Water Distribution Tube (When to Check it?)

[crazycasey]

Hey Guys,

So I have spent the last several hours reading about the hell that these water distribution tubes can cause. My question is (couldn't answer it with the search feature) how does one decided if and when it is necessary to attempt to remove this b@$t@rd from the engine and replace it. If my Dodge is running fine and not overheating should I leave it alone?

Also, in regards to the search...there is a post about 8 topics down that is titled "T5 mounting question to Don Coatney". So...I thought, "I want to read more about T5 swaps". I went to search, drop down menu, clicked on advanced search, and typed T5 into the search line, made sure that I was checking all open posts, match keywords in post body as well as title...etc etc etc. No matching results!!! How can that be. The "T5" is right there in a post title, yet my search comes up empty!!!??? What am I doing wrong.

Anyway, I'm sorry to get off topic here. Really just curious about the water distribution tube though.

Thanks!

[Normspeed]

I tried the same search and got the same...no hits. That seems odd.

On the water tube, I agree with Shel. But, if you happen remove the water pump for replacement I would at least try to pull out the tube at that time for inspection. If it will come out.

[JerseyHarold]

You might need 3 or more characters to activate the search function. 'T5' isn't long enough.

[Andydodge]

I have an bare engine block on an engine stand, the water tube is the only thing in/on the block and the mongrel thing still won't come out.........lol........so my advice is unless you absolutely have to try and get the thing out, don't.........its just a vicious rumor that they can be removed.........lol........but I still keep tryin'.....andyd

[james curl]

I have remover three of them with nothing more than a pair of needle nose pliers. I may be the luckest person in the world, pulled my floor pan the first time and did not break any bolts, have pulled it numerous times since with out a hint of trouble. I keep reading what a pain this or that is and so far the only pain is in my joints not in the car.

[Niel Hoback]

Here's a picture of a guy removing a water tube with a pair of Leatherman pliers.

Honestly, it can be done if you pray to the mopar gods.

[Don St Peter]

Trust me, you should pull it out and inspect it anytime you replace the water pump. Accessability at this point is the issue. If you are having a hard time pulling it out.... that indicates it probably is in bad shape.

Don

[Andydodge]

James & Neil........feel like a trip to Australia?..........I'll put the coffee & donuts on........or beer if you prefer........the funny(well not really) thing is that it looks like its in good condition, not overly rusty, but it will not move, I've pored WD40, engine oil etc down it, squirted same thru the manifold stud holes, also down a couple of head bolt holes that lead into the water jacket, have gently pushed/hammered 1/8 x 1/2 steel strip down each side to about halfway, have made a hole in the front of the tube and hooked a "J" shaped metal hook into it and tried gentle levering, not so gently levering and downright bloody vigourous levering and all it does is straighten out the 5/16" hooked hook......short of attaching the hook to the engine hoist and lifting the block by the tube I don't know what else to do..........so what flight do you guys intend to be on?............lol.......Andy(watertube)Douglas

[Normspeed]

Here's the removal tool that worked for me after a few weeks of failed attempts. It's 1/8" X 1/2" X 36" steel stock. I ground a screwdriver shape on the end and drove it between the sides of the tube and the block. Then I ground the hook into it with a Dremel wheel, hammered it in and up, clamped on a big vise grips and hammered on them with a 3 lb sledge, a poor man's slide hammer. The tube came out in two pieces. I threw it down, called it names, told it I had won, launched it with a mighty kick, it richocheted off my tool box and hit me in the shin. These things are pure evil.

[Andydodge]

Norm..........have just had 2/3rds of a bottle of Merlot.....the bride had the remaining 1/3rd.....hic....went well with the grilled salmon & vegies..........lol........its called a "cleanskin", it says on the bottle, "2004 Cabernet Merlot South Eastern Australia", so it could be from anywhere........lol......enjoyed your reply.......lol......I have only wacked the steel strip in halfway, but it maybe in for a further pounding........lol.........ah.......Mopars........pox ridden mongrel bastards......and I say that only after 37yrs..........lol......andy(hic)d........

[Normspeed]

Ahhh, Australian Cabernet, a favorite of mine. Lindemanns and Black Swan are a couple tasty ones we can get at the local market. Gotta watch out though, just like the water distribution tube, the Black Swan will have its revenge.

[Andydodge]

LOL.......................burp................it did...........lol.........andyd