need helo doing tune up on 300e

[amaryakhou]

Hi, I have a 1987 300e that needs a tune up. I have all the stuff I need and I am also going to replace the top timing cover gasket as well. I have the DIY article for this process but I cant seem to be able to remove the distributor cap. In the DIY article for the timing gasket replacement it shows pictures of the engine with a bent metal pipe that contains coolant. This pipe goes outward so that it is easier to remove the bottom screw. On my car, the pipe is straight and blocks access to the bottom screw of the distributor cap. I tried to remove the pipe from the left side of the cap and coolant started to gush out and I couldnt remove it. Does anyone know how to remove this pipe or to get to the bottom bolt easily? keep in mind that putting the bolt back in with the pipe still there in the way will be a lot harder than removing it, which is already hard. heres a link to the DIY article

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/M103TimingCoverReseal



thanks