Any engine oil cooler line aftermarket upgrade?

DJPepper · May 30, 2020

My 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 LY5 has had an oil consumption problem since I got it at 99,000 miles (now 144K). I change my oil around every 6K mile with full synthetic and have to add 2-3qts in the interim. At first I thought I was losing oil from the active fuel management system but I noticed the oil cooler lines have a slow leak at the crimped transition. I'm planning on changing them and just wondered if there is a 3rd party option that actually lasts without leaking. I've been reading that this has been a common problem for the last 3 or 4 generations at least. So I'd like to stay away from ACDelco on this one. Any tips on the repair would be great too.

swathdiver · June 1, 2020

On 5/30/2020 at 2:44 PM, DJPepper said:

My 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 LY5 has had an oil consumption problem since I got it at 99,000 miles (now 144K). I change my oil around every 6K mile with full synthetic and have to add 2-3qts in the interim. At first I thought I was losing oil from the active fuel management system but I noticed the oil cooler lines have a slow leak at the crimped transition. I'm planning on changing them and just wondered if there is a 3rd party option that actually lasts without leaking. I've been reading that this has been a common problem for the last 3 or 4 generations at least. So I'd like to stay away from ACDelco on this one. Any tips on the repair would be great too.

GM has been using these lines since the 1980s. They are a wear item. You can cut the old fittings away and put new line on their with double clamps. Or take your old ones to a the local hose shop and have them replicate them with higher quality fittings. Mine are a year newer with more miles and are weeping on the transmission side too. No sweating or leaking yet.

DJPepper · June 7, 2020

Thanks swathdriver. Cutting the fitting and just replacing the hose sounds like the easiest fix. I'll have to pull the skid plate check out the block connection first.

tlaw91 · June 7, 2020

Ur losing oil due to bad piston rings. 07-09 trucks were horrible for it.

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DJPepper · June 7, 2020

tlaw91 I'm definitely losing oil out of the cooler line. Maybe I have bad rings too. Any indicators to verify? The engine runs great.

MaverickZ71 · June 8, 2020

I've been told that NAPA lines last longer than the AC Delco ones. No, I'm not a NAPA dealer. Or go to a place that does hydraulic work and have them build you some lines, that'd be the best.

Once you get your oil cooler lines fixed, then you'll have a better idea how much of an oil burning problem you have due to piston rings and/or AFM system.

DJPepper · June 8, 2020

2 hours ago, MaverickZ71 said:

I've been told that NAPA lines last longer than the AC Delco ones. No, I'm not a NAPA dealer. Or go to a place that does hydraulic work and have them build you some lines, that'd be the best.

Once you get your oil cooler lines fixed, then you'll have a better idea how much of an oil burning problem you have due to piston rings and/or AFM system.

Makes sense. Thanks Maverick