Auto Parts: air filter box, 2002 Honda Civic, screw out, wood screws

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mike,

I recently had my 2002 Honda civic in for service and it was due for a new air filter. They explained to me that they couldn't get the cover off of the box that houses the air filter because a few of the screws that hold it in place (several around perimeter and one in the middle) were simply spinning in place when the tech tried to loosen them. They said the only way to fix that would be to replace the whole box assembly that houses the air filter... at a cost of $130. I didn't have them do it because I wanted to try to loosen the screws myself. I now see what they mean... several of them do just spin but don't come loose. Do you have any recommendations for removing these screws so I might avoid having to replace the whole filter assembly box? Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Michael

ANSWER:      This is not that unusual.  The last person to tighten those screws overtightened them and stripped the threads in the soft plastic of the housing.  You will probably have to remove the whole housing to fix it, but it's not that hard.  Once you get the housing out you can sit down with the housing pinned between your knees to keep it from moving.  Then grab the head of the screw with a pair of pliers, or better yet a small vise-grip.  Pull out as you turn the screw and it will either pull straight out or the remaining threads will bite on the remaining plastic enabling it to come out normally.  The trick here is to pull while turning the screw, instead of pushing like you have to do with a screwdriver.  After you get the screw out you should take them to a hardware store and buy some sheetmetal or wood screws that are just a little bit bigger around in the threads, but the same length.  Use those to reattach the lid and don't, for God's sake, over-tighten them.  This was, by the way, a good time to put in the new filter.  Reattach the housing to the car and you should be good for about 30K miles.  When the time comes to change the filter again, the new screw should back right out.  If you have a shop do the next replacement, be sure to tell them about the screws so they don't mix them up with the unstripped ones.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mike,

Thanks much for your help. I took another look at the screws that are spinning, and they seem to be somewhat corroded with rust. Do I run the risk of snapping the screw halfway down the shank if I follow your method with a rusty screw? Just wanted to make sure I didn't lose half a screw inside the opening and have no way to get it out.

Thanks again.
Michael

Answer
    I really doubt if you could snap off the screw this way.  But, if you do, it's no longer holding the thing shut and you can open it up and take the screw out.  Remember, this will be much easier if you remove the air cleaner assembly from the car first.