A310 V6 coolant pipes in chassis

[johnb]

I am trying to remove the two coolant pipes that run the length of the chassis centre box section as part of the major work I am doing on the car. They do need to come out as coolant has leaked into the chassis box section so I need to find where the leak is coming from. I have removed the double pipe clip at the rear end of the chassis box section and the front clamp was missing. I am presuming that they are withdrawn towards the rear of the car, is this correct? If so, it looks as if the gearbox needs to come out although I have jacked it as high as possible (the engine is already out). Am I correct? The pipes will pull back a certain amount and then jam.
Any tips would be appreciated

[stephendell]

Should be engine and box out like the GTA.

Remove from the rear. Try one at a time if they jam.

[johnb]

Yes, it will probably be easier with box out. At least it will give more room to do a straight pull.

[Alpineandy]

As 'El Presidente' says, gearbox out.

I vaguely recall someone pulling them out in short pieces (would be a pain to cut but IIRC some of it was rusted through).
Then he replaced with smaller Ali sections with silicon hose connections.
Sounds like real hard work to me, but if you really don't want to take the box out.....

If you are posting this in the project secion of the forum, you should post up pic's of the car and jobs you are doing which would be interesting and helpful to others with the same car. Other wise this needs moving to the general section of the forum!!

[johnb]

In response to Alpineandy I am going to take the gearbox out now as this will also allow me to do some tidying of the chassis in that area. The problem with removing the pipes at the moment is that they are jamming before they hit the gearbox. Anyway, with the gearbox out I'll have more room to work. If I manage to remove them I'll probably have new ones made in stainless by a local exhaust manufacturer who also does coolant pipes. They need to come out as they are corroded. It's a bit tight for space down the chassis as the air con hoses (yes, it has air con) are also in the box section with the water pipes.
I am making a start on dismantling the rear suspension for painting/refurb so to take the gearbox out isn't a big deal, except for rusty fasteners.

[Alpineandy]

.... I'll probably have new ones made in stainless by a local exhaust manufacturer who also does coolant pipes. ..
....yes, it has air con......

Don't forget to have the 2 'down tubes' at the back of the engine made up as well.

Snap, mine has A/C as well and a glass sun roof
It does make continental touring much nicer

[johnb]

I was planning to replace the 90 degree tubes at the back of the engine because these are currently in copper with soldered elbows. I don't think that these can be the originals.
I may also have made in stainless the small 'header' near the radiator and the two pipe 'loops' in the vee at the flywheel end of the engine.

[Alpineandy]

currently in copper with soldered elbows. I don't think that these can be the originals.

Originals are mild steel.