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It was replaced 3 years ago (97 s/c) when the intake manifold gaskets were done but it's somehow developed a minor leak (about a year ago) and I'd like to replace it since I've read that you can break the timing cover if not careful? What needs to be removed and what precautions should I take in replacing it?


EDIT: The coolant bypass hose that I speak of is the one that sits underneath the s/c snout and it sort of L shaped.

Thanks everyone.

you can pick up a pair at NAPA. Part # 6601736. Any other parts store should be able to help also. They just push in and seal with an o-ring.

He know where to get them, he's confused as to how to remove it.

You essentially remove the belts, unbolt the alternator, take off the tensioner bracket that the alternator bolts to, remove elbows, insert new ones and reverse. You want to use a bead of RTV on the snouts of the elbows to prevent leakage, ahead of the o-ring so it lubricates it as it slides in and seals it all up.

The earlier models did not have a lower coolant elbow but an aluminum extension with an O-ring as shown in the picture by Bill Buttermore. I don't recall when the change was made to a lower plastic elbow, but it was around 97-98.

If care wasn't used, the nipple on that extension could break in the timing cover, or the timing cover itself could be damaged. That sounds like the concern.

As the tensioner was removed only 3 years ago, you likely won't have as much of a problem removing it. Work slowly, wiggling the tensioner out, and try to keep the lower part of it as level as you can. You should be OK.

Buy the pack of 2 elbows, and use one of the o-rings off the unused elbow on the metal elbow on your tensioner, along with a little RTV.

Thanks for the information, yes I got the two pack of plastic elbows but they both seem a different size.

I have a two hour window to get this done as it seems someone always needs a car and I didn't want to start till I had a good idea on how to change them.

If the upper one is leaking do I really need to change both since the intake gaskets were changed 3 years ago and the upper one was changed for sure?


By the way, thanks for the responses so far.

They are different sizes. The one that's longer on each side goes into your LIM, the other one goes from the tensioner into the block, with the shorter end going into the block.

IMHO, it would not be prudent to not replace both of them. It's an extra minute to slap the other one in if you don't have the metal elbow. Be sure to use RTV on the elbows where they go into the LIM and the tensioner, ahead of the o-ring, to lubricate and seal it.

If you have the metal lower elbow, treat it as the most valuable part on your car when removing the elbow. They get so brittle, and break off in the timing cover, NOT FUN.

Also, be sure to clean out the bore for the elbows well. Many of the leaks can be caused by this area not being clean.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice, I've just finished and changed the coolant while I was at it.

The leak was about a litre every two weeks, therefore a slow one but one that needed to be repaired. The plastic elbow didn't have a crack but the rubber washers were corroded. I'm surprised since they were replaced three years ago, but none the less it's done...........and I hope not to have any leaks from that area for some time.

Again thanks.