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header install caused leak?

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Old 05-12-2020, 01:12 PM
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header install caused leak?

So I was installing header onto the 07 2.4... everything fit nicely, so I started to tighten bolts up. Walked away to change tools and noticed in now leaking liquid... lots of it, from the pipe under where the header/ manifold is..

What is that pipe? Any ideas on why it works have started leaking while not working on it?

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Old 05-12-2020, 01:36 PM
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That's the water tube to the water pump.
You must have hit it to cause an O-Ring to leak.
Drain coolant, remove the tube, clean sealing areas and install new seals.
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:38 PM
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So its the coolant line... headers are pushing on it. Headers shouldn't be pushing on it i assume.

So now I'm in a pickle, i can't use headers on this or does something have to be modified?
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:45 PM
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Somebody else had the same problem last week. I think he ended up trying to rotate the transfer pipe a little. Evidently the headers are not designed for HHR, if you can find out exactly what car the template came from you could try getting a tube from one of them. In other words, contact the vendor.

I would consider using a BFH to deform the tube, if I thought a header would make a real difference.
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:48 PM
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It was listed for the 05-10 cobalt, 06-10 hhr, 04-05 ion and 04-07 ion2 all 2.2/2.4 non turbos.. was hoping for easy bolt on.. but guess not.
Best way to remove the pipe?
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Old 05-12-2020, 03:44 PM
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The only way is to remove the t-stat housing then pull it out O-rings on each end, I believe there is a slot & tab alignment arrangement on one end maybe both ends; that would need "adjusting.

If you think you may need a water pump anytime soon you might consider doing at this time, since that is half the job.

If it was advertised to fit, I would contact the vendor and slowly escalate my demands.
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Old 05-12-2020, 07:43 PM
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No indication I need a water pump so ill stay away from that part... The tstat housing busted when I rotated the pipe.. So I yanked the one from the wrecked car, new O Rings and put it all back together..
Before tighting it down I turned the pipe so the Headers would fit. However, the O Ring on the pipe, Tstat side (driver side) wont stay straight and sealed when I turn the pipe. The water pipe lays against the engine like I found in this pic. But needs turned, so the bend is down.

However Like I said, when I turn the bend down, it wont seal at the O Ring.

Last edited by SwaintaN; 05-13-2020 at 07:21 AM.
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Old 05-12-2020, 08:03 PM
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How did you address the issue with the tab and slot?
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Old 05-12-2020, 09:22 PM
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Didfn't that's how it broke.
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Old 05-13-2020, 03:50 AM
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Yea what he said.. lol it broke.
so when I installed the housing from the other car I filed off the broken tab, allowing me to turn the pipe.
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