Quick Question about intake manifold removal

[Juevo]

So I’ve got all 12 12mm bolts off but the intake manifold seems stuck on still from the front side of the engine, it looks like this bolt might be the one, but I’ve already got 12 off and this 1 leaks out coolant when loosened, any tips E30 pros?

[digger]

There are only 12 bolts. If coolant comes out from the other then it’s the thermostat housing and there is no need to remove it. The manifold might be stuck and need a wiggle or persuading with a plastic hammer . Also dont forgot the bitch tube and the bracket on the valve cover

[Juevo]

There are only 12 bolts. If coolant comes out from the other then it’s the thermostat housing and there is no need to remove it. The manifold might be stuck and need a wiggle or persuading with a plastic hammer . Also dont forgot the bitch tube and the bracket on the valve cover

so i missed the bottom one for cyl 1, but now i have 15 bolts, does that therm housing have 3, and can i just put them back on no problems, or should i just take it off and order a new gasket for it now?

[82eye]

if you haven't removed the cover it should still seal back up. replacing the gasket would ensure a proper seal.

[Juevo]

if you haven't removed the cover it should still seal back up. replacing the gasket would ensure a proper seal.

Thanks ill hope it seals up good enough for now

[Juevo]

So ive got almost everything off, but my bitch tube is being a real bitch. I have an extra set of hands, and can compress the spring, but the tube doesnt push down at all, is it just stuck with a bunch of crust, or is there a special trick to it?

[Maybe Magpie]

So ive got almost everything off, but my bitch tube is being a real bitch. I have an extra set of hands, and can compress the spring, but the tube doesnt push down at all, is it just stuck with a bunch of crust, or is there a special trick to it?

I just so happened to be doing some reading ahead of time for when I yank my own intake off to do some service to my throttle assembly and injectors and came across this thread. Poor guy had a heck of a time! Seems like zip-ties might be of help to you for keeping that sucker compressed. For getting it back in without leaks apparently the trick he found was in that last post, aforementioned zip ties + proper O ring and washer fitment + oil resistant permatex ultra black RTV. Good luck!

another trick I saw mentioned in another thread was putting the ziptied tube in first then putting the intake on and fastening it down, then cutting the zip ties and letting the tube extend back upwards into its spot. Hopefully that works for you, I plan to try that method myself when the time comes.

[Juevo]

Okay, I feel like im doing this completely wrong or something isnt right. As it is right now the intake manifold and bitch tube are still on the car. so ive looked around for a bit and have tried some of the things to take care of the tube, I can compress the spring and rotate it freely, but it wont push down at all so that i can get the intake manifold off... at this point im looking into buying a new one and just cutting it out, but i know that cant be a good solution for this.

[Juevo]

So my suspicions of the tube just being super gunked up seems to be correct, ive hit it with some carb cleaner and started rotating the tube and that helped clear out some of the gunk, I can now push the tube down somewhat, but not enough to get it off just yet, probably going to be a few more times doing that before i get any further

[Vincenze]

It's better to use a couple of small zip ties around the spring to compress it, then it's easy to move the tube down.

[Juevo]

It's better to use a couple of small zip ties around the spring to compress it, then it's easy to move the tube down.

the spring shouldnt be the issue as i can compress it just fine, however the tube itself was lodged into place with probably about 35 years of gunk. Ive hit the bottom side of the tube w/ some solvent and gave it some spins to work it aroung on the bottom side and now i can get the tube about halfway to where i need it to be, so slowly making progress.

[Juevo]

Okay ive got the intake manifold free of the car for the most part, all thats holding it to the car right now is these is the pictures, should i disconnect the lines or try to remove the black cylinder thing with the 2 lines coming off it?