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Thx Wildcat...had nothing to report until recently. I find out full details with pictures Friday.
Apparently a split Trans fluid line.
10 hours labor, charged for 8 @ $130/hour. Total is $3K, with difference being parts....supposedly at a hefty parts discount versus getting at the Dealership.
I'm curious to see & share pictures, and get an independent opinion from our forum members. ...
Are they applying the AM transmission cooler update kit? Which includes all new lines and a new trans cooler? Was the leaky hose up front by the trans cooler?
That's a great question, Dan. I don't know....I'll ask when I pick it up tomorrow. Because part costs were much more than just this 9 inch section of hose, maybe more hosing was replaced/updated?
The Service Manager's note: On the first picture, you can see very clearly, just below the technician's thumb, where the line ruptured. This is the forward section of the cooler lines, near the radiator, just under the front of the engine block.
I'll share other explanations from the mechanic & detailed cost information tomorrow.
Below are the pictures. My initial thoughts are:
Big mess for a little hole
How does the hose fail?...car is garaged & had just 30K miles on it...although it is 10 years old. I've had many other cars with many more miles & similar years never have this issue...including Fords
Is 8 hours of labor the norm?
Is the hose fail a symptom of an old or faulty hose, or caused by a pressure problem?
Can this at all be related to the oil change & brake fluid flush performed right before the hose failed, or just a crazy coincidence?
What can other Forum members do to avoid the problem?
What other hoses should be replaced in a 10 year-old DB9?
Yep that's a common place where they fail. The reason that hosed failed is because of a couple of different reasons: galvanic corrosion, cheap supplier, and no flared ends on pipe work. I would strongly suggest both hoses get replaced otherwise the other one will fail in the not to distant future. AM really dropped the ball on the transmission cooler lines and it really was an elementary mistake that should of never happened! Good news is, once the hoses are fixed these cars are bullet proof. Thank your lucky stars you didn't damage the transmission when you lost fluid, the Aston gods must like you! Now would be a good time to purchase a lotto ticket because luck appears to be on your side.
Last edited by dan87951; Feb 27, 2015 at 04:26 AM.
Dan when do these hose start failing usually.
Is it better to replace them before problem arises?
Is it possible to do it as DIY?
I have 2009 Db9
Did AM fix hose issue at all and if they made any improvements which year ?
Some newer car must be coming with transmission cooler update?
Dan when do these hose start failing usually.
Is it better to replace them before problem arises?
Is it possible to do it as DIY?
I have 2009 Db9
Did AM fix hose issue at all and if they made any improvements which year ?
Some newer car must be coming with transmission cooler update?
I'm pretty sure this problem was resolved for the 2007MY's. Most pre-2007's have already been replaced while under warranty so it's rare to see leaky lines now. Most times the transmission lines will slow leak well before catastrophic failure giving the owner a warning something is up.
Last edited by dan87951; Feb 27, 2015 at 03:18 PM.
My thoughts, though I'm coffee deficient so I apologize if I'm off or restating the obvious:
Originally Posted by mfrankel
Below are the pictures. My initial thoughts are:
Big mess for a little hole Not surprising it'd make a mess - the coolant is under pressure when at operating temps and when that hose ruptured it'd spray out.
How does the hose fail?...car is garaged & had just 30K miles on it...although it is 10 years old. I've had many other cars with many more miles & similar years never have this issue...including Fords It shouldn't fail, that's for sure! Especially in that specific spot on the hose. Very odd.
Is 8 hours of labor the norm? Looks like they have to replace the hard lines as well, plus refill the coolant afterwards. 8 hours is a long time, I'd assuming removing the hard lines and refitting new ones take up the bulk of it.
Is the hose fail a symptom of an old or faulty hose, or caused by a pressure problem? Seems like a faulty part to me. Age shouldn't matter on that, especially if it's only 10 years old.
Can this at all be related to the oil change & brake fluid flush performed right before the hose failed, or just a crazy coincidence? I'd say coincidence, unless the hose was damaged while they did that - but since it's happened to others I'd rule that out.
What can other Forum members do to avoid the problem? If AML fixed the quality issue of the part, you should be good. If not, a good shop can replace those rubber hoses with braded stainless.
What other hoses should be replaced in a 10 year-old DB9? Not sure, sorry
Picked it up today. They did do an official AM transmission cooler line "Kit". The hoses are different, but not metal braided.
