Coolant Pipe

[Justin Loden]

Ok, So i'm in the process of putting my car back together after having the engine taken a part for the last three weeks doing the 60k service along with the oil pan gaskets. Only one question though. I purchased the water pump seal kit from napa I believe and it came with the one smaller round seal that goes on the back of the water pump in between it and the block. It also came with the larger o-ring that goes around the end of the coolant pipe that plugs into the back of the water pump. No big deal. Only confusion is though that it came with TWO of these o-rings. I was guessing that the other one goes on the other end of the pipe. The end that plugs into the back of the thermostat housing. Only problem is that I can't get the pipe to pull away from the thermostat housing. I tugged on it but it won't pull free. I don't want to break anything but does anyone have any idea how this pipe pulls loose? Or do I have to do the the other end of the pipe by taking the thermostat and housing off?

Thanks

 

[Irish Pride]

It's a wrestling match. You can try twisting while you pull. It's never easy to get out but it will come out.

When reinstalling, coat the new o-rings with some antifreeze to lubricate them.

 

[Justin Loden]

Thanks, I'll try pulling harder. Just didn't want to break anything if that wasn't the way that it comes apart.

 

[Irish Pride]

The pipe is identical on both ends. You won't damage anything. It's a tight fit.

 

[NoSlo]

Maybe it's a tighter fit on the thermostat end - the tube likes to pull out when removing the thermostat outlet housing, also requiring both o-rings to be replaced. I wouldn't worry about immediately replacing the opposite O-ring if the pipe is hard to pull; just hang onto it for when you do a thermostat, heater hose, outlet crossover hose, or other leak on the opposite side.

One can also replace just the front half of the water pump body if you've got that gasket or use make-a-gasket RTV, and have recently done the other seals and hose.

 

[itwonder]

Attempting to replace the front part of the water pump, leaving the housing in place, frequently results in a leak because the tiny seal on the back of the housing slips out of place. This has been discussed in a number of threads over the years. Perhaps if the housing is RTV'ed in place so it stays put after the bolts are removed it could work out; never tried that.