Air filter cover

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Pajtas - 20 Nov 2006 18:57 GMT

Hi.

I just bought a 2004 Focus.
The cover to air filter is difficult to remove and I dont want to force
it. There is one screw missing, and two screws "spin". The "nut" is
circular so I can't get a wrench on it.
I'm mostlikely going to take vice grips to it and chew everything up,
so I thought I'd ask if there it a trick to taking the cover off and
changing the air filter?

Thanks.

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EOO - 20 Nov 2006 21:08 GMT

> Hi.
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Thanks.

I had the same problem and it was a severe pain (especially in the fingers I
pinched with the pliers) after the dealer said it would
cost $200 to replace the whole box on 2001.

Best thing to do would be soak the bolts and nuts with a penetrate. I would
think a pair of good size needle nose
pliers with a 90 degree bend would be best. There is room to grab the nut,
but not much. I did it without this kind of pliers but next time I am
getting a new pair of pliers.

Good luck.

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Pajtas - 21 Nov 2006 13:23 GMT

> > Hi.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Good luck.

Thanks for your help.
I suspect its a common problem from the shape of the nuts.

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Michael Heiming - 22 Nov 2006 22:06 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Pajtas <tusko86@hotmail.com>:

>> > Hi.

>> > I just bought a 2004 Focus.
>> > The cover to air filter is difficult to remove and I dont want to force
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> > so I thought I'd ask if there it a trick to taking the cover off and
>> > changing the air filter?

>> > Thanks.

>> I had the same problem and it was a severe pain (especially in the fingers I
>> pinched with the pliers) after the dealer said it would
>> cost $200 to replace the whole box on 2001.

>> Best thing to do would be soak the bolts and nuts with a penetrate. I would
>> think a pair of good size needle nose
>> pliers with a 90 degree bend would be best. There is room to grab the nut,
>> but not much. I did it without this kind of pliers but next time I am
>> getting a new pair of pliers.

> Thanks for your help.
> I suspect its a common problem from the shape of the nuts.

I suspect it's primary a problem from people just tightening
bolts far to close?

Signature

Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
mail: echo zvpunry@urvzvat.qr | perl -pe 'y/a-z/n-za-m/'

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EOO - 23 Nov 2006 00:40 GMT

> In alt.autos.ford.focus Pajtas <tusko86@hotmail.com>:

> I suspect it's primary a problem from people just tightening
> bolts far to close?

No, it is a really crappy design. The nut has a serrated edge that is round
and is pressed into the plastic base. The engine compartment is a very
hostile environment for any kind of metal object.

I would advise anyone who checks their air filter to lube the nuts and bolts
everytime they open the box.

Reply to this Message

Pajtas - 23 Nov 2006 13:22 GMT

> > In alt.autos.ford.focus Pajtas <tusko86@hotmail.com>:
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> > Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
> > mail: echo zvpunry@urvzvat.qr | perl -pe 'y/a-z/n-za-m/'

So the bottom of the circular "nut" is serrated towards the base of the
plastic airfilter cover? Therefore if I oil the screw and apply
pressure between the nut and the bottom airfilter cover it may catch
and allow me to take out the screw?

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EOO - 23 Nov 2006 13:57 GMT

> So the bottom of the circular "nut" is serrated towards the base of the
> plastic airfilter cover?

Yes and is imbedded in the cover.

Therefore if I oil the screw and apply

> pressure between the nut and the bottom airfilter cover it may catch
> and allow me to take out the screw?

Part of the nut is exposed and you should be able to grab it with needle
nose pliers.

Reply to this Message

Michael Heiming - 23 Nov 2006 19:07 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus EOO <whereeverforever.com>:

>> In alt.autos.ford.focus Pajtas <tusko86@hotmail.com>:

>> I suspect it's primary a problem from people just tightening
>> bolts far to close?

> No, it is a really crappy design. The nut has a serrated edge that is round
> and is pressed into the plastic base. The engine compartment is a very
> hostile environment for any kind of metal object.

Zero problems here on my 1999 Focus with the air filter cover.

> I would advise anyone who checks their air filter to lube the nuts and bolts
> everytime they open the box.

Good advice, can't hurt in any case. If you are in addition a
little careful while tightening bolts one should be fine.

Signature

Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
mail: echo zvpunry@urvzvat.qr | perl -pe 'y/a-z/n-za-m/'

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George H - 06 Dec 2006 20:26 GMT

> In alt.autos.ford.focus EOO <whereeverforever.com>:
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Good advice, can't hurt in any case. If you are in addition a
> little careful while tightening bolts one should be fine.

I had trouble getting mine off first time. I removed the box from the
engine bay and used a combination of penetrating oil and mole grip
pliers to get it undone. Then applied copper grease to all the threads
and not been a problem since.

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