The transmission cooler inside radiator fails prematurely and mix the engine coolant with the transmission fluid, requiring radiator be replaced and a transmission flush, with possible damage to transmission.
Dealer quoted over $300 to fix line. Sears offered to fix it for $250 with an aftermarket line. I repaired it myself for under $50 (including a tube cutter) to install a new piece of flexible line in between the metal tubing. The failure is in the crimped connector and I've been told that it will leak again if you use the genuine GM Part.
I was looking under the hood and noticed the transmission cooler line was leaking. Really, at 65k on the truck and this being a problem on all the 2500's as well you can't make a good transmission line that won't leak?
Truck is used mostly to pull my horse trailer, hence the low miles. It is not abused and has been serviced on time. Initially, quote was $449 to repair, and I blew up. Purportedly, GM offered to split the cost when contacted by the dealer service manager, but the final bill was less.
I searched on line and found the problem has been going on at least since 1999. Most companies, once they found they had a design problem, would make a correction. When a company is run by MBAs rather than engineers, the focus is on the bottom line, not on the product. Probably why 'Toyota is now the largest auto manufacturer, and GM had to file for bankruptcy. Similar problem with the power steering pump, which failed, causing me to lose both steering and brakes. Good thing I was not pulling the trailer on a country road at the time!
I,m upset that the dealership would not replace the transmission under the power-train warranty. The dealership has a bulletin on transmission cooling that this is a manufacture defect. The dealership told me that transmission cooling was not covered and I should pay for the repair which will cost about $300.00 to replace, which I have not replace yet.
Still talking to my service rep and all they reply is to basic maintenance and that the transmission cooling lines will leak. I have had GM vehicles all my life and never had a transmission cooling line go bad.
- goyden,
Hampton, Virgina, US
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Contacted dealer and they said this was a isolated problem. I disagree, do a search on the internet, it is a common problem. Most people purchase an aftermarket transmission line and throwaway the stock transmission cooler lines.
Transmission cooling lines leaking. Also clunking noise coming from the rear end. GM did cover the transmission work under power train warranty. However GM will not cover cooling lines under power train warranty they say its routine maintenance. The dealership service representative stated that if the truck was 3 yrs older he could see it as maintenance and yes the lines could leak due to age. Also stating this is a common problem. That leads me to think poor design. GM refuses to take care of this issue. I have been a loyal General Motors customer for 30 yrs only own GM products and this is the Thanks I get. Well this will be the LAST GM product I will own, will NOT be buying another because of this issue and the failure to take care of there loyal customers.
Transmission lines leaking at the transmission cooler. GM will not cover under power train warranty. GM has a new part number, and admit they know there is an issue, but refuse to take care of it. $700. Talking to the service manager at my stealership this is a very common problem, his own truck even had the issue.
Truck has been bullet proof otherwise. Likely will not buy another GM product because of this issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The transmission cooler inside radiator fails prematurely and mix the engine coolant with the transmission fluid, requiring radiator be replaced and a transmission flush, with possible damage to transmission.
- Maximiliano A., Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela