[toomuch]

This weekend I lost about a gallon of antifreeze to the garage floor but I couldn't find the source of the leak. I took it to a shop that has worked on my 2002 TB a few times before and he tells me I need a hose replaced. The only thing is that the repair manual calls for them to drop the transmission to replace this hose, meaning $600 labor to replace a $60 hose. He says that this particular hose is rubber with a metal piece next to the engine and it is this metal piece that has failed. Does this sound right and if so is there any way to get around removing the transmission to change this hose? I saw the sticky on changing hoses but I didn't see anything about removing the transmission.

Thanks in advance

 

[toomuch]

If you could fill out your profile, I wouldn't have to ask if you have an EXT or a short wheelbase vehicle. Did the mechanic say where the hose went? If you have an EXT it could possibly go to the rear HVAC unit.

Looking in my shop manual, though - I do see a hose to the front cabin heater core that goes around the back of the engine, and it does say to remove the transmission to change it! It must be a very, very tight fit back there, and I don't recall anybody in four years mentioning this sort of repair project.

You could get a HVAC specialist to look at the vehicle to see if they could fabricate an alternate routing for this hose that might be longer, but which could avoid removing the transmission. That's what I would do if faced with such a problem. Get creative with a non-GM-designed solution.

Sorry about the profile, done and done. Thanks for looking and the suggestions. The whole engine compartment seems pretty compact but I'm sure there are other ways to route that hose, if it is the one in question.

 

[toomuch]

Can you tell us which hose?Is the one the roadie said or a different one?I did the radiator ones with out dropping the trans.But I did have some problems attaching the hose to the water pump!I had to heat it up to slide it on(very tight fit).

Yeah I'll call the mechanic and report back

 

[toomuch]

It did end up being the heater hose and they were able to graft a replacement part on to the existing hose without dropping the tranny.