Help: think a garage isn't telling me something (pic)

[Xrockonx]

Took the car to a garage to replace the thermostat and do an oil change. Got it back and it was leaking oil on the driveway. Thought maybe the filter wasn't screwed in tight or something but then I find the oil leaking from the oil line under the rad. 2 steel lines except one has a 10" long rubber hose clamped in the middle. Did they break a steel line, fix it and not tell me? Or does everyone have this rubber hose? Take a peek under your car and let me know please! It's located right under the rad, in front of the plastic oil filter cover. Here is a photo:

[RangerSVT]

That's not factory, and the rust deposits on one of the clamps says its been there a few months. I'll try to take a look at my sister's 07 fusion when she gets home tonight. But it looks like your lines are rusting through. Btw, those look like transmission fluid lines, not engine oil lines...

SVT

[white89gt]

Yeah, I think that is a trans line too. Some shops will cut the line like that when they change your fluid. It is also possible that someone cut a drainback valve out of your line if it had one. Has the trans been serviced or repaired lately?

Posting from the Galaxy.

[Xrockonx]

Trans was serviced about 3 years ago and to my knowledge they just replaced all the fluid, didnt need to replace the drain back valve or anything. The car hasn't been in the shop for anything since then.
Pretty sure it's an oil line anyway, oil was dripping like crazy, tightened the clamp on the one end and problem fixed. Just not sure why the hose was put there. Not that I mind. Cheaper fix than replacing the steel lines completely, but I'd at least like to be told.

Edit*
They may be trans lines, if so, my fluid needs changing if it looks like oil....

[RangerSVT]

Pull your trans dipstick and check your oil. If its anything but bright red, change it. Keep in mind its good practice to change tranny fluid every 30k miles...

SVT

[white89gt]

You can also follow the lines and see where they go. If it is oil, it will go to some type of a sandwich plate between the oil filter and block. Trans lines would obviously to the transmission. You will also have a power steering cooler that will go to the power steering pump.

Oh, and the anti drain back valve is just a one way valve for the trans fluid. It is common practice to eliminate it because it really doesn't need to be there. My Buddy owns a trans shop, and he usually inspects all vehicles before they leave - and part of the inspection is to make sure those are gone. Well, back in April he had his Jeep down in Moab and his tech put a C6 back in an early 90's F250. He hooked the lines up backwards and completely scorched the trans. Had that drain back valve been gone, all would have been fine.