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04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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tandc
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Aug 8, 2010, 12:29 PM
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04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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I have an 04 impala 3.8L. Took it to a rad shop since it started to leak coolant recently. Shop said it was the l shapped plastic pipe between the intake manifold to the water pump housing. It's right under the heads and the alternator just kinda crammed in there. They said that they wouldn't replace it but wasn't hard to fix. Decided that I could do it myself and got a new part.. Took the old one out no problem and I can't get the new one in. Had a more mechanically intuned friend come check it out and said that I may need to unbolt the alternator and what not.. Is this true or is there an easier way to do so? Is there any easier way to do this before I go mad?
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Sidom
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Aug 8, 2010, 2:03 PM
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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With a lot of auto repairs, it's easier to get something off than back on again. 1st thing to do would be to compare the parts, threads, pitch, size, to make sure you have the right one..... In tight areas sometimes it's better to remove some stuff to make the install easier and also to make sure there are no leaks.. Technicians over a period of time develop a skill of removing & installing threaded pieces blindly... Give it a few more shots. One thing is to "feel" it center, gently push, if it feels wobbly it's off center. Once you feel it "set down" (like a glass that sits flat on a table), it's centered & gently start turning in the correct direction... After you get thoroughly mad, walk away, cool down & R&R the alt...........
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tandc
New User
Aug 8, 2010, 2:21 PM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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I should have added that it's just a plastic peice No threading or anything. You just push it in.. The old one pretty much crumbled when I took it out. so it's not to easy to compare it to the new peice. I can't find or take a picture atm. Best description it's a small L shaped plastic black tube. About 1/4' in diamater with a bit of bigger ends and o rings. Nothing really to it.
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Sidom
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Aug 8, 2010, 2:39 PM
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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It might be best to r&r the alt to get a good look. There may still be parts of the old tube in there. Also with that type of a set up there is always something that holds it in place, a collar, a bolt, something, if not the pressure would pop it out.... With all the pieces out, a little lube on the O ring helps it slide in easier
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 8, 2010, 2:48 PM
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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If that's what I think it is, it goes into the tensioner. You not only have to remove the alternator but you also have to remove the tensioner and be careful not to break off the nipples that extend into the block. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Aug 8, 2010, 2:55 PM
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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My data base is down. I thought those were the older ones. But if it is that one then you more than likely need that elbow HT mentioned cuz if the outer tube was so weak it crumbled, It's almost a certainty you'll break the elbow taking off the tensioner...
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 8, 2010, 3:00 PM
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement Removal Procedure - Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Drain the cooling system.
- Remove the coolant recovery reservoir.
- Remove the drive belt.
- Remove the generator.
- Remove the heater hose adapters with the heater hoses from the drive belt tensioner.
- Remove the drive belt tensioner bolts.
- Remove the drive belt tensioner.
- If replacing the drive belt tensioner, remove the thermostat bypass upper and lower pipe assemblies.
Installation Procedure - If replacing the drive belt tensioner, lubricate the thermostat bypass upper and lower pipe assembly seals with engine coolant and install the upper and lower pipe assemblies.
- Install the drive belt tensioner. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
- Install the drive belt tensioner bolts.
- Tighten the bolts to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) .
- Install the heater hose adapters with the heater hoses to the drive belt tensioner.
- Install the generator.
- Install the drive belt.
- Install the coolant recovery reservoir.
- Fill the cooling system.
- Connect the negative battery cable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Aug 8, 2010, 3:04 PM
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Re: 04 chev impala changing l pipe fitting..
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Well that pretty much confirms it..... Best way to save yourself a bunch of trouble......... Just go out & get a new tensioner assembly, can of PB & R&R the alt.
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