I know these covers are very fragile so I’m asking for tips on removal. I’ve got clear access with the rear bumper panel removed but, on inspection, I’m worried about the corrosion there is on the steel that this alloy part bolts up too. I’ve given the joint a really good soaking with graphite penetrating fluid overnight and will give it another good soaking tonight but I’m wondering what I should do next to release the cover, hopefully tomorrow. :bang: :bang: Comments from my forum mates would be appreciated.

Ian, If the filter will not come off readily Tap it 'lightly' with a rubber hammer in the middle to shock the joint this should work unless the corrosion is bad and you may need to be more firm - watch out for the oil loss too.

Ian.

I don't know if the earlier engines had this useful tab that I have on my engine, but here featured in the same arrangement on my 900e van.

MAL_0146 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

just smash the bejeebers out of it..
I'm sure I can sell you one for £250


or... it's just time patience and lots of tapping with a rubber mallet is what I did.....


but Sean and Andy may be along with their experience of removal from ultra rusty cars

Bleeding Knuckles said:

Ian, If the filter will not come off readily Tap it 'lightly' with a rubber hammer in the middle to shock the joint this should work unless the corrosion is bad and you may need to be more firm - watch out for the oil loss too.

Ian.

Click to expand...

Thanks Ian. Hopefully the fluid will have got into the joint and it won’t take too much hitting when I try tomorrow.

fiat500 said:

I don't know if the earlier engines had this useful tab that I have on my engine, but here featured in the same arrangement on my 900e van.

MAL_0146 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

Click to expand...

Thank you Peter. The tab shown on your photo shows that Fiat gave thought to this but unfortunately on the engines prior to the change from D to F models the belt pulley is integral to the cover and it fits over the main steel body which contains the oil slinger so there isn’t any convenient point to lever against.

Bigvtwin996 said:

just smash the bejeebers out of it..
I'm sure I can sell you one for £250


or... it's just time patience and lots of tapping with a rubber mallet is what I did.....


but Sean and Andy may be along with their experience of removal from ultra rusty cars

Click to expand...

Now Peter why didn’t I think of that :doh: just send you some money for a new one! So easy :nono::nono: No, I think I’ll go with treating it gently taking your second suggestion Thanks

IanEmery said:

Thank you Peter. The tab shown on your photo shows that Fiat gave thought to this but unfortunately on the engines prior to the change from D to F models the belt pulley is integral to the cover and it fits over the main steel body which contains the oil slinger so there isn’t any convenient point to lever against.

Click to expand...

:bang: Prototypes!

fiat500 said:

:bang: Prototypes!

Click to expand...

Or..........................built before cost cuttings :rumour: :chin:.............

I’m sure Peter will tell us which soon

IanEmery said:

Or..........................built before cost cuttings :rumour: :chin:.............

I’m sure Peter will tell us which soon

Click to expand...

The earlier ones are designed for those who appreciate the aesthetics of design... rather than the practicalities of removal....

Hi Ian,

Can you post a before picture?

(Before you break it, I mean :devil: )

AL.

F123C said:

Hi Ian,

Can you post a before picture? (Before you break it, I mean :devil: )

AL.

Click to expand...

and an after
you will see many broken ones with a piece of the pulley missing, it seems to be that as there are little slots in the alloy the usual approach is to try to use a screwdriver wedged in the outer edge of the pulley to lever the cover off...


Here's one someone did earlier... (and it wasn't me!)



ohhh can you imagined that polished up

Bigvtwin996 said:

and an after
you will see many broken ones with a piece of the pulley missing, it seems to be that as there are little slots in the alloy the usual approach is to try to use a screwdriver wedged in the outer edge of the pulley to lever the cover off...

Click to expand...

....ooops!


Factory tool? surely?

fiat500 said:

....ooops!


Factory tool? surely?

Click to expand...

but it would be the size of a house and involve removing the engine and mounting it on a special frame..

How about tapping threads into a couple bolt holes opposite each other. Screw a couple of bolts into the cover and pull on the bolts using self locking pliers? Or do the above and use slide hammer gently on bolt/s?

ohhh can you imagined that polished up? I can....




Joe R

F123C said:

Hi Ian,

Can you post a before picture?

(Before you break it, I mean :devil: )

AL.

Click to expand...

Hi Al,

Before and after pictures, as requested

Bigvtwin996 said:

but it would be the size of a house and involve removing the engine and mounting it on a special frame..

Click to expand...

Should this become a “Forum Approved Workshop Tool” or just stay as a very useful, non-damaging, tool?

Very little crud on the filter plate and no evidence of metal particles so I’m a happy ? boy!

jackwhoo said:

How about tapping threads into a couple bolt holes opposite each other. Screw a couple of bolts into the cover and pull on the bolts using self locking pliers? Or do the above and use slide hammer gently on bolt/s?

Click to expand...

A good idea but, as it happens, the cover came off fairly easily for me. I don’t know if it was the graphite release fluid that did the job or what but now it’s off I really don’t know why I was so worried ?

tjmra said:

ohhh can you imagined that polished up? I can....

View attachment 189260


Joe R

Click to expand...

Mmmmmmm nice!