QuestionDear Roland,
At least a year ago I emailed you about my van leaking from the return water pipe. You told me you could send me the directions on how to replace the return water pipe(metal pipe)that goes thru the engine. Could you please email me the directions. Do I have to take off the intake? Do I have to take off the water pump, too? I have to replace the whole pipe!! Thanks for all your help! Your the best!!
Thanks,
nancy
AnswerHi Nancy,
This is what I learned from another 3.0L owner who was able to remove and replace the pipe without taking off the intake manifold:
"In reply to Roland's question regarding the O ring replacement of the water
tubes for the V6 3.0L, I have replaced the water tubes on my two '95
convertibles. Because of my aversion to messing with fuel lines, etc. and a
well running engine by taking the inlet manifold off to get to the water tubes I
elected a different approach. Since the airfilter box and air tubes have to
come off anyway I found that by removing the exhaust crossover pipe I could get
additional room to get at the most rearward coolant pipe. (There are actually
two coolant tubes connected by another O ring in addition to the one at the
water pump.) By using a fine toothed hacksaw blade I cut a 1/4 inch slot
through the flange on the rear tube so that the flange could be bent 90 degrees
(after removing the two large bolts holding the flange) toward the rear of the
engine. The tubes could then be removed. Of course, the flange on the new tube
has to be slotted and bent also in order to get it in and then straightened so
it can be bolted in place. Only water should be placed on the O rings during
the installation.
In my opinion, replacing the water pump should include replacement of the two
water tubes as part of the job. In both of my experiences, both O ring areas of
the tubes and where the coolant hoses connect were very badly rusted and needed
to be replaced. The tubes cost me about $70 from Chrysler and the best quality
water pump cost $46 from NAPA (or $99 from Chrysler). The total job cost me
$268 for parts. The system is very secure and I have over 20,000 miles on one
car with no leaks. I still have both sets of water tubes and if anyone needs
further information about the location of the cuts I made in the flange I will
try to take a digital picture of them and post them. I am leaving tomorrow for
a week in Denver and will review the club postings when I get back to Austin.
I should add that I have a fair set of tools. I work about four hours a day and
completed the last job over an 18 day period. This included all hoses and
clamps, valve cover gaskets and spark plugs. The U shaped hose (from Chrysler
at $3) must definitely be replaced at the front of the engine while all this is
apart."
The gentleman who sent that info is: dwhuber@austin.rr.com
and he sent this to me on 7/14 of this year so I believe it would be current. So it is possible to replace the pipe without having to dismantle the intake manifold, etc. It can be pulled out and pushed back in from the rear. There is also a nipple on the front of the pipe with a hose to thermostat housing that needs to removed, up at the front of the pipe. If you find that you need to remove the manifold let me know and I can xerox and postal mail you the pages, but I hope that it will not be necessary.
Roland
PS Thanks for the kind remarks and nomination.
