I recently went to an oil change chain and upon reviewing the service they said they weren't able to check the air filter because one of the screws could not be removed.

I haven't played with it yet, but the way he described it it sounds as though the screw threads into a metal nut that is held in place by some sort of plastic housing.

Apparently some jack-off overtorqued the screw/bolt such that the plastic seating for the nut got stripped so now the nut can spin freely with the bolt (instead of loosening).

Does this sound plausible? Has anybody experienced this? What have you done or do you suggest I should do?

I doubt he'd make something up like this because their whole purpose in life is to find things like air filters to replace with crazy profit margin.

 

First of all, go under you hood and check out by yourself how bad the screw really is.

 

try putting a small flat head screwdriver under the head of the screw and lift up slightly and unscrew the screw while lifting, apply more lifting pressure if needed

 

i had the same issue. I bought a 99 cent screwdriver, 2 dollar 1 ton epoxy and epoxied the screwdriver to the screw and then it came right out because you now have the ability to pull up on that screw. Then just replace the screw. If you want or need that screw i have an extra set of the stock screws layin around. It would only be like a buck or something ill hook you up with one if you want

 

ArT, I'd like to take you up on shipping the screw. Unfortunately I'm new and apparently don't have permissions to send a PM.

I tried prying up with a flathead screwdriver but there isn't room to get one in there. The one that spins is the screw in the corner closest to the passenger seat.

I like the epoxy idea, but 5-minute epoxy isn't strong enough. I'll try again with something better. Unfortunately I used an undersized screwdriver (because it was the one I was willing to sacrific) so I've now partially blocked the phillips slot.

At least I was able to lift the filter cover up enough once I got the other 3 screws out, to tell that I don't really need a new filter right away. I would like to install the new K&N I got though, if nothing else so I don't lose it.

Art, once you got the screw out what did you do to repair the holder so that the nut wouldn't spin on the new screw?

 

go to your account and in the settings you change to allow PMs
have to be a member for 1 full day- then allow the computer time to update your account

 

Thanks 01tl4tl

I think I've gotten it straight.

 

I have the same problem. The screw just won't go into the hole. Maybe some this is blocking it. Hmm?

 

Here's a follow up.

First, Bearwolph, that is not the same problem. My problem was that the screw wouldn't come out.

The air box housing has square nuts that are embedded in the plastic of the housing. On mind some cretin likely used and impact wrench or the like to tighten it until the metal bolt machined a round hole and just spun freely on the end f the screw.

It turns out that the air box housing is very easy to remove, just two screws and then I was able to access the underside of the screw and remove it. I bought a longer M5 screw with a washer and nut and bolted in my new air filter and then put the whole air box back in.

Then I ordered a new air box housing for about $50 delivered which I'll swap out when it comes time to check the filter again or when I feel like it. It should take 10-15 minutes since I'll have to take the filter out of the old one and put it in the new.

I bought the Kumoto drain plug and plan on doing my own routine maintenance from now on.