Mass Effect 3 Citadel GX12 Thermal Pipe Guide: Location, Steps, Rewards
If you’re working through Mass Effect 3’s Citadel: GX12 side content, this guide lays out what you need to do for the GX12 Thermal Pipe task—where to grab the required item, how the mission pacing works with Engineer Adams, and what you earn once the job is finally finished.
Key takeaways
- The GX12 side job gives 375 XP and increases your Reputation by 5.
- Completing the objective can grant the Optimized Eezo Capacitors War Asset worth 15 TMS.
- Engineer Adams won’t let you start or wrap up the mission right after “Priority: Sur’Kesh” because he relocates aboard the Normandy.
- You can avoid an extra purchasing cost by shopping on the Citadel rather than using the Normandy’s Procurement Interface.
- The Thermal Pipe purchase is made from Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies in the Presidium Commons.
Checklists
This section of the Mass Effect 3 wiki-style guide focuses on the Citadel: GX12 side mission, covering item locations, how to handle each combat sequence, and which decisions matter for your run.
If you’re looking for a specific part, the checklist includes entries for Mission Stats, Before We Begin, speaking with Engineer Adams, traveling to Widow, purchasing the Thermal Pipe, and then checking back in with Adams.
Mission Stats
Video Guide
Mission Rewards
- Mission Experience: 375 XP
- Reputation: +5
- War Asset: Optimized Eezo Capacitors (15 TMS)
Recommended Loadout
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Unique Dialogue:
- This side mission includes special dialogue if Ken and/or Gabby survived Mass Effect 2 and you brought them back aboard the Normandy using the Spectre Terminal.
- There’s even more unique dialogue if you use Tap to Reveal.
- This side mission includes special dialogue if Ken and/or Gabby survived Mass Effect 2 and you brought them back aboard the Normandy using the Spectre Terminal.
- There’s even more unique dialogue if you use Tap to Reveal.
Before We Begin
This side mission has an odd rhythm because of how Engineer Adams moves around the Normandy after “Priority: Sur’Kesh”. Once you finish the Sur’Kesh mission, Adams relocates from Engineering up to the Crew Quarters on the Crew Deck to accompany the doctor you selected—meaning you can’t begin or complete the side mission during that window.
Adams moves again after you complete another mission or side activity that involves landing on a planet outside the Citadel. That covers N7 missions, anything on Tuchanka, any available DLC, and “Attican Traverse: Krogan Team”.
Even after you turn the side mission in to Adams, you still need to wait for one additional mission before the pipe is actually installed. After that, you must check in with him again to finish the side mission and collect the rewards—admittedly, a frustrating extra step.
Talk to Engineer Adams
- Prerequisite: Complete “Priority: Sur’Kesh”, then complete any planetside Mission or Side Mission.
Technically, the side mission can be accessed as early as after “Priority: Palaven”. However, due to story timing, most players end up getting it after they finish “Priority: Sur’Kesh” and then complete at least one planetside mission or side mission (including N7 quests or the DLC available at that point).
When you’re ready, return to Adams’ station in Engineering. Specialist Traynor will often tip you off about new N7 missions or “Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation” first, so it’s a good idea to check Engineering directly rather than relying on her prompts.
Adams’ request is straightforward: he wants Shepard to pick up a GX12 Thermal Pipe to help keep the drive core from venting into the Engineering Bay when the ship is under heavy load. If you played Mass Effect 2 and ran the Suicide Mission without upgrading the Shields, you’ll recognize the general idea. Shopping time.
Travel to Widow
- Location: Serpent Nebula – Widow – Citadel – Presidium Commons – Bank
You could buy the required item through the Normandy’s Procurement Interface in the Shuttle Bay, but that option applies a 10% delivery markup, making the purchase costlier than it needs to be. The better approach is to go to the Citadel, since that’s where the shops are concentrated.
The Citadel serves as the galaxy’s central hub and is always indicated in the western portion of the Milky Way map.
Buy the Thermal Pipe
You can purchase Thermal Pipes from Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies in the Presidium Commons. From the elevator, head left and go up the stairs, then keep going straight until you reach the Elkoss Combine counter area on the bartop.
The item you need is listed as “E-Gel Thermal Conduit”, and it usually costs 1,000 credits—yes, the naming mismatch is real.
Check in with Engineer Adams
After buying the Thermal Pipe, go back to the Normandy and report to Adams. He’s already installing the part you purchased (and if Ken is nearby, he’ll be out handling the installation instead!).
To push everything forward, you’ll have to complete one more planetside Mission or Side Mission. Once you do, Traynor will inform you that Adams wants to catch up—so return and finish the exchange. Doing so awards +5 Reputation and 375 XP. If both Ken and Gabby were present during this side mission, you also receive the Optimized Eezo Capacitors War Asset worth 15 TMS.
Want more Mass Effect 3 help? The guide points you to additional pages covering Legendary Edition changes, how-to guides, key decisions and consequences, romance content, the walkthrough, and a broader side missions index.
- Legendary Edition Changes
- How-To Guides
- Key Choices and Consequences
- Romance Guide
- Walkthrough
- Side Missions
Up Next: Citadel: Hanar Diplomat
Top Guide Sections
- Legendary Edition Changes
- Game Basics
- Tips and Tricks
- How-To Guides
