P5B Gearbox Oil Cooler Pipes Leaking

[richardlamsdale]

I've searched but can't find an answer, hence starting a new thread.

My P5B leaves a largish patch of ATF on the ground when it's parked, underneath the radiator. I'd assumed this was the infamous steering box leaking and the oil was running to the lowest point, but on closer inspection it's actually one of the gearbox oil cooler pipes. The leak isn't from the radiator itself, but from where the two short oil hoses, that leave the bottom of the radiator, join the metal pipes that then travel back to the gearbox.

The hose-to-pipe screw unions are tight, and the leak seems to be coming from where the hose joins the union. There's no jubilee clips on either of the two hoses, but only one is leaking - the other is dry.

So a couple of questions:

1. Should there be jubilee clips on the hoses to hold them onto the unions? I can't see how the hose is held to the union any other way. If so that may be a very simple fix.
2. If they require replacing, are the hoses available? I searched JRWadhams website but couldn't find them.

thanks,
Richard.

[richardlamsdale]

Thanks for your quick reply - I just looked at Wadhams website again where you said, and found them. And thanks for confirming that there shouldn't be hose clips - I was a bit worried to say the least! I might try re-seating the union first, but as it could be the hose that's split I'll probably order one and set about replacing it. I'm pleased it isn't the steering box that's leaking, anyway.

Once replaced does the gearbox oil system need bleeding in any way, or does gravity do the job?

[petervdvelde]

Richard,

There is no need to bleed the oil circuit of the transmission

Peter

[richardlamsdale]

Good point - will do both together. Thanks for the replies.

[JohnC]

I had exactly the same puddle of TQF gathering on the floor under my P5B. I replaced the the PAS pump because it showed signs of leaking. However the puddle did not go away. With a good torch and a lot of contortion I discovered the flexi auto pipes attached to the radiator had deteriorated and were leaking under pressure. I purchase two new pipes from JRW and fitted them with the radiator removed. I removed the rad because it made the job a little easer and the rad was original and I thought it an opportunity to clean and check. Puddle now gone.

[Welsh Warlock]

The unions into the rad and onto the steel pipes to the gearbox are only pushed into the pipe albeit they are a snug fit and will have hardened over time.

There is nothing special about the pipe except it needs to be of the right type.

A local supplier who sold hydraulic pipe of different types (mostly to farmers) sold me a couple of feet of pipe for a few punds and I cut off the old pipe, pushed on some new and secured it with petrol pipe slips (belt and braces as it was tight fit anyway) and Robert was my father's brother.

I think it cost about £5.00.

[Welsh Warlock]

Those bulky ends will hinder access when trying to get the union onto the thread and are, IMO, completely unnecessary.

Might look good but will make replacing them awkward unless the pipe is very bendy, which it souldn't be as it should be reinforced type to cope with the heat and oil.

Having had new pipes made I now leave the union attached and undo the (petrol type) pipe clip and pull the pipe off the brass unions. Makes it simpler.

Bear in mind I have had the engine and ancillieries in/out on/off a few times in the last few months.

[richardlamsdale]

Thanks, that's very useful. Are there any o-rings or olives in the brass unions, or should they just seal when they're tightened up?

[petervdvelde]

Richard,

No O-rings are needed. You should first attach the hoses to the radiator and then connect the hoses to the pipes.
Regards

Peter

[richardlamsdale]

Thanks Peter.

[Welsh Warlock]

Dec 2, 2014 11:21:31 GMT petervdvelde said:

Richard,

No O-rings are needed. You should first attach the hoses to the radiator and then connect the hoses to the pipes.
Regards

Peter

Good tip Peter. It looks simpler to undo the unions to the back of the rad but actually its much easier to connect from the other end of the flexis (unless you use the method I suggested and pull the hoses off the unions at the rad end).

[richardlamsdale]

Fitted the replacements today and all looks good so far. A bit of a fiddle to fit, but made much easier by removing the bottom hose off the radiator. The reinforcing collars at the ends didn't restrict access, but definitely correct to fit the radiator ends first, then the pipe ends.