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As some of you know (those that have been helping me), I have lately had alot of problems with my '90 3.1. I finally managed to fix the car the other week by installing a coolant temp sensor....and apparently one problem caused another. I noticed a coolant leak the other day and traced it to the heater hose quick-connect that is screwed into the intake right below the coolant temp sensor (apparently I bumped it installing the sensor, and now it is leaking).

Today I decided to go out in the cold and work on the car, and of course in the process of removing the old pot metal hose connector, it broke off at the threads, and the rest of the connector is still screwed into the intake.

I know this is a widespread design problem with many GM engines, and I know I'm not the first to have this happen to. So, my question is: Is there any true method to pulling the remaining part of the connector out of intake without causing damage? I stopped working on the car as soon as this happened, because I dont want to cause further damage by pulling it out.

I have been reading around, and I've been seeing people using EZ-outs (but im afraid this will mess up the aluminum threads), and I've even seen that they make a special tool for this kind of problem.

Please let me know if you guys have any tips for me.

This same thing happened to me with my 3.1. I had to remove the intake, drill out the old piece, and tap new threads. I used a fitting from a 3100 the second time, they are harder steel.

I found this tool that apparently is specifically made for this particular problem This and will probably order it and try it first before I do anything drastic like that.....

Dang man you just can't get a break.
I like Lisle stuff, they build some much needed tools.

Money pit Beretta wrote:Dang man you just can't get a break.
I like Lisle stuff, they build some much needed tools.

LOL, no kidding! Its just one problem after another with me.

I bought the tool today for $10, I will probably work on the car tomorrow when the snow subsides. I really hope this thing doesn't give me too much trouble while trying to take it out.

Update when you get it done. How are you brakes doing?

Money pit Beretta wrote:Update when you get it done. How are you brakes doing?

My Brakes? I really haven't ever had any brake problems....why?

I got annoyed cutting my hands open on the damn exhaust shield yesterday when I was trying to extract the fitting, so I just drove it up to my mechanic in town and he fixed it for $50. LOL, my mechanic said that he actually had to pull the brake master cylinder off to actually get some leverage to pull the fitting out the rest of the way. For all the trouble that the damn fitting is, it was worth the money to pay someone to fix it. I haven't picked the car up yet, but my mechanic said that it isn't leaking anymore, so i'm happy.

I'll keep you guys updated.

Just checking on the brakes. Guess you have been keeping them in good shape. Fifty bucks is cheap!

Money pit Beretta wrote:Just checking on the brakes. Guess you have been keeping them in good shape. Fifty bucks is cheap!

Brakes are good. Over the fall it got new pads, drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, etc.

Bad news is I walked outside this morning to find a huge puddle of coolant under the car, so apparently I have a leak somewhere else, or the connector is somehow leaking again. I will look the car over today or tomorrow to figure out where the leak is coming from.....

Dang man that sucks. Did you use a thread sealer or PTFE tape? I not sure that you really need it but I never take a chance on that kind of thing.

Money pit Beretta wrote:Dang man that sucks. Did you use a thread sealer or PTFE tape? I not sure that you really need it but I never take a chance on that kind of thing.

Apparently the metal pipe that the heater hose connector is connected to changes to a rubber hose once it gets close to the firewall. Its leaking from the rubber hose right where it goes into the firewall.....no big deal. Im just gonna fix it tomorrow, and all should be good.

Cool, glad to hear that it's something easy.
How is it running?

Money pit Beretta wrote:Cool, glad to hear that it's something easy.
How is it running?

Its running as good as a 3.1 with 170K miles on it can run, to say the least. LOL. I decided to get the hose changed by my mechanic, because of how cold its been outside. I should get the car back tomorrow, so I'll let you know how its doing.

Have you done the Sea Foam clean yet? I had 213K on my 90GT and it ran strong. It would start with a boom. This 3100 I have now doesn't start like that. I did put Restore in on many oil changes(every one for two years) and when I thought it was good enough I put Slick 50 in.
I hear you on the cold, it's been damn cold here and there has been some snow and ice. I can't get anything done.

Money pit Beretta wrote:Have you done the Sea Foam clean yet? I had 213K on my 90GT and it ran strong. It would start with a boom. This 3100 I have now doesn't start like that. I did put Restore in on many oil changes(every one for two years) and when I thought it was good enough I put Slick 50 in.
I hear you on the cold, it's been damn cold here and there has been some snow and ice. I can't get anything done.

Yeah, I've Sea Foamed the car here and there. I have been using the Lucas Oil Treatment with every oil change for probably the last 20K miles, and it seems to be doing good. I tend to avoid Engine Restore simply because it can actually clog up the oil pump screen on some cars and drop oil pressure (it did on my S10). It's supposed to be a little warmer this week, so hopefully I will have the chance to play around with the car some and possibly get it running a bit better.