Coolant reservoir replacement

Quick question about the coolant reservoir replacement: I will attempt this as soon as I can order the CR somewhere. Do I disconnect the battery for this? I am assuming YES since the fuel lines have to be disconnected. Thanks, Geert

you "should" disconect the battery any time you work on the car

When this job was done on my car a few weeks ago by 2 certified mechanics, they did it in less than an hour and did not disconnect the battery. Not saying they did it right or wrong, just stating what they did. They did not remove the fuel lines, just the airbox and there was a "trick" in getting the reservoir out and the new one in where there is apparently very little space to do so, but they did it in no time.

Gus, you have a new responsibility. You must find out what this trick is as soon as possible. Inquiring minds want to know.

I will, but I think its the one on Renntech where you just barely loosen something else and that gives you just enough room to just wiggle out the old tank. Will find out and get back.

Yes, Gus...please find out before the parts get in Will disconnect the car in any case, but it would be nice not to have to loosen the fuel lines! I hate doing it for all the obvious reasons--fire hazard, particles working in there, stripping something...murphys law, right. Geert

Yeah, I just paid the $100 to have them do it instead of me messing things up (always tends to happen when I grab a wrench...)

remember to wear some tight gloves. not kidding.

Here are some words that I found: "By removing the coolant level sensor first it allows more tank clearance and makes the extraction smoother. The tank can be removed with the engine in place by turning the tank sideways and wiggling it past the fuel rail. Make sure that the tank is empty and just wiggle it out. You should remove the secondary air injection pump and the air intake snorkel first."

Gus, thanks for digging around. I definitely remember reading that on Renntech, but subsequent posts revealed that it was still a very very tight fit. I'll definitely be looking to do the coolant tank replacement this spring so my keen interest should come as no surprise.

Yep, thanks Gus. I am waiting for the part to arrive from Sunset ($168 plus shipping). I also bought the parts for the 30k tune-up since I was going to be in there for the reservoir. I will let the group know how it goes. As for the $100 that Gus paid for the install, I have given up on getting those type of prices here in the Midwest. For starters, the dealer wants about $300 for the part (reservoir) and then tacks on the install by the book guide--total expenditure far past the $168 plus $100 mentioned by Gus. As for the 30K service, I heard it comes to about $850 but I can't confirm as I haven't checked on that price. Geert

I paid $220 for the tank and the labor was "off the record". Regular shop rate would have been $210. I live overseas where minimum wage is about $1.15 an hour.

your way better off to undo the fuel lines its a pits with the fuel line off , as long as you use common sense you wont have a fire, as for particles, same thing dont stuff it full of dirt youl be ok, stripping it. if your concered abour cross threadin or stripping it pehaps you shouldnt be working on it at all. On later cars 01+ you further ahead to undo the motor mounts and lower the motor as well ,