Brake Vacuum Hose, having trouble removing - tips?

andyt11 · 02-10-2011, 06:24 PM

I'm half way through my first engine drop. Engine is coming out for valve guides and a few other little things.

Following the steps in the bentley manual it says to disconnect the brake vacuum line. See photo attached. Its the line that goes onto the white plastic (old / brittle) fitting that then is black plastic and separates to two lines. (the one in the picture that is slightly obscured by the three electrical connections) We can rotate the hose on the white fitting but cannot pull them apart. I assume the white fitting has some sort of lip inside and the hose is old and has formed itself on there.

Any tips for removal? I don't really want to cut it as I assume it goes to the front of the car. The two lines on the other side of the white fitting are permanently clamped and would be a pain to get a tool to if I wanted to cut them. Any pointers? Is this line under a lot of neg pressure or something? Cannot understand why we cannot separate.

Any help appreciated.

john walker's workshop · 02-11-2011, 04:23 AM

squeeze the hose with pliers just beyond where the end of the white nipple is inside the hose. this should open up a small gap at the hose end where you can get the tips of some needlenose pliers in. then pry sideways to work the hose off. i bought a spreader tool that has a open V on each side just for that hose. sort of like snap-ring pliers.

andyt11 · 02-11-2011, 04:28 AM

ok, I'll try that, is the white piece as brittle as I think? Any chance of breaking it do you think?

I never checked last last night, but I wonder if it can be disconnected in the wheel well / further down the line instead.

john walker's workshop · 02-11-2011, 05:38 AM

the white piece is fairly tough. there's no other link in the hose between the engine and rear torsion tube area where it ataches to a metal tube.

andyt11 · 02-11-2011, 06:04 AM

I've been trying to look up the tool you are talking about. Can you find one on line and post a link? Would be much appreciated. Want to get this thing off and get on but access is so difficult back there. A proper tool might well be worth a few bucks.

john walker's workshop · 02-11-2011, 07:25 AM

google-images- hose tool. you will still need to create a small gap using my first suggestion. or sometimes you get lucky by using it between the black plastic piece and planted firmly into the surface of the hose.

andyt11 · 02-11-2011, 08:30 AM

Thanks - I thought thats what it would look like. I'm off out at lunch to see if I can find one locally.