Okay, I've done so much of my own work (repairing and customizing) on my cars (front suspension, timing belt/tensioner/oil seals, water pump, brakes, instruments, etc.) that I haven't had to take any of them to the dealer in years! Now it looks like I have to bite the bullet -- all because of the stinkin' little hoses!

Really disappointing: the two little engine-to-firewall coolant hoses to and from the heater core -- one of them has sprung a pin-hole leak! I've owned a half-dozen 240s since about 1978, and most of them were high mileage (as much as 280,000 miles), and never once did I run into a leak on those hoses -- I considered them indestructible/eternal, until now. On a mere '93 240 with 138,000 miles, this one is squirting a fine spray occasionally! I can even see where the little hole must be, as it's crusted over (like a slow radiator leak gets, sometimes).

But for the life of me, I can't figure out how to reach the little suckers. My arm's too short, too fat, and it doesn't have enough additional joints to snake in there! I've looked from underneath, too, and it's just blocked from my reach.

The only way I can see getting to them is to remove the intake manifold and all the little parts on them. Is that right? Or am I missing something easier?

It looks like a lot of hours of labor (by the book? at $115/hr!), too -- all for a couple of hoses that can't be more than about $10-15!

I hope I hear some good news before I make the appointment! If you know an easy way, please let me know.

Thanks, all.