Spring/Tube of death...intake mani removal help

[etxxz]

... nawara!! this has to be the most complicated intake mani removal ever. i have every bolt out and i can't seem to get that stupid tube out.

I have spent the last 2hous pulling down on it and i AM BEAT UP!!. I can get a good grip on it from the driver's fender and from underneath thru the p/s & alternator but i CANNOT make it move. It'll twist a bit and what not, the spring is easy to compress but can't seem to be able to tie it down.

I need an idea that uses a hammer and/or prying of some sort...i'm sure this tube is necesary so no cutting please. Best idea gets my entire paypal balance!!

[mattdk318i]

i had the same problem. there arent any locks on the tube. You have to put a foot on either side of the engine and twist and yank. Use mechanics gloves and make sure nothing is connected.

[mattdk318i]

theres a lip you can possibly get a screwdriver in where it connects to the intake mani

[MA325is88]

channel lock pliers, grab, twist and pull down all at the same time. the o-rings are baked in place. can i have your paypal balance now?

[etxxz]

neither if d ideas worked...my tube will twist but wont go down a bit wtf
i used locking pliers on the bottom lip by the spring while i twist and push down + i'm now desperate and my right wrist hurts like a chinese ****

btw in order to get my balance d ideas has to work!
the info on this about this better not be a joke...its been 3hous of pain for me

[T.Dot E30]

If i wasn't couple 1000s miles away, i'd come over and do it for you.

Otherwise its hard to explain.

[etxxz]

i'm a smart fellow and i believe in your capacity of explaining the grip and the pulling to me. don't matter how vague and detailess it is, all i to figure out is that "trick"

i have an hour to get this damn tube out and i'll call it a day.

[nando]

use zip ties or pliers to compress the spring, and then press the tube down inside the block. it's pretty easy if you've done it a few times! :)

[RobertK]

My experience with this is even when you compress the spring the tube is still a bitch to wedge in.

Here was my idea next I have to do this to avoid this issue. Cut about 3-4inches out of the middle of the tube, thoroughly clean each end of all oil and JB Weld each tube end in it's place accordingly. Once the JB Weld has dried take 2 hose clamps and a rubber vaccum hose that fits the tube ends and use it to connect the 2 parts essentially replacing the middle piece you cut out. Be sure to rough up the tube ends with sand paper to ensure a good seal where the hose clamps are.



EDIT: For those naysayers out there this tube does practically nothing to support the intake manifold on this car. The proof is in the weak ass spring that is used to keep the tube pressed UP against the manifold. So this mod is 100% safe.

[etxxz]

use zip ties or pliers to compress the spring, and then press the tube down inside the block. it's pretty easy if you've done it a few times!

that's what i did yesterday...twice and nothing. i'm putting a considerable ammount of force on this tube and it wont move the slightest bit downwards and i'm no wimpy fellow

hmmm sounds like a good idea. Anyone want to contradict? my worry is that the rubber hose will bend and the top comes off creating a fountain of oil:blowup:

[RobertK]

hmmm sounds like a good idea. Anyone want to contradict? my worry is that the rubber hose will bend and the top comes off creating a fountain of oil:blowup:

No pressure would be put on the hose so it there is no reason it should come off. The intake is held up by the bolts that hold it the to head and the brace that bolts to the valve cover. The metal tube is actuall pushed up against the bottom of the manifold. Plus you would know instantly if the hose came off because it would create a vaccum leak in the crankcase and poor idle would follow similar to what happens if you leave the oil dipstick out.

Furthermore, no oil travels through that metal pipe to begin with, it's meant to allow crankcase vapors to cycle through the intake and be burned off similar to the hose that runs to the valve cover that does the same thing.

[SpecM]

Furthermore, no oil travels through that metal pipe to begin with, it's meant to allow crankcase vapors to cycle through the intake and be burned off similar to the hose that runs to the valve cover that does the same thing.

-Nope, sorry, it's a oil drain tube for the head, that's why it goes to the pan. Look at the manifold closer... the passage doesn't make contact with the "inside" of the manifold.

[etxxz]

-Nope, sorry, it's a oil drain tube for the head, that's why it goes to the pan. Look at the manifold closer... the passage doesn't make contact with the "inside" of the manifold.

right. but i was talking bout d upward pressure bending d hose out of place not oil pres.

anyways check this out. GOOD NEWS for a lot of people...with the manifold unbolted you can actually move the manifold enough so to be able to change the gaskets on cyl 1 and cyl 6!!! i needed to replace the cyl 6 intake gasket so i'm good to go...BUT

since i twisted the stupid death tube, will it spill or cause vacuum leak 'cause its probable i broke the O-ring no?

[RobertK]

-Nope, sorry, it's a oil drain tube for the head, that's why it goes to the pan. Look at the manifold closer... the passage doesn't make contact with the "inside" of the manifold.

You're right, sorry for the misunderstanding, though the hose is not under any kind of oil pressure though to cause a fountain of oil.

right. but i was talking bout d upward pressure bending d hose out of place not oil pres.

anyways check this out. GOOD NEWS for a lot of people...with the manifold unbolted you can actually move the manifold enough so to be able to change the gaskets on cyl 1 and cyl 6!!! i needed to replace the cyl 6 intake gasket so i'm good to go...BUT

since i twisted the stupid death tube, will it spill or cause vacuum leak 'cause its probable i broke the O-ring no?

I would do the job right. Twisting the manifold to wedge in the new gaskets is not a good idea because you need to clean the surface area before installing them PLUS once you detach the middle gasket to move it around I believe you cannot reuse it. Don't waste time and money. Do it right otherwise you will be pulling the intake back off to fix a vaccum leak at the middle seals.

[etxxz]

You're right, sorry for the misunderstanding, though the hose is not under any kind of oil pressure though to cause a fountain of oil.



I would do the job right. Twisting the manifold to wedge in the new gaskets is not a good idea because you need to clean the surface area before installing them PLUS once you detach the middle gasket to move it around I believe you cannot reuse it. Don't waste time and money. Do it right otherwise you will be pulling the intake back off to fix a vaccum leak at the middle seals.

yeah i was thinking about that though i didnt have to force the manifold just pulled forward, death tube resisting, twisted the manifold and the 3 rear studs cleared the manifold..... but check this out. out of frustration i went to my friend's, who also has an e30 just to test his death tube. We jack up the car and stuck my hand from underneath and with half the force i was putting in my car i was able to move the tube down!!!


that proves i'm not a retard and so i have 2 choices right now. 1) i checked and none of the other gaskets ripped. i'm just worried about death tube's O-ring should i go for it?? 2) Dont wanna be the first to cut the tube and i'd hate to take this to a mechanic!!

i'm not even gonna put this back together tonight, i'll wait for some bright ideas, maybe look into the cutting w/ my dremel. Can i pull the tube upwards??