Plastic Coolan Pipe install help

[mcibmw533]

Is there some sort of trick for getting the plastic coolant pipe installed into the head?  I'm in the middle of addressing the mess under the intake but can't seem to get the plastic pipe into place.  I was wondering if I need to remove the oil filter housing (but was hoping not to) to gain access to that side of the plastic flange on the coolant pipe.  I tried setting it into the hole and tapping on a very large flat head screwdriver with a hammer, but am afraid I'll crack the flange on my new coolant pipe.

Thanks,

Micah

[deansweet]

Are you talking about the connector pipe? Did you buy the genuine BMW part to replace it? If not, you may want to return and buy from bmw as it's been noted a few times the others do not work as well...

I would suggest cleaning up the inside bore and use some assembly lube like sil-glyde from napa to lube up the o-ring.
Put your finger in there and see how smooth the bore is, if it's rough then try some very fine sandpaper or triple ought steel-wool and ensure you wipe off any residue that's left behind by cleaning.

As for taking the the oil filter housing off, I don't think that would help near as much as having the intake out of the way which makes it way easier to get right of the mess under the intake.   

[bmwman91]

It is a tight fit with a new O-ring (as it should be). As Dean mentioned, you need to make sure that the bore is smooth and clean, and some rubber-safe assembly lube is required. I typically use silicone dielectric grease since it is cheap and readily available.

[mcibmw533]

Thanks for the tips.  Yes, it is a genuine BMW part and the intake manifold is off (I would hate to try to mess with it with the manifold in-place with my fat fingers).  Upon closer inspection, there is a fair bit of corrosion on the block where the pipe goes.  I'll be taking some sand paper to it and some sil-glyde lube to the o-ring and hope it slips in.

Thanks again.  Hopefully I'll have the motor back in the car in the not too distant future.  I think these cars are more enjoyable behind the wheel rather than in the garage in pieces, but it's been so long I can't remember.