I suppose many of you have seen the little devil in the photo I have attached. I have tried to release that transmission line for several hours now to facilitate removing the radiator.
I have been using those little plastic quick release tools, and while I can slip it up into the fitting, nothing releases.
Is there a better tool for this other than those plastic kits? Or maybe someone here has a trick they can share.

 

They do have metal ones that work better , it looks like the hose part is cut off , I would just cut off the fitting just be careful not to cut the part you need . A dremel can cut it off .

 

There could be a lot of crap in there that needs to be cleaned out so the tool can work like it should.

 

Yep. I spent quite a while with some penetrating oil, flushing it out, before got one off. I hate those connectors. The aluminum ones do work better.

 

Thanks folks. I don't feel it's entirely hopeless now. I was intending to take the radiator to the radiator shop and let them clean it out, then reinstall it,so I hope not to cut anything I may need. So, more pb blaster and more time. I have bought one of the metal tools and have hopes for that..
+

 

Oh yeah, tech. That;s just the photo. The hose is still attached.

 

x2 on douching it out with some cleaner. Crud gets under the tabs and they won't press in enough. Trying to force it can also deform the plastic and make it worse. The last one I did, I ended up uses a couple of small screwdrivers as the plastic tool just wasn't working very well

 

Oh and since it looks like you are replacing that tranny line lube up the elbow on the radiator before you attach it.
There is an o-ring underneath the tabs that you are trying to release with the tool that you do not want to roll.
I use a dab of Vaseline but guessing tranny fluid will do to.

 

Eggstackly. Excellent description of the problem.


Did I mention that I hate these connectors?


Anyway, I hate these connectors.

 

Cut a thin disk of rubber that fits into the connector once its connected, to serve as a dust cover. Trim the rubber as needed for a snug fit, but not too much or it could pop out. This is what i did for mine using fuel line, but havent been driving it to make sure it stays. Another (probably better) is to find a rubber emissions cap that fits snug over the connector. Cut a hole in the cap a tad smaller than it needs to be so it grips the radiator fitting. Slide the cap onto the radiator fitting, and once the line is reconnected, push the cap over the connector. Experiment a little.

You can do the same for the other connections as well.

 

You shouldn't really need the tool. As you squeeze the tabs, you might have to push the connector together to get them to unhook, especially if the plastic clip has become deformed by getting frustrated and pulling hard (btdt). Here's some info with a few diagrams. https://www.justanswer.com/jeep/1u9h...e-fitting.html You'll probably want to replace the plastic clip and o-rings after you get it off.

An interesting video on how to easily remove the connector. Just heat the connector until the plastic clip melts. I don't recommend this technique on the fuel lines though.

 

Try cleaning it out with air pressure to get the crud out.