Front Crank Seal / Oil Cooler Lines Replace

83trekker · April 3, 2008

I have a 2001 silverado 2500HD 4x4 w/ 8.1 Allison tranny.

I need to replace a oil cooler line and the front crank shaft seal. Any tips or tricks, anybody else done these repairs? How hard was it? How much do you have to take off to do it? Any other comments appreciated.

Thanks

10.90 hot rod · April 3, 2008

Yes , I have done the cooler lines on my '03 2500HD 4x4 8.1/Allison. It's not that bad to do. The battery has to come out on the drivers side. Perhaps the trickiest part is: in order to get the lines disengaged from the engine block side I had to take out one of the front diff case bolts and loosen the other in order to rotate it down and out of the way so I could physically pull the line out of the fitting. Other than the bracket to the block there isn't much to it. I have a hoist which made it easier. I don't know honestly, if I would do it on the flat or in a laneway though. The dealer would charge a couple hours at least.

c502cid · April 6, 2008

Yes , I have done the cooler lines on my '03 2500HD 4x4 8.1/Allison. It's not that bad to do. The battery has to come out on the drivers side. Perhaps the trickiest part is: in order to get the lines disengaged from the engine block side I had to take out one of the front diff case bolts and loosen the other in order to rotate it down and out of the way so I could physically pull the line out of the fitting. Other than the bracket to the block there isn't much to it. I have a hoist which made it easier. I don't know honestly, if I would do it on the flat or in a laneway though. The dealer would charge a couple hours at least.

I just did mine today, also on an 03 2500HD 8.1/Ally. Battery had to come out, had to unbolt the computer (but not disconnect). I did not have to do anything with my diff though, both lines came out easy. I also did it on a lift, not sure how much fun it would have been on the ground! Took maybe an hour and a half.

83trekker · April 6, 2008

thanks i have to do mine on the ground

c502cid · April 7, 2008

thanks i have to do mine on the ground

It's very doable on the ground but I'd get your truck as high as possible with jackstands at the least. The reason the lift helps, and why you'd want it as high as possible is because you need to go from front to back a lot while removing and re-installing the hoses. Add to this the oil dripping from every which place and you want to get them off and on as quickly as possible. Take off the front tire, anything to give you more room to maneuver.

83trekker · April 7, 2008

I have a few more questions i will break them on this page so they can all get anwsered.

Do I need any special tools at all? If so when can i get them?

If one line is leaking should i replace them both?

Could it be a gasket that i just need to replace or does the line need to be replaceed. Mine has oil leaking down the line on the right side of the rad.

Thanks again.

c502cid · April 7, 2008

I have a few more questions i will break them on this page so they can all get anwsered.

Do I need any special tools at all? If so when can i get them?

Just a little pick type tool to get the retainer clips off. You might want to buy an extra clip or two (and return them if you don't use them) because the clips want to fly when they pull off.

If one line is leaking should i replace them both?

I would! It's a matter of time until the other goes.

Could it be a gasket that i just need to replace or does the line need to be replaceed. Mine has oil leaking down the line on the right side of the rad.

Not a gasket really in there. I'd clean it off just to make sure the connection itself (in the radiator) isn't what is leaking.

Thanks again.

83trekker · April 8, 2008

is this a dealer only item or can i get it somewhere else?

mswanson65 · April 21, 2008

I have to do this fix to on my 2003 2500hd 8.1/alisson. Has anyone else done this replacement of the oil cooler lines. Anyone know where I can download a diagram or instructions for this. I believe there is a TSB out on this. Will also be doing it on the ground. I already ordered the line from gmpartsdirect.com. Any help would be much appreciated.

mswanson65 · May 5, 2008

I have to do this fix to on my 2003 2500hd 8.1/alisson. Has anyone else done this replacement of the oil cooler lines. Anyone know where I can download a diagram or instructions for this. I believe there is a TSB out on this. Will also be doing it on the ground. I already ordered the line from gmpartsdirect.com. Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi all, can anyone supply the part numbers for the oil cooler lines for a 2003 2500hd 8.1 liter. I think the oil cooler lines on gmpartsdirect are only for the 6.0 liter engine. thanks