So I decided to try to change my headlight bulbs today (lost one of my 10k bulbs in an accident a little while back). I change the passenger side one first, no problem, but when I go to change the driver's side that's where I ran into some difficulty. Anyone that has a Comptech Icebox knows that there are 3 screws holding the top piece to the bottom piece (parts that are covering the filter). The top two came out with no problem, however, the bottom screw will not come out. I think that the metal threaded piece on the bottom is no longer attached so the damn screw just turns and that's it. It will turn, but it won't get loose. I was dicking around with it for at least an hour, took the battery out for more room and tried to pry it open with a screwdriver (while trying to loosen the screw). With abslutely no progress. Anyone have any ideas how I can get the screw out without taking off my bumper and headlight?

Here's a couple pics so you can get an idea of what i'm talking about:

 

Thats exactly what happened to me. We (my performance shop and I) tried just about everything to get that bottem screw out. What we did though in the end was just unscrewed the top two screws and then we lifted up the ice box cover with a little force. I wish the screw worked but this works good enough. Once you need to get the box back on, place it on n lightly tap with a mallet or your palm and then screw in the two screws that work and tap it some more and it should seal fine, mine seals perfect. I hope that helps.

 

so pretty much, i have to loosen the two upper screws and then yank the hell out of the top cover and that should work? I was trying to do that, but i really didn't want to pull on it too hard (in case i damage the lower part or the filter.

 

Yeah thats what we ended up doing . It was very nerve racking watching it. A few firm tugs should do it, take it slow, we luckily didn't damage anything. When we did take off the cover what happened was that the metal (forgot proper name) thing that the screw screws into in the icebox plastic was spinning with the screw which caused the screw to spin and spin and not do anything at all. Metal and plastic do not mix well.

you might want to use something to help pry the bottem part.

after we got it out the first time, it becomes pretty easy to take off the cover whenever I need to see if the filter needs some cleaning.

 

Thanks, i'll play with it later today. I made the mistake of having the bodyshop (when they fixed my car) install the icebox and they never gave me back any of the paperwork, etc. I wasn't sure if i would screw anything else up if i just yank on the top cover harder and pull out the screw w/ the metal piece.

 

I decided to clean my filter today and remember to take a picture of what happened for future reference for other A-CL members.


I took a couple other pictures if anyone needs them.

 

lol same thing happened to mine! yanked it straight out...
i just clamped the screws down unbolt it and super glue it back onto the ice box lol kinda ghetto but it works

 

Happened to mine also. Seems to be common if you overtighten the screws. CT replaced my lower box for free. I had to pay shiiping of the old box back though.

 

Same thing happened to me.....TWICE. The first time Comptech replaced the box for the cost of shipping. The second time, I sold it when I parted out. For the record, I didn't over tighten the second time.

I yenked it out, and then I just used the top 2 screws.

 

interesting...It doesnt really bug me how it is now, too much more of a hassle to get it fixed than to just leave it how it is.

 

yeah, i ended up taking out the top screws, loosening the the clamp for the filter and opening the box enough to get the filter out. Then I unbolted the bottom portion from the inner fender and pulled the box out (removing the bottom tube from the bottom of the box). With the entire box out of the car, I then, was able to force the bottom screw out by pulling the top and bottom pieces apart and loosening the screw. Needless to say, the bottom screw will never be in my icebox again. I'm really thinking I should've just kept my AEM, overall, it was a LOT easier to work with. I could change my headlight bulbs w/out removing the intake, had that nice AEM sound at VTEC, and had approximately the same amount of power too.

Anyways, thanks for the help guys!!

 

Huh. I couldn't wait to get rid of my AEM. Once you leave out that bottom screw all will be fine. And how often do you change your headlight bulbs?

 

yep. just when you thought that Comptech and it's products are perfect, behold. they are flawed!

that same screw has acted up with me too. but i tightened it just enough for the lid to not move much.

 

If you buy those ice box recently, they've made a small and effective change on those problem. Instead of threading it to the plastic piece, they put extra nuts in there for the screw the thread on, so...no more stripping the plastics