Question about the overflow tank heater return hose.

I have a question that I'm afraid to ask for fear of the answer.

Can the rubber heater return hose (#18 from plate 20 "Cooling System Nourice"....Ferrari calls this a "return sleeve from underfloor pipe to tank") be replaced with the engine in the car? This is the smaller hose that connects to the bottom of the overflow tank at the RH front side. I know it can be removed from the tank but the question is can it be disconnected from the heater's metal return pipe? Is there access somehow with the engine in the car? I'm guessing this connection is located somewhere in front of the engine but don't know where. Has anyone ever done this or is this connection only possible when the engine is out?

If only when out, since its just the heater return, I've thought about just clamping it off for now. Would that do any harm?

 

Mitchell,

Thanks for the response. Yes, a picture would be great if its not too much trouble. You say you're in the middle right now. The hose I'm talking about or more?

I'm only guessing at this point that the heater return hose is at fault. When I replaced my overflow tank last year, I noticed a small split at the clamp that I thought I had fixed but maybe not. If its some other hose, it would have been from the shop that did the engine out just before I bought the car. That was around 1000 miles ago. Anyway, There is a leak that has to be fixed.

As to clamping off, do you mean a PM? What?

By the way, how do you remove the engine lid by yourself without scratching anything (or do you need a helper). Any tips?

 

Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice. Mitchell, if you want to post some pics, that would be great.

 

Thanks Mitchell. Great advice and photos!