Hi all,
I bought the K&N Air Filter and I'm trying to put it into the CL-S I have. However, the damn screws that hold the air filter cover in place are correded. They just won't budge. I've tried all the way up to a 12v power screw driver and the screws won't move.

What is the best way to clean these screws without damaging them or the air filter cover? I can try steel wool or baking soda/water combo.

Thoughts?

Sounds so trivial but I want to do it right.

Also, trying to replace my fog lights and can't get those housings to come loose either. Just not having much luck today.

Thanks,
RM

 

try some wd-40, I also remember hearing a lot of people saying 'PB blaster' for stuff like this.

 

The PB Blaster stuff worked great. I was able to get both screws off.

Now onto my other problem...I swear the K&N Air Filter 33-2178 that we're supposed to order for our cars doesn't fit. I had a hell of a time getting the air filter cover back on. Eventually, one of the upside down "U" shaped clasp at the back of the filter cover broke and I was able to get the filter cover in the proper position to screw it down with both screws.

I'm not concerned about it though. The cover is on very tight and the screws are in place as well. I tried moving the cover with my hand and it wouldn't budget. There's also no way for unfiltered air to get into that area as the air filter itself blocks any whole that might be there.

I couldn't figure out if the filter was meant to get into the top of the cover and then put the cover back down or if it should have gone onto the part that stays attached to the car. I tried both ways and both wouldn't let me get the cover back on properly until the darn "U" clasp broke off.

I guess if the air filter isn't properly on my car should die in 10,000 miles or less

-RM

 

The Type S and Type P have different filters... 33-2178 fit fine on my Type S though... so dont know what to tell you.

 

Hey RM - It might be time to get a Comptech Icebox!

 

That's normal. It can be hard to get the cover back on with the K&N. It fits, you just have to play with the lid till it gets just right.

 

I think your car is telling you something.

 

I couldn't get mine off with a screw driver either. Socket wrench took care of it without a problem. If both screw head and sides are stripped, you may have to drill them out.

And my K&N slipped right into my '01 CL-S.

 

I scraped many a knuckle trying to get my K & N installed. Now I got the AEM!!

 

Come on guys, if I can change to a K&N anyone can!

 

actually you can use a socket to remove those air filter screws 10mm I believe

 

10mm has got to be the most popular size on the car

 

If the screws are stripped sears sells screw and bolt removers and extracters. Just in case you don't want to drill out the screws.

 

yeah, i had to use the socket on mine.

 

Thanks for the replies, all.

I got the air filter in and the cover back on - albeit breaking one of the upside-down 'U' filter cover holders on the back side of the cover.

The screws aren't stripped...they were just heavily corroded and wouldn't budge. The PT Blaster stuff worked well enough -- though I had to wait at least 30 minutes before the screws would move.

I lost three screw bits down into the bowels of the engine compartment trying to move those screws. After I finished everything up, I drove the car in the garage and only one screw bit came out. The other two are causing problems on Seattle highways now I'd imagine.

As for an icebox...I probably should have done that a long time ago. At this point, I'm planning on dumping the car next year (depending on the financial situation). That BMW 335 just looks TOO hot to pass up.

-RM

 

Its actually an 8mm and yes use a socket because you can get more leverage and its very easy to strip the screw with a phillips