Transmission Oil Cooler Line Seal Repair

[Eazy340]

The trans oil cooler line seals going into the trans housing on my '02 3.0 AWD Vue are leaking. According to Alldata, a special tool is required to remove/replace them. Anyone do this themselves, and if so how/what did you use to remove the seals? The repair seems easy enough other than needing the tool. Here's a picture of the tool:

[1saxman]

I don't know about the tool, but it happened on mine when it was still under warranty. Check your trans fluid frequently until you get it fixed. Whatever they did to mine is still holding. The trans dipstick has a yellow disc top and is on the driver's side way down at the bottom of the engine block. It has a little spring catch holding it in place. It's required to check it hot with the engine running to get the right level, but it's nearly impossible without getting burned - you have to stick your whole arm down there. You can check it with the engine off, but it's not exact. The fluid level will be higher with the engine off, and a safe level would be at the full mark, no lower. I made an extension for mine so it's easy to check under the correct conditions. I cut the disc off the dipstick, leaving a 1/4" shaft. I put a 2" piece of 1/4" fuel vapor rubber hose over that, and stuck an 11" piece of 1/4" wood dowel in the other end, and used two small spring clamps to secure both ends of the hose. Getting the T-IV (or equivalent) fluid into the dipstick is another problem. I bought a funnel at Napa with a piece of clear tubing on it and a capped nipple on the end. This turned out to be just an inch too short, so I went to the home center and picked up a longer piece of clear vinyl tubing. I cut the plastic cap retainers off the nipple which left a flange that just happens to index the spring clamp on the dipstick tube perfectly. This gives you a positive feel that the nipple is really in the dipstick and it won't jump out. Using this or a similar set-up, you add fluid 8 ounces at a time to top off. To refill after a drain, you slowly add half a quart at a time with a few seconds between so the air can burp out without spilling oil out of the dipstick. 4.5 quarts comes out by opening the drain plug when the trans has the correct amount of oil in it, so 4.5 quarts needs to go back in. I am now using Valvoline Max Life DexMerc which is rated for all 'T' service including T-IV.