Small radiator hoses question..

[CodyRx7]

I was installing a replacement radiator yesterday and afterwards noticed I have a small leak in one of those skinny hoses on the bottom near the white drain plug, below the battery.

Is this just standard 3/8" I.D. hose?

I understand the big hoses are the upper and lowers, the bypass hose up top...what are these little hoses for?

 

[CJF]

Did you notice any tranny fluid dripping from them during your wrenching adventure?

 

[CodyRx7]

Ehh, I figured they were tranny lines, but red ATF, red coolant...it all went in the same bucket.

Anyways....so I'm driving to Checker Auto parts to replace the hoses....when I pull into the lot.

I see these people staring at the truck (I figured they were just in awe of a lifted Lexus..) but then I hear "Is that OIL?!!?!"

Right as I enter the lot, suddenly while the shifter was still in Drive, it acted like it was in neutral.

I clicked back into neutral and into drive and it was in gear again.

I pull into my spot and get out into a puddle of spewing fluid. YAY!

My big top radiator hose was leaking a bit as well. ?!!?!?!!?

So I walk in and figure I need a tow and a radiator shop to figure out if the used radiator I got was bad or what was going on. They said they knew of a good general mechanic who happened to walk in the door at that very second.

He takes a look and instead of towing it decides to work on it right there. I replaced the top hose spring clamp with a screw type which stopped that leak.

He put a new screw type clamp on the little tranny line by the radiator drain plug as well which seems to have stopped that leak.

I have to go out and spray down the radiator and belts and stuff to check for any small leaks now.

We topped it off with coolant and water at the parking lot as well as 3 quarts of ATF.

 

[CodyRx7]

After a quick gentle spray with the power washer now I just need to let it dry and see if I have any pinkish red leaks anywhere....so far so good.