WILSON1776

Hello,

I am in the process of installing new Lower Coil Covers on my C7, Z51 (dry sump engine)... I had no trouble removing the OEM Lower Coil Cover on the driver side, but I have encountered a problem with the passenger side Coil Cover.... There is what appears to be a vacuum line for the dry sump system protruding from the OEM Lower Coil Cover, along with a nipple style plug in a rubber grommet. I have wiggled, pulled, and twisted it, but it doesn't move.

FYI, it is located about in the center of the Lower Coil Cover; and, this "connector" that I am referring to is the white colored image on the passenger side, Lower Coil Cover, near the center of the Coil Cover, and adjacent to the fuse box...(see the pix below). The problem is I am having difficulty "unplugging" that rubber grommet/ connector so I can remove the OEM Lower Coil Cover. Obviously, I am concerned about breaking the plug and/or rubber grommet; so, does anyone know how to remove it??? Thanks!!

time2run

Yeah, that one is a PITA! I did break mine so now it's pretty easy to remove. There are 2 plastic retaining clips at the base of the housing on opposite sides of each other. The best I can tell you is to squeeze the base of the housing and the clips should release and allow it to be removed.

Have fun!

WILSON1776

Thanks, time2run, I appreciate your feedback... I agree that it is one PITA!!! After reading your info, I went to my garage and put some light on the subject part...tried to locate the 2 plastic retaining clips - no luck seeing or squeezing the base of the housing... Are the 2 clips on each side of the grommet, or is one on top and the other on the bottom of it?

WILSON1776

time2run...just in case I break it, do you know the part number - presume you got your replacement at a Chevrolet dealer...Thanks!

time2run

No, I don't have the part number however I did a good job breaking mine trying to remove the #$^@&% thing. I know there's a simple trick to it but guess I'm even simpler. There are two little plastic locking tabs at the very bottom of the thing that lock into place when you push it in. My guess is you squeeze it at the base to push the tabs inward to release or you rotate the darn thing 90 degrees to align the tabs with a slot allowing it to be removed.

I just sold my Z51 and am waiting on the Z06 or I'd take a look and try and give you a more intelligent response. You can try sending a PM to Ben at WeaponX or Pete at Showstopper. I'm sure they are a lot smarter then me.

Thepiazza

I brooke mine as well when replacing them with a set of covers from Showstoppers. At the time Pete told me to just pull on it with some force and thats just what I did. I only broke one of the two tabs and have been driving around with no issues as of yet. Since it is not a pressurized line I'm thinking it"s OK. I did ask my deal about replacing it and it looks like the whole line needs to be replaced for $60 bucks. Since then I heard about guys who removed it successfully, broke one tab, and even a couple of guys who broke both of tabs. Unfortunately I have yet to here about a way to remove it successfully. Even my dealer broke the only one they had removed back when I asked. Good Luck!

WILSON1776

Thanks for your response, Thepiazza... FYI, one of the Forum members (Theta) in the C7 Tech & Performance section said the following:

"On mine (which should be the same plastic casting), the clips were front (toward the hood) and back (toward the cabin).

Several people have broken these, and there is no easy part replacement - you need the whole damned tube assembly. A lot of it came from being cold and brittle in the winter months. With heat from a recently-warm engine, I think they'd come out rather easily.

If you do end up breaking it, one of the clips will fall into the hole - use a spring-grabber or a dowel and bubble gun to grab it out. Ask how I know... After that, you can get by with the single clip and a larger O-ring."

time2run

Exact same situation for me. Never replaced mine and didn't have an issue.

MY70THAnv

There has to be a way to replace with out breking it. WHY does GM make things so hard...IE front Chrome Strip. and now THIS,,,

Ego-Trip

I'm in the same boat here trying to figure out how to remove that line. I have some brand new painted lower coil covers and haven't been able to install them due to this issue. I definitely don't want to break anything in the process but have yet to hear of anyone successfully removing that line without some collateral damage.

Steve Snake Driver

Any updates on removing this vent line without damaging it?

olyeller

I took a box cutter and cut the plastic tube off and replaced it with a rubber tubing. problem solved.

KRPTONT

Well it looks like a lot of us have broken that %^$# clip. $60 to replace the part is crap. As long as I see no one else has had a problem I guess I won't worry about it.

WILSON1776

Actually, I found it to be very simple... I used an interior tool, but it could be a screw driver with a "V" tip - merely place the "V" area of your tool under the "connector" piece (plug), and lift (pry) it straight up - it takes very little pressure (force) to lift it, and it will "pop" right out - mine was not damaged or broken, and I was able to re-insert it back in the same hole - easy to do, even for me!!