What is an oil cooler hose?
Your car’s oil cooler hose circulates oil between the radiator, engine, and transmission, helping to prevent the oil from overheating. The oil cools down at the radiator to continue lubricating your engine, allowing all engine parts to move smoothly without causing friction.
Overheated oil can cause damage to your engine or transmission, so you’ll need to have a mechanic replace your broken oil cooler hose immediately.
When you go to have your oil changed, you can expect your mechanic to take a look at your oil cooler hose. If they see any signs of leakage or physical damage to the hose, they’ll let you know it’s time to replace it.
How do I know if my oil cooler hose is bad?
If your oil cooler hose is bad, there are a few common symptoms to keep an eye out for:
Visible physical damage to the coolant hose: It’s occasionally a good idea to inspect under your hood, including your transmission cooler hose. If there are any signs of physical damage to the hose, have it replaced as soon as possible to prevent leakage.
Leaking oil around the cooling lines: If your transmission cooler line or oil cooler hose is damaged or corroding, you may notice oil leaking around the fittings of the hose. Most oil hoses have “O” rings and gaskets that seal the compression end of the hose, and if these gaskets are damaged, the oil can leak out.
Transmission overheating: When the oil cooler hose can’t do its job, it may cause the transmission to overheat. This may be due to low fluid levels from leaking or obstruction to the tube that prevents flow. An overheating transmission can stop working altogether and may cause permanent engine damage
. If your transmission overheats, it typically sets off the check engine light
. Deterioration in the rubber portion of the hose: If the rubber portion of the oil cooler hose starts to deteriorate, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible. Worn rubber hoses will eventually begin to leak, leading to more serious issues.
If you have a burning smell coming from your car when driving, it could also indicate a bad oil cooler hose. When oil seeps from a damaged or loose hose, the fluid travels to the car's underside, contacting hot components and burning, thus emitting a burning smell.
Keeping up with regular car maintenance is the easiest way to avoid damage to your cooling system and, subsequently, damage to your vehicle. When you take your car in for an oil change and filter replacement, have the mechanic check the transmission oil cooler lines and hoses.
How often should an oil cooler hose be replaced?
The lifespan of an oil cooler hose is often relatively short because it’s directly in contact with hot oil. Because it constantly heats up and cools down, the hose can harden and crack, leading to oil leaks.
Although designed to last as long as your car’s engine, the hose will eventually start to wear down with exposure to heat. There’s no set interval for how often your oil cooler hose needs replacing—it depends on your vehicle and how often you drive.
Can I replace my oil cooler hose myself?
If you’re car-savvy and looking for a new DIY project, changing the oil cooler hoses is a relatively simple process that requires just a few tools and a short amount of time. But if you’re not comfortable performing the procedure, leave the oil cooler hose replacement to a professional.
Alternatively, depending on the age of your car, parts of the transmission cooling system may be covered under your warranty. Contact your local dealership to ask if you qualify to keep your oil cooler line replacement costs minimal!