My VOD Journey

[alexwolf1216]

So my new friend DJDogbone came by today with his pressure tester to help me with the diagnosis from the valley of death. We got it to 15PSI, and I have never seen more leaks ever. It was like a strainer with spaghetti draining through it. After seeing all of the leaks, we dove right in. It took about 3 hours to get it all out, and thankfully there were NO broken bolts and no block rot. Everything came out pretty easy. Here are some photos.

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[Domi]

Great photos, thanks for sharing ;)
I also need to change my water pump someday, this give me some strength to do it soon.

[Mike F]

Nice! Looks like you had fun!

Getting down to the valley with no broken bolts and no block rot is a wonderful feeling. Like a weight off your shoulders! 😃

[AugustneverEnds]

Amazing how having a partner takes some of the frustration out of the whole process (including finding and correcting the damned leaks!) Well done gentlemen! :thumbup:

[DMCMW Dave]

Amazing how having a partner takes some of the frustration out of the whole process (including finding and correcting the damned leaks!) Well done gentlemen! :thumbup:

Especially someone else who's see the car before!

[Bitsyncmaster]

Getting down to the valley with no broken bolts and no block rot is a wonderful feeling. Like a weight off your shoulders! 

That is the reason I did the valley shortly after buying the car. I'll bet those of you that have not checked worry about it on most long trips.

[DMC5180]

You are very fortunate ALL the bolts on the Y- pipe came out. Typically the back RH one with the heater pipe tab will be corroded into the Y-pipe and the Head with snap off.
From what I see your VOD is VERY CLEAN and corrosion free. No Dirt and debris. LUCKY,LUCKY!

[AugustneverEnds]

Especially someone else who's see the car before!

Of course! Also just helps to have someone to commiserate with... I would have loved even having that in 2013 when I did mine

[djdogbone]

I enjoyed it. We had the proper tools, took our time on the usual trouble spots and got a lot done in a short amount of time...and learned a few things along the way. When the parts arrive, we'll put her back together.

It was a real enjoyable experience.

[Flash66]

It was a real enjoyable experience.

Now there's something you don't hear everyday!

[DMC5180]

You can say that when you don't have to deal with frozen/broken bolts.

[AugustneverEnds]

I enjoyed it. We had the proper tools, took our time on the usual trouble spots and got a lot done in a short amount of time...and learned a few things along the way. When the parts arrive, we'll put her back together.

It was a real enjoyable experience.

I did have broken bolts and, yes I cursed and slammed my fists down, but just sticking it out and learning how the engine and several areas of the D function was one of the more rewarding experiences I've had with the car. Especially when it does get put back together and actually works: partyhat: One of my favorite memories when dealing with cars, period. I still feel satisfaction driving around knowing what it looks like in the VOD and that the gaskets were replaced with new ones and lined with sealant or all of the hoses are silicone now. Inspired a lot of confidence in the car and this year I put 6k miles on it, trouble free.

[DMC5180]

Glad you enjoyed the experience and satisfaction of overcoming the typical VOD hassles.

[alexwolf1216]

Wwwweeeellllll we hit a snag today. There are a couple cooling hoses that go on either side of a metal pipe, passenger side, which also has some ATF running through it. Cant get the cooling hoses on and cant get the pipe off. The dual nuts are frozen, and the other end is attached to the tranny with no real access. Had a super fun day again though!

[DMC5180]

I'm fairly sure the ATF cooler pipe is a larger diameter than the rest of the cooling system pipes. I believe the two connector hoses need to be dual diameters 1.25 on one end and perhaps 1.375 or 1.5 on the other. I've heard in some cases where you can put single diameter hoses in very hot water to soften them in an effort to get them to flex/expand over the larger diameter.

Are you working with standard rubber or silicone hoses?

[Domi]

I like your blue line :)
Good job on your car :thumbup2:

[alexwolf1216]

I'm fairly sure the ATF cooler pipe is a larger diameter than the rest of the cooling system pipes. I believe the two connector hoses need to be dual diameters 1.25 on one end and perhaps 1.375 or 1.5 on the other. I've heard in some cases where you can put single diameter hoses in very hot water to soften them in an effort to get them to flex/expand over the larger diameter.

Are you working with standard rubber or silicone hoses?

Its a silicone set from DPI. Josh gave me some hints on how to install. Hopefully things go smoother when we try again.

[alexwolf1216]

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[DMC5180]

I'm a bit jealous in seeing these photos of your project. Not for the reason you might think thought. I'm jealous for the fact you CAN do this with the garage door open in the comfort of warm temperatures. Yes it's it's bit cold out in the upper midwest at the moment with a couple inches of Snow on the ground and I don't have heated garage.:mecry:

[AugustneverEnds]

I'm a bit jealous in seeing these photos of your project. Not for the reason you might think thought. I'm jealous for the fact you CAN do this with the garage door open in the comfort of warm temperatures. Yes it's it's bit cold out in the upper midwest at the moment with a couple inches of Snow on the ground and I don't have heated garage.:mecry:

You're singing my song comrade