally different between 1.8T and 3.0 sedans, and I wouldn't be surprised if the 3.0 cab and 3.0 sedan are different too. What's wrong with your ATF cooler lines?

Thanks for the info I will try and look for a cabriolet forum.

The problem as far as I can see is that one of the metal lines got crimped somehow and then pressure built up and and blew out the hose further up closer to the radiator.