N62 valley pan gasket replacement begins! Questions

[garrett.fell]

I started the tear-down this weekend to address the coolant leakage problems I've been experiencing

I've got the intake removed now and ordered a bunch of parts over the weekend to fix both the coolant leak as well as the oil leaks from the valve covers and upper timing covers

A couple questions

Is it necessary to remove the water-pump to remove and replace the valley pan? I am guessing that's the only way I am going get around the tube that runs to the heater? I am not 100% sure how that tube is connected to the water pump. Does it just pull-out?

A couple observations.

I am not 100% sure that my problem was the valley-pan. It's possible it was the T connection at the hose that runs from the expansion tank to both cylinder heads. It sits under the front part of the manifold. This connection broke/was discovered broken after I removed the intake.

If you look at these pics you'll notice where the coolant is and isn't.






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