03-07-2019, 02:47 PM
In answer to the original question, Ruairidh posted a picture of a jolly good tool a few weeks back so it's worth having a look for that. Failing that, wrap something around the neck to protect it then apply as much heave as you can by means of big mole grips or whatever you have. Just don't grip it so hard in the jaws that you crush the tube. Grip the main 'shaft' of the tube not the top or the two will separate. A bit of gentle heat from a blow torch at the joint may help - or run the engine first.
I certainly agree check the radiator, but I wouldn't shell out for a new one unless I knew the old one was no good. They are not cheap - worth eliminating other factors first. I also agree you need the block off to clean it properly, but having the side branch off will at least enable a glance inside the thing to see what you're up against. It is also a bottleneck where loose crud tends to accumulate. Worth a peep I'd say. The thing to take care of is not to shear the side manifold studs - or worse still the bit of block they screw into - when you undo them, or indeed when you do them up again. This is a weak spot.
I'd run some rad flush through it first, having the side manifold off subsequently will enable you to ensure the resulting debris has not caused a blockage.
I certainly agree check the radiator, but I wouldn't shell out for a new one unless I knew the old one was no good. They are not cheap - worth eliminating other factors first. I also agree you need the block off to clean it properly, but having the side branch off will at least enable a glance inside the thing to see what you're up against. It is also a bottleneck where loose crud tends to accumulate. Worth a peep I'd say. The thing to take care of is not to shear the side manifold studs - or worse still the bit of block they screw into - when you undo them, or indeed when you do them up again. This is a weak spot.
I'd run some rad flush through it first, having the side manifold off subsequently will enable you to ensure the resulting debris has not caused a blockage.