I specifically asked about Transmission damage, and was told that I was lucky, and certain no damage. Even though it seemed like a huge leak to me, because it only took 6 quarts of ZX gearbox fluid (at $35/per), there was still fluid in the system.
I suppose people aren't recommended to do this as preventative maintenance because of the 8 hours labor cost...or 10 hours at a Dealership. I'd like to think I would have done it if someone had suggested it.
As for slow leak warning signs...I had none. The cardboard under the car, which I do check regularly, was completely clean.
Below is a copy of the invoice. Although the timing of the hose failure made it seem that it could be connected to the recent oil service, it appears that's not the case, and my Indy Shop did what they do best...undercut the dealership. I wonder what the "kit" would have cost there?
The car underbelly was cleaned, car washed & waxed, and "felt" amazing. This was my first major scare after a few years, and I admit I'd not been driving it as much lately. I've had some smaller toy cars to play with lately in a 370Z & configured Mazda MX5 convertible Miata...more Japanese toys than GT...but this scare gave me renewed interest in my 9. I'm sure it was all mental, but it felt great to really drive it today...better than I remember...and with some sprinkling rain I had a little fun sliding the back out.
I did ask if there was any other preventative maintenance that should be done (already had the gearbox hoses replaced), no matter the cost...and the reply was no. The Service Manager mentioned that Astons come in for service, Murciellagos (the last true Lambo before Audi) come in for repairs.
Hopefully this saga helps some of the other early DB9 owners here make sure they have the replacement kit done and avoid the bill, hassle, and potential damage. Amazing what a poorly chosen rubber hose & design can do.
Cheers!
and a picture of one of my 8 year-old future AM owner, who calls my car "Night Fury":
The hose marked "made in USA" is an aftermarket repair, if you look at the crimp fittings they are copper instead of aluminum. The issue was present before with hoses leaking. They still should have informed you of additional repair needed with the last engine oil change. Those are things people that know the vehicle look for. On the repair invoice it looks as if you just got hoses done, no oil cooler replacement? 10 hours or even 8 hours is too much. Should be 4-5 hours. Did they top up the coolant that they didn't check on the oil service?
and a picture of one of my 8 year-old future AM owner, who calls my car "Night Fury"
Funny you should say that. My 22-year old daughter thinks that when you look at them head-on, Gaydon-made Aston Martins look like "Toothless," the Night Fury from "How to Train Your Dragon." At least the black ones...
Yup, it was for sure a How to Train Your Dragon reference...and it stuck.
JW-they did replace the oil cooler unit...I guess that's part of the factory replacement kit?
In going back & reviewing service records, I didn't see anything having those hoses being replaced previously. I can't imagine they'd be aftermarket...but I can't argue with the "Made in USA" markings. 1st owner who had the car for just 7,500 miles was a meticulous Dealership client and I have his extensive service records, and I never had them replaced.
The hoses were checked 2 years ago...ironically because after learning about the issue on this forum I had requested them to be checked!.......and it was noted that there was no leaking of hoses then. Unfortunately in the oil change in between then & now, I did not think to ask, and who knows if they were checked/inspected. It wasn't referenced on my last oil change statement.
Hindsight being 20-20, I can't imagine all that cracking of hoses in the picture appeared in just 1 year....there had to be warning signs? I can't help but think this could have been avoided....Hopefully someone else learns from my experience.
So, things that need to be done in an older model DB9- replace transmission cooler lines, replace gearbox cooler lines which also seem to crack & seep, dipstick....Am I missing any other preventative maintenance issues from faulty parts or engineering having to do with the engine/transmission that I/We should have done?
The hose marked "made in USA" is an aftermarket repair, if you look at the crimp fittings they are copper instead of aluminum. The issue was present before with hoses leaking. They still should have informed you of additional repair needed with the last engine oil change. Those are things people that know the vehicle look for. On the repair invoice it looks as if you just got hoses done, no oil cooler replacement? 10 hours or even 8 hours is too much. Should be 4-5 hours. Did they top up the coolant that they didn't check on the oil service?
Spot on
Labour might be right considering all the under tray has to come off and go back on after.
I'd be changing them all to braided hoses
We have the same issue with oil leaks on air compressors in our business
Braided hoses are the way forward for hot oil at pressure.
Now would be a good time to purchase a lotto ticket because luck appears to be on your side.
Funny you should say that. My 22-year old daughter thinks that when you look at them head-on, Gaydon-made Aston Martins look like "Toothless," the Night Fury from "How to Train Your Dragon." At least the black ones...
