VT Gearbox trouble

[Bohemian Wanderer]

We have a 1996 VS V6 Berlina wagon. It has a VT auto gearbox in it. We keep having problems with the coolant lines leaking where they enter the gearbox on the driver side. We have paid 3 mechanics over $800.00 to fix the problem and it has just occured again. We can't go back to any of the mechanics to get them to redo the job as we are travelling and are currently in Alice Springs and the last mechanic was in Mount Isa!
What we want to know is there are brass fittings screwed into the gearbox and the coolant lines go into them. Is this a normal setup for our gearbox or has someone changed something. The leaks occur at the junction of the brass fittings and the metal coolant lines. We told each of the mechanics to replace the lines but they have failed to do so and the last one said that the brassfittings on the gear box body mean that the standard coolant lines wouldnt fit. Needless to say it is leaking so what does he know.
We plan to buy new coolant lines and get yet another mechanic to remove the brass fittings which will involve dropping the gearbox and replace the lines completely. This time I will buy the lines and hand them to the mechanic. So i really need to know if these brass fittings (approx spanner size 17mm) should stay on the gearbox or can we safely remove them.

[acarmody]

I can't help you but just for clarifaction those are the oil lines, just telling so you don't say coolant lines to the mechanic and confuse him/her or make them think they can rip you.