Transmission cooler line removal help

[George]

Ok, fill me in. I want to replace the radiator in my 1999 Monte Carlo and I need to remove the transaxle oil cooler lines that attach to it. Seems simple enough but there is a round plastic part that sits over the line on both cooler lines near the nut that needs to be removed to get them out of the radiator. What is the purpose of this plastic piece? Do I need a special tool or just cut it off or what? On older GM?s you just remove the nut from the radiator and pull the line out and then put it back in and tighten the nut to put it back. Whats the procedure now?

[imported_germ]

not sure ive ever seen that plastic thing your talking about.

but you should just be able to turn the nut and get it out of there....


OR you could go down the lines towards the tranny and remove the metal lines from the rubber lines that come right out of the tranny. might be simpler?

also, go on over to www.mymonte.com someone over there with a newer monte might be able to help ya.

[cadgear]

The hell if I know why they're there, but in the 2004 Chev Venture we tore apart, they just slid away from the nuts without much effort. I suppose you could cut them, but I guess they're there for a reason, so...

[RednBlack]

Those are quick releases. Unsnap the plastic collar, then pull off the retaining clip. DON'T cut it! You will be sorry.... Get a Haynes Manual.

[George]

Quick release

Thanks for the responses, I thought they might be some type of a quick release connectors. I do have the Haynes for this vehicle but at least in the section about the radiator they don?t talk about it or even show the plastic piece in the picture. I also saw the same thing in my mom?s 1997 Blazer and with hers apparently it came loose because she had transmission fluid all over the place one day after a start up. I wish GM would just leave well enough alone and just have the nut as the only thing to loosen to get the hose out of the radiator. I assume I can just work around it and loosen the nut and pull it out of the radiator without disturbing the quick release?

[RednBlack]

Sorry for the bad scan. Pull out the retaining ring with a pair of needlenose.

[vsop4me3.1]

what book is that from? I've been looking for a manual for my 3100 and no one has one.

[George]

Reusable?

Unbelievable, I have the Haynes book for the 1995 thru 2001 Monte Carlo and the Chilton as well and neither one has that picture of the quick release! I guess when you put it back together you can re-use the same quick release connector or do you need a new one? Since my books don?t tell me! Thanks

[RednBlack]

Haynes Manual #38010. Yes, you can reuse the retainer. If you cut the plastic ring off though, there is no way to put on a new one because of the flange at the end of the line.