LIM gasket replacement with tensioner & water pump in-place?

[LWL]

I'll be changing the LIM gaskets soon and have watched several vids on this. It looks like its possible to wiggle the LIM back onto the metal coolant elbow during the reinstall without disturbing the LIM gaskets. It looks pretty difficult to get the metal elbow to go in on those vids but they get it in, is it that difficult to get the o-ring to go into the manifold when its being guided into place this way?. Is this the way its normally done? My water pump & metal elbows are relatively new. Thanks for any insight.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Use some Vaseline on the O-rings and use a scouring pad such as scotch-brite to clean out the holes where the elbows go into.

 

[02LTD2.0]

When I've done the LIM gaskets I removed the tensioner assembly. I think it's just easier with it out of the way!

 

[RD_Atlanta]

+1 to 02LTD2.0
Removing the tensioner is easy & permits you to properly clean out the inevitable residual O-ring material from the receiver holes.