Hi guys,

I've managed to get the stock heat exchanger off. However, I can't seem to get the damn rubber pipes that connected to it totally off the pipes coming frmo the engine. I've tried a hair dryer to heat them up, but they aren't budging.

Is there any easier way or techinique? TIA!

 

channel lock pliers . grip and twist . but you should have enough there to simply cut them off and splice them together . just gotta be sure the elbow is intact so coolant will flow well .

 

I remember just slicing the hoses a little to get them off, then I trimmed one and put it back on the metal pipes so the coolant flows back.

 

I just grabbed and pulled...HARD, twisting at the same time. First one was OK, then second one I some how managed to jam my hand into the heat exchanger when it came off, smacked my knuckle on the open pipe, and let it eat part of my finger.

Took off a sizeable piece of skin that is almost fully healed now 3 weeks later.

And not that its important, but I actually even removed the metal line that they were attached to. The line itself is easy, but reattaching one of the four hoses you are left with to the T's on the other end is a bit of a challenge. It took me a while, but I'm glad I don't have a coolant line just hanging out behind my header anymore. Plus it reduces some of the clutter.

 

Thanks for the responses I managed to get the ones that attach to the heat exchanger off. I can't get the pipes from the metal tubes off!

//MZero, I like that idea. Any more details?

 

Eh, no real details honestly. The metal lines go back above the power steering unit. There is one 10mm bolt if I recall correctly securing the line. To take it out fully you have to have the intake box removed, because it comes up on that side of the engine, basically T-ing into the heat lines before they reach the firewall. Just follow it, and remove.

Also keep in mind that the T's are slightly larger outside diameter than the metal line. So the hose has slightly different diameters to reflect this. You reuse and 180 a hose between the T's but since one end is slightly smaller it needs to be coerced onto the T.

Other than that no real advice, its not really HARD just can push your patience.

 

We removed those metal lines completely. Didn't really like the idea of bending the rubber pipe back on itself creating a restrictive flow. Also by doing this you shorten the coolant path. I have seen a small drop in engine temp as well with this. It isn't much but the car seems happier for it.

 

Thanks, I'll have a look when I get back from the office today.

Should be easy for me to reach. My car is lying in pieces at the moment!

 

i've never seen a tiled garage floor . how durable is it ? it certainly looks nice .