CAN'T PULL OUT HEATER RETURN PIPE TO REPLACE "O" RING and then some
..:: UPDATE ::..
The damn pipe won't give in ...still! for now I've been banging on it less than an hour during the afternoon, as soon as I come home from work ...the neck came off ...pipe wrench won't make it twist, just makes the tube bend ...the banging with the help of a pry bar don't push it out, just chips away where I hit it ...I can see where the pipe meets the engine, and a kind of black "thing" between them, hopefully is just the old rubber "O" ring, and not some adhesive that were put in there to "prevent" leakage, and instead "bonded" both pieces tight ...my thinking is to bang on it enough to actually have the pipe inside there cave in, letting air in and maybe loosen up enough to twist or pull it out, but I'm skeptic since it's being chipping away in a way that it just might break right there at the point of entry where I'm hitting to push it out from ...any "ideas" or possible situations that I might run into if it breaks right there, besides being "fckd" ...replacement pipe shall arrive today and still no space open up for it yet! ...weekend is a little over a day away, so hopefully this job will have my full attention and determination then! ...a couple more pics for your amusement! ;-]#
The damn pipe won't give in ...still! for now I've been banging on it less than an hour during the afternoon, as soon as I come home from work ...the neck came off ...pipe wrench won't make it twist, just makes the tube bend ...the banging with the help of a pry bar don't push it out, just chips away where I hit it ...I can see where the pipe meets the engine, and a kind of black "thing" between them, hopefully is just the old rubber "O" ring, and not some adhesive that were put in there to "prevent" leakage, and instead "bonded" both pieces tight ...my thinking is to bang on it enough to actually have the pipe inside there cave in, letting air in and maybe loosen up enough to twist or pull it out, but I'm skeptic since it's being chipping away in a way that it just might break right there at the point of entry where I'm hitting to push it out from ...any "ideas" or possible situations that I might run into if it breaks right there, besides being "fckd" ...replacement pipe shall arrive today and still no space open up for it yet! ...weekend is a little over a day away, so hopefully this job will have my full attention and determination then! ...a couple more pics for your amusement! ;-]#
Last edited by adolfojbonilla; May 26, 2016 at 11:55 AM.
Maybe a little bit of heat on the plenum? Very gentle, proceed with caution, and nothing more than a propane torch. Heating the aluminum plenum (NOT the pipe) should make the hole a little bigger and maybe loosen any adhesive goo.
Again, be careful!
Again, be careful!
I was thinking about suggesting heating the plenum and cooling the pipe, but at this point I'm not sure if even that would work. I'd still try it but don't be discouraged if nothing happens.
For me, the next stop would be to try to cave in one side of the pipe, as you're thinking. If that doesn't work, cut the pipe off flush with the face of the plenum and get a drill that's just slightly smaller diameter than the OD of the pipe, then drill into it carefully so you don't go too deep.
For me, the next stop would be to try to cave in one side of the pipe, as you're thinking. If that doesn't work, cut the pipe off flush with the face of the plenum and get a drill that's just slightly smaller diameter than the OD of the pipe, then drill into it carefully so you don't go too deep.
...thanks NickAdams! ...that approach was suggested earlier in the thread, had been avoiding it since I don't have a propane torch, although a buddy that works with AC does and he might be able to help out with it; another deterrent would be the amount of flammable gases and stuff I've already sprayed the area with, nonetheless will keep that option opened if push comes to shove! and thanks again, I appreciate your input! ;●]#
I was thinking about suggesting heating the plenum and cooling the pipe, but at this point I'm not sure if even that would work. I'd still try it but don't be discouraged if nothing happens.
For me, the next stop would be to try to cave in one side of the pipe, as you're thinking. If that doesn't work, cut the pipe off flush with the face of the plenum and get a drill that's just slightly smaller diameter than the OD of the pipe, then drill into it carefully so you don't go too deep.
For me, the next stop would be to try to cave in one side of the pipe, as you're thinking. If that doesn't work, cut the pipe off flush with the face of the plenum and get a drill that's just slightly smaller diameter than the OD of the pipe, then drill into it carefully so you don't go too deep.
As per the "torching situation" -as I wrote NickAdams- will leave it opened if all else fails. For it I would need to turn Marsellus Wallace on the pipe, and as he said in Pulp Fiction "...Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' ****ers, who'll go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'ma get medieval on your ***." ...at this point, although a bit nervous, I gotta keep my sense of humor up! ...thanks again ya'll! ;●]#
Last edited by adolfojbonilla; May 26, 2016 at 12:17 PM.
I don't know where you are or whether or not there are any boneyards nearby with a DII or two in stock but at this point you might consider just replacing the plenum and the pipe with another pair.
...thanks for your input MLN01! ...I'm in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and yes there'll be a couple places to look around if case may be, but that's a consideration I wouldn't want to have for now, so give me a couple days and a few more bangs on the damn thing will ya! ;●]#
...LOL... I guess you're right, as Detective Alonzo Harris said in "Training Day" "...King Kong ain't got **** on me!" ...today's hour of work brought us to this point [look at the pic] ;•]#


