I'm removing the intake plenum to replace the rear valve cover
gasket and I can't figure out how to get the two coolant hoses
off the bottom rear of the plenum due to the very limited access.
Anybody been there -- done that ?? suggestions??

 

Lift it up and forward a little, or try to flip it backwards.

Really, just do whatever you can to get a pair of pliers back there. I bypassed all of that throttle body coolant the first time I took my manifold off. Much easier now, without it.

 

i just cut em when i did my mevi and threw some new and longer size hose for both sides... much easier now all i gotta do is get the mounting bolts out for the plenum and pull it up... now i can get both of my hands in there

 

Just wanted to add a heads-up, If you haven't taken these off yet, be extremely careful with the heater core hoses entering the firewall. I had to remove them to get to the p/side bolt on the rear of the manifold, and the plastic neck of the heater core was so fragile that it just snapped right off while I was twisting the hose. I now am being quoted $330 in labor alone to replace the core. In other words, looks like it's going to be a long, cold winter!

 

hey "2pb".. i did mine like the way you did it to get to the rear mounting bolt... took the mounting bracket off from the fender wall and pushed it down as much as i could... no problems for me tho....

 

I used needle nose pliers and some leverage. The bi*ch part is putting them back on. Or forgeting about them and bolt everything back up.

 

Thanks guys . Got 'em off and then back on. I think I spent as much time on these
two hoses as I did removing/installing EVERYTHING else. I Definately reccommend
getting two new hoses in advance and cut the old ones off as khantalha says.
Those little spring clamps are fine when they are on an accessible hose , but
they are truly a pita when you can barely see/touch them -yet alone fit pliers
in a confined space.