Transmission cooler lines FYI

[LanceGT4]

Has anyone had to replace the hard lines from the transmission thermostat to the cooler and the cooler? How do I get the last shroud pieces out of the way? They might snake out now but it would be tight.
I found a leak in one of my lines after an off-road drive in central WA last week.
All 3 parts have to be replaced because of an update to the parts.
There is not much clearance where the lines wrap around right side of the radiator and head up to the cooler. This and the fact that the thermostat did not have its anchor bolt to the radiator frame let the tube and radiator rub. Installing the bolt would have put even more stress on the tube to rad contact point.

I also found that the air intake snorkels were not connected to the bottom of the air filter boxes. Not that I'm actually going to ford any streams:-). The right one comes close but the left is blocked by the suction line to the hydraulic pump. Not something I'm going to re-route.

I'm not sure of the root cause for the hard line wear and intake tubes not being connected. I've only had the rig for 10 months and couldn't get the history.
The front bumper and parts could have been off for work on a leak above the A/C pump area.
Enjoy yours and check things out. often:-)
Lance

[LanceGT4]

The car already had the updated cooler and lines. Our host setup a return of the cooler with no complications and a quick credit. More parts money for the 996

There is a clip that locates the radiator shell in the frame on each side.
From the right wheel well reach in and release one. It gave me enough room the snake the tubes out and the new ones in.

I did add fuel hose to buffer both tube for extra protection. There must have been a reason the update parts were already installed.

The real cause of the wear and leak seems to have been the missing anchor bolt for the Trans cooler thermostat.

I did replace the serpentine belt. The next time it needs replacement I'm going to a shop. Some projects just aren't as much fun. But the bruises and scraps are healing well What a hassle! Worse that an '06 Duramax belt replacement. Watch out for the breather and vacuum hoses you have to release. The breather was brittle. one inch underground wire heat-shrink worked for the repair. I will have to watch it for durability.
Thanks and enjoy the trails. and roads

[ninelevenick]

Cool pictures of your Cayenne with the front bumper off. So, are you saying that the leak wasn't from offroading but instead from a missing bolt that allowed the line to vibrate, thus wearing it down?

[LanceGT4]

That's the way it looks to me.
The offroading and replacing the coolant tank led to a closer check of every thing.
It hadn't been leaking long but it must have been rubbing for a while.
78,000+ on it this week.
The condition of the trans fluid makes me wish the service and change process was an American design not low cost and intended to send you to a dealer. Not the only place this is used. my A6 and VW W8 4Motion were the same.
If I can find a decent pump for the fluid I'll be doing a service soon. If not, I'll break down and pay my local shop for the labor.

[ninelevenick]

I performed the transmission service on my Cayenne a couple of weeks ago. It's not that hard. I used an IR thermometer, and I happened to have a Motive brake bleeder. For the brake bleeder I rigged a long hose with a valve to regulate the ATF going into the transmission.

Another question: Did you find a transmission overfill or a breather mechanism integrated into the hardline system?

[LanceGT4]

on a 100 degree day on jackstands with hot cats. it's that hard. and messy.
I didn't see any attachments or junctions that might be what you're asking about. Do you have any pictures or descriptions? I expect there is a breather somewhere but wouldn't it be on the transmission case and be routed up high if at all?

[ninelevenick]

I might be wrong, but I think I saw a picture and a description of some type of breather device on a Touareg. I think it was located near the radiator.