8 replies to this topic

[Jammy]

Speaking from previous experience I've always found it hard to seperate link pipes, y-pieces, etc once they've been connected with exhaust paste and run in for any length of time. Is there a certain trick to getting them apart?

[Retro_10s]

I found Plusgas down the crack and Heat around the join worked well for me.. If you've already got the LCB off and you're left with the Y-peice and link pipe then see if you can twist sections apart as well as using some light persuasion with the P/Gas etc.

[ginigwunkle]

if its not being used again then i find an angle grinder works a treat...

[Jammy]

Thats the problem, the whole system including manifold is only about a month old! I'm going to take the engine out first I think, then try and take the manifold off. After that the whole system can be dropped to enable me to remove the subframe.

[Bungle]

big hammer

[jayare]

big hammer

My thoughts exactly! On a serious note, getting the engine out with the LCB in the way, whilst possible is a right royal pain in the backside! I usually leave the manifold attached to the engine, remove all the exhaust mounts, get hold of the tailpipe and pull it whilst moving from side to side & up and down. It can also help to have an assistant to tap lightly with a hammer on the Y=piece to downpipe joint as you are moving & pulling the tailpipe (or reverse roles - depends how much you trust the assistant to lightly tap rather than beat the carp out of it!). Once the system is off the car, you can usually get a better hold of the Y-piece to persuade that off, then remove the downpipe bits of the manifold before lifting the engine.

JR

[The Matt]

Use a filter strap near the join to turn it, just not too tightly or it'll kink the pipe. Basically gentle taps with a hammer to loosen the corrosion etc. knock it all around the joint and it'll loosen. Penetrating fluid will help anyways......

But, if it's only been on a month, it should come off nice and easy to be honest.

[Bungle]

"if it's only been on a month, it should come off nice and easy "

have you worked on a mini before ?

[Jammy]

Yep, did it last night. Took the carb and inlet off first, and undid all the engine mounts and got the engine pulled forward a bit to give me maximum room at the back. Loosened off the the two clamps securing the Y-piece to the manifold, then moved the clamps further down the Y-piece to ensure there was no way they could still be clamping on the manifold. Once I'd done this I could rotate the two parts of the LCB enough to break the seal with the Y-piece, from there it was just a case of keeping moving them about while firmly pulling back on the two pieces til they'd worked themselves out!