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[amba]

After reading and contributing to several posts about O/S exhaust manifold gasket,thought it would be usefull to fully understand what is required and how to remove the coolant transfer pipe.

It seems that in order to get to the fittings at the rear of the head you need to remove the plenum and associated sandwich plate and fuel rails.I then understand the oil cooler pipes should be removed from the oil radiator to give access via the back of the engine to the 2 bolts that secure the flange of the coolant pipe to the head....when this is replaced a new gasket should be fitted along with new seals to the oil pipes.

Any further information or pictures than anybody could contribute as i think this would form a usefull brief guide as several members ,including myself,appear to have an issue with their o/s manifold gasket leaking.

[Elite Pete]

I've never removed the oil cooler pipes or sandwich plate, you cant get at the two torx bolts with just the coolant bridge removed and a long 8 mm socket 

[amba]

Pete...is access to the coolant bridge acheivable with just the plenum/fuel rail  removed ? and then just undo the pipes from the coolant bridge.

Can you see the 2 torx then or is it still very limited and done almost by touch,as would like to understand how the coolant transfer pipe is sealed to head and how ackward it is to reseal afterwards.

[geoffr70]

Not wanting to contradict what Pete says but i think i would find it impossible to access the two bolts without at least slackening the oil pipe in the centre of the v, if not removing them completely. Then again Pete is a mechanic and has probably done loads and i've only done one, which was horrible!

I've got this pic if it helps at all.



Access to coolant bridge is by removing plenum, the inlet (think that's what it's called - the big metal 6 pipe thing with the fuel rail on),  and the black sandwich plate.

[geoffr70]

Some more pics that might be of use to you.

[amba]

Geoffr70...thanks for pictures which i remember from your post about your trials/tribulations several months ago when you replaced your o/s manifold gasket...then found a split in the small rubber joining pipe.

Your first picture is helpfull but where the hell is the 2 torx bolts securing the transfer pipe,and how did you get any socket on them and more to the point reseal the flange back to head ?.

I assume there is no way of getting onto the 2 torx head bolts from below or round the side of the gearbox bellhousing.

[geoffr70]

The two bolts are on the flange at the back of the engine. IIRC, the flange is diamond shaped, and as you stand and look at the engine from the front of the car, the points of the flange are to your top left and bottom right, which is also where the bolts are. I think they are male torx bolts but can't remember for sure, or the size. I'm sure someone posted a picture of an out of car engine to show the location.

I'll be honest, there's no point in fluffing it up. I found it very difficult to access these two bolts and put them back in. This alone accounted for most of the time! Perhaps with practice I might get better!

I used a small ratchet like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40pc-1-4-3-8-SOCKET-RATCHET-HANDLE-EXTENSION-SET-/140406467304?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20b0e0aae8

with the torx socket.

I alternated between this and using my hands. I found the whole job alot worse than any poxy ABS ECU! As far as I know you can't get access from below or round the side, but I didn't try so cant say for sure. As for resealing it, I didn't use a new gasket or sealant. I didn't even know there was a gasket or see one, but I 've never had any leaks at all.

HTH

[Andy H]

Does this help?

I took it while pressure testing the coolant system on my last V6. It isn't easy to see but the passenger side head gasket is weeping in this photo.

[amba]

Extra info is really helpfull especially the access position of the torx bolt heads.

I have located the picture of the rear of the engine with it removed from the car so I am now building up a good mental picture of what is required.I have a comprehensive tool kit so availability of sockets and ratchets are not a concern.

I had understood that some seal ring or gasket was required to replace and reseal the flange of the coolant pipe back to rear of head,so if yours has sealed up without any intervention I think you have been fortunate to the point of very lucky with no coolant leaks.

It seems as with most jobs on the V6 it is fiddly and requires nimble fingers.

[Elite Pete]

Pete...is access to the coolant bridge acheivable with just the plenum/fuel rail  removed ? and then just undo the pipes from the coolant bridge.

Can you see the 2 torx then or is it still very limited and done almost by touch,as would like to understand how the coolant transfer pipe is sealed to head and how ackward it is to reseal afterwards.

You can remove the coolant bridge once the plenum and inlet manifold has been removed. The two torx are visible but you'll probably have to kneel on the front panel. The coolant transfer pipe is sealed with a O-ring, they come in packs of two and i've got one here so i'll get you the part No in the morning. I put a bit of cam cover sealant in the O ring recess to stop the O ring falling out, this happened on the very first manifold gasket I ever did and I must admit to swearing a little

[Andy H]

My (imperfect) recollection is that  the pipe pokes through the diamond shaped plate about 3 or 4mm and engages in the hole in the back of the block. A very slim 'O' ring fits on the pipe and provides the seal.

Make sure you fit a new one Could someone with access to TIS please confirm my recollection 
[edit]Must type faster................. Thanks Elite Pete[/edit]

[Elite Pete]

My (imperfect) recollection is that  the pipe pokes through the diamond shaped plate about 3 or 4mm and engages in the hole in the back of the block. A very slim 'O' ring fits on the pipe and provides the seal.

Make sure you fit a new one Could someone with access to TIS please confirm my recollection 
[edit]Must type faster................. Thanks Elite Pete[/edit]

Its flat but the very slim O ring is correct

[amba]

So no sealant to be removed after pipe is off the back of the head ,so that makes clean up and resealing alot simpler with the limited access that seems to be available.

I imagine the 2 bolts for the flange can only be accessed from the top of the engine and not around the gearbox bellhousing then.

[Elite Pete]

I find that a long reach 8mm socket works on the right one and a small 8mm spanner on the left one and from the top of the engine

[amba]

The game plan is starting to give a clearer picture now,

Thanks for all your advise,Pete,AndyH and Geoffr70