Technical Slight issue at last service

[SiloSean]

Long story short, last time I serviced my 1.3 mjet 4x4, when changing the air filter I hit a snag that I have never come across before. When tightening down the screws to secure the cover, one screw would not tighten all the way down, it won't unscrew either. It seems that the bit it threads into is now loose. I am getting to the point that I will need to service it again in a coming months, but not sure how to get the screw out other than to cut it off. Guess that I'm going to need a new air box. Anyone had anything like this?

Believe the part number for the air box is 51946541

 

[TTR]

Eh up

If it’s spinning, it’s not catching on owt, I’d undo all the others then carefully lever straight up equally all the way round. It will pop the cover off, just go carefully. Once of cut, remove the old screw. Go next size up and it should bite in, or drop some plastic weld in the old casing hole and then same size screw in , it will cut its own thread just go slowly like if you were cutting a thread.

 

[WitleyPanda]

Eh up

If it’s spinning, it’s not catching on owt, I’d undo all the others then carefully lever straight up equally all the way round. It will pop the cover off, just go carefully. Once of cut, remove the old screw. Go next size up and it should bite in, or drop some plastic weld in the old casing hole and then same size screw in , it will cut its own thread just go slowly like if you were cutting a thread.

Or insert a walled thread insert. Then use a standard screw rather than the self tapper. This might give you more of the concept. https://uk.spirol.com/assets/files/ins-threaded-inserts-design-guide-uk.pdf

 

[SiloSean]

Eh up

If it’s spinning, it’s not catching on owt, I’d undo all the others then carefully lever straight up equally all the way round. It will pop the cover off, just go carefully. Once of cut, remove the old screw. Go next size up and it should bite in, or drop some plastic weld in the old casing hole and then same size screw in , it will cut its own thread just go slowly like if you were cutting a thread.

Does seem like whatever it screws into has sheared, thus just spins without actually doing anything. I guess I might be able to remove the air box without taking out the filter. Have a look under to see if I can find a break. I have done a bit of plastic welding before, so should be able to sort something.

 

[SiloSean]

Or insert a walled thread insert. Then use a standard screw rather than the self tapper. This might give you more of the concept. https://uk.spirol.com/assets/files/ins-threaded-inserts-design-guide-uk.pdf

Will have a look at that when I get nearer the service interval. As failed the mot, I have some more pressing work to do on her, new propshaft and lower suspension arms to change.