removing cylinder head cover - water pipes

[mark747eagle]

Having removed the AIS (and failed miserably to tap the theads for the take-offs on the exhausts) I'm trying to remove the cylinder head valve cover.  Anyone have any tips on how to get the two large rubber coolant pipes off that pass through the cover into the head?  There doesn't seem to be enough room to pull them off the spigots.
Many skinned knuckes!

[PieEater]

Think I levered them off using a long flat bladed screwdriver with the end of the driver at the end of the hose and the cover acting as a pivot point, maybe spray a bit of WD40 at them to help them come off.

[mark747eagle]

I can get them to slide up the spigot - just not all the way.  Was worried about appling too much force and splitting them.  Sounds like you got them off without resorting to dismantling the water pump assembly above then - which is what I thought I might have to do!
Got the buggers off  now

[cable tie]

Once you got the pipes off you need to remove the allen bolt that holds the tubes in the head you can't see the bolts but they are there and as you pull the tubes out there should be o- ring washers on the tubes to act as a seal, don't let em fall in the head!

You need to remove the tubes as you won't get the cover off without doing so as there is not enough clearance, also be careful of the rocker cover gasket it's £21.

[mark747eagle]

Thanks for that - I never would have known! Didn't spot the allen bolts - will look tomorrow.  Yes I know wat you mean  about not dropping them in!  You have probablly saved me a whole load of agggrovation! :-)

[cable tie]

No probs, when you refit, what i did was fit the o-ring on the tubes and smear abit of vaseline on the o-rings that way they will slide into the head without getting misaligned.

Dave 

[mark747eagle]

That sounds so wrong in so many ways - but thanks.    Will KY Jelly do the job?
{ fit the o-ring on the tubes and smear a bit of vaseline on the o-rings that way they will slide into the head without getting misaligned.}

[b1k3rdude]

before you do any removing of anything - blow out any crap that's in between the cam cover and the two water pipes with an air line or if cant get access to that a quick blast from pressure washer.

You really, really dont want any tiny little stones or dirt going down the holes into the engine