Plastic engine cover clips

Anonymous · March 21, 2006, 20:14

I have a new set of NGK Iridiums to fit but those cover clips have stumped me, they look like a special tool lifts and then twists them.

Dont want to damage the area by forcing them with a couple of screwdrivers, so any tips or good ideas would be welcome.

Cheers Chris

kanujunkie · March 21, 2006, 20:24

most have replaced them after with allen key head screws, but if i'm right and i havn't tested this, you should be able to cut the small spigot out and then remove the screw, although the heat may have already welded the plastic in.

Anonymous · March 21, 2006, 20:50

Do you mean the little black ones at the front of the plastic engine cover? If so, just get a small screwdriver under them and pop them straight out. They may break, but that's the way to do it. Cheap enough to replace anyway, and you won't do any harm by driving around without them on.

kanujunkie · March 21, 2006, 21:07

Quote from: "Ekona"and you won't do any harm by driving around without them on.

Marks have been off for as long as i can remember and its fine

spit · March 21, 2006, 21:35

I seem to have had no trouble getting them out with pliers in each recess on the slightly domed head, a 90 degree twist to the left, then they pull out without breaking

kanujunkie · March 21, 2006, 21:37

i think the initial idea was not to break them though if possible

Anonymous · March 21, 2006, 22:43