Hi all.
Despite the heroic efforts of a fello forum member (full and due credit given later) I am stuck.
I am trying to investigate high oil consumption and have decided to take the head off, but I am stuck getting the inlet manifold off.
It is the bottom of the 2 bolts where the water temperature gauge sits. I can't get a socket or anything on it due to the wiring loom that passes under the trhottle body. It is in the way. How do I get that out of the way?
Getting a bit desperate, been at it all day!
Any help gratefully received guys.

Sorry - not temperature gauge, I meant sensor - getting tired.

Hey. I too have been at my inlet today but putting it back on. The loom is held in place by two clips under the manifold. Unclip them with a flat head screwdriver (same type of clips as you see on top of the gearbox). You should then have enough wiggle room. Might also be worth pulling the clip holding onto the dipstick too.

Finding the bolt heads can be tricky. Feel along the bottom of the manifold. You will find it goes up and down. The bolts are under the down sections - sorry hard to explain. Hope this helps

Can you not remove the head with the inlet attached then remove it once it's off the car ?

I am not sure if you can do that can you?
The bible of Haynes says to take the inlet off first.
The problem is really frustrating as I can just get a ring spanner on the bolt but the other end of the spanner hits the gearbox before it has time to move anything.

AndyRKett said:

Can you not remove the head with the inlet attached then remove it once it's off the car ?

Click to expand...

Sadly not on a 16v engine as the manifold covers access to a bolt holding the head extension on

Luckily mine is an 8v but I still can't get the bu**er off!

pooroldcodger said:

I am not sure if you can do that can you?
The bible of Haynes says to take the inlet off first.
The problem is really frustrating as I can just get a ring spanner on the bolt but the other end of the spanner hits the gearbox before it has time to move anything.

Click to expand...

I find it easier using a 3/8th socket set and ratchet spanners

Right
The head can! Be taken off with the inlet still attached but its much harder and risk damaging pipes

The loom is held in place with clips u need to undo these a flat long screwdriver under the inlet

But I find it better with extension bars to work around loom to access bolts

Top can be undone with a spanner iirc
But its been a long while since ive done one tbh


Ziggy

It is this bolt (the lower one on the sensor with the green plug).
The moulding prevents me from getting even a tiny socket on it .

Thanks Ziggy. So are you saying you think you can leave the loom in place but still get at the lower bolt with a long is h extension?

I remember this being a total PITA when I did it too, really struggled with those.

I got them off with a 1/4" socket set, and if I remember correctly, a flexible extension bar.


But after a lot of cursing!

Glad it's not just me. Round 2 about to begin...

Well so far I have broken 2 1/4 13mm sockets and this bugg*er is getting rounded.
I think probably because it isn't seating completely straight.
I am sure the garage guy can't have had this off 4 weeks ago.
Starting to panic now - car's in bits and I'm getting nowhere slowly!

Just cut to the chase and take the head off with the manifold on, that's what I always do.

I have the ecu off, and the heater hose off.
Does the brake vacuum hose just pull off at the master cylinder end?
can you remember what else must come off so that the whole lot can come off together?

Hooray!
finally got the head off.
Here are some pics for your opinion.
There is a clear pool of oil on number 4 piston top, plus a bit of crud.
Any thoughts guys?

Does anybody know how much "movement/ play" is allowed in the pistons within the cylinders?

No idea, sorry, obviously the gap is filled with the rings.


Did you get the nut off in the end? You have my sympathy on that one...