Removing parts

[vikesfankevin1986]

Just some more random questions...
I was wondering how difficult is it to remove the following things and put them back in place without issues...
Balance tubes
Intake Plenum
Valve covers(all 4)
Water Pipes
Based on where they are located they all seem pretty simple other than all 4 valve covers...is this correct?

[legion]

Intake Plenum

A b**** to get off if you've never done it before.

[grk nickafis]

Balance tube is the easiest thing in the world. Plenum i heard was tough, valve covers should be pretty straight foward. coolant pipes? Not that bad.

[vikesfankevin1986]

Well I will be doing spark plugs and fuel injectors so the intake plenum will come off for those right?

[grk nickafis]

no, http://s95014253.onlinehome.us/63104/155253.html
Sparkplugs are easy

[marty1mc]

It's best to pull the plenum for the injectors, but not necessary for the spark plugs. The reason the plenum is tough is a couple of things. First, the hoses that are attached. The water hoses for the throttle bodies need to be disconnected. Finding the connections the first time is a pain. There is a bypass procedure for this. The hoses for idle air and PCV can be hardened as well. You may have to destroy them to get a few of them off. Be prepared to buy new ones. The EGR tubes are a hassle to remove from the plenum as well. There are 2 bolts (I think they are 10mm heads)on each one that need removed. Then the tubes have to be bent away from the plenum. After that, the plenum is fairly easy to remove. Make sure to mark all vacuum hoses and the connections and all connectors for injectors, coil packs, Idle air and sensors. Take pictures of everything before you start and as you disassemble. I read someone say it this way once "treat it as if you are putting back together a puzzle, because you are."

The valve covers can be a challenge as well. The intakes are a breeze. On the exhaust, a couple of the bolts are tough to remove, just access, that's all. Just take your time and it will come off. You will need a rubber mallet to strike the cover to loosen the RTV holding it on. Clean it thoroughly when you take it off so the new RTV has a good surface to seal. Make sure there is no oil anywhere on the surface as well. I usually wipe down the surface on the head where the cover mates with brake clean just before I install the cover.

If you do the throttle body bypass, the removal is much easier the next time. If you delete the EGR, the entire process is pretty simple the next time as well.

Good luck.

[vikesfankevin1986]

I am just trying to figure out what I can do without any extra work next summer or do in the garage over the winter. Next summer I plan to do all silicone piping (the stuff I can get at without pulling the motor) and also throttle bodies and intercooler piping. I am doing fuel injectors, spark plus, 120K mile kit, pulleys, oil cooler, radiator and a few other things. It sounds like with all that stuff out none of that will cause me any extra headache. I'm not looking forward to spending money in the silicone pipes and all that stuff but I may as well get as much done while everything is out.

[grk nickafis]

soo... dremel method...

[vikesfankevin1986]

The outside of my car will be like meh but then when the hood is popped it will look pretty tight
Man I can't wait to get it repainted...I will be a few years down the road but I think I am leaning towards a dark silver or something. I have considered the orange they have on the 350Zs and a dark cherry...The accents will be red so maybe I will go with a dark silver.

[grk nickafis]

cool so dremel method

[vikesfankevin1986]

not sure what dremel method is...

[grk nickafis]

no, http://s95014253.onlinehome.us/63104/155253.html
Sparkplugs are easy

I posted this like 20 minutes ago

[vikesfankevin1986]

Oh got ya

[grk nickafis]

Word i dont mean to sound like a d!ck when i talk. but i do. because i am. but i dont mean to. haha i reread my posts and thought i sounded rude

[es.biggs]

lol.

Water pipes are actually a lot harder than they appear to be.

[vikesfankevin1986]

Well just so this stuff doesn't require me to tear apart the motor or anything If I can do it with a few basic tools I will be happy.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

not sure what dremel method is...

It's a ghetto way of doing your injectors. Yay!!! Metal shavings everywhere on my engine. No thanks. For one injector, maybe. All six? Only the ghetofabulous lazy ones do it dremelstyle.

If you cut the coolant hoses, and have a 10mm swivel socket for the EGR tubes, your first plenum pull isn't impossible. It's a full day, yes, but not headbanging, drink a bottle of Jack bad.

Do the coolant hose bypass, and just reconnect the EGR tubes until you have the transmission out to get the EGR removed. Removing it with the engine and transmission in is a bang your head on the wall, slam a bottle of Tequila, lock a hooker in a closet bad.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

lol.

Water pipes are actually a lot harder than they appear to be.

Agreed, especially since you have no idea how much RTV the previous mechanic put on.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-11 ... 33202.html



Those make it much easier though.

[grk nickafis]

Yeah metal shaving might be an issue but it saves money and its not really all that ghetto if you make it look clean. and just use a vacuum. If anyone is thinking "just use a magnet for the shavings" go ahead and try picking up aluminum shavings with a magnet. I know theres someone out there thinking that.