Access to 3200 Air Filters

williamsmix

Member
Messages
545
Just wondering how to remove the covers on the air filter housings. The workshop manual says that the 4 screws on the front are to be removed but the ones adjacent to the inner wing look impossible to get at. What's best practice? If I remove the 2 bolts on the back of air filter housing does that allow enough movement forward to get at all 4 screws on the front? What do you guys do?
102086102087
 

williamsmix

Member
Messages
545
Ah, thanks … I didn’t think of that as I don’t have one of those in my tool box. Looks like it’s about time I bought one!
 

SteveM

Member
Messages
540
I swapped my screws over to hex headed screws and then able to use long allen key to slide in the gap between lid and wing. When re fitting I have pushed screw through strip of paper to position and then rip it out once screw started to thread.
 

williamsmix

Member
Messages
545
I swapped my screws over to hex headed screws and then able to use long allen key to slide in the gap between lid and wing. When re fitting I have pushed screw through strip of paper to position and then rip it out once screw started to thread.
That’s a good idea. I’ve just taken the cover off the right one and see that I only have 2 screws that are holding it in place because the cover is damaged around the screw holes. I suppose I’ll have to see if I can either repair or replace it because I’m not convinced it’s been sealing both ends of the filter particularly well …
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
get in there with penetrant / release agent.
My 6 year old 3200 with full main dealer service history had seized in screws. Including day after service I paid for. Clearly the air filters were ancient as I discovered once I mangled the screws out.
 

williamsmix

Member
Messages
545
Just had these apart this morning and found that they’ve been subject to quite a few cracks around the screw holes and captive nuts over the years. I suppose the heat off the engine makes them brittle. I found quite a lot of dirt and dust around the inside of the covers and the outlet tubes weren’t very clean on the inside. The filters looked good apart from the area over the inlet so I’ve cleaned everything up and rotated the filters 180 and turned them upside down as they appear to have some life in them. I repaired the filter housings with some of those captive nuts on metal clips and used big washers under the front cover screws … the magnetic screwdriver worked a treat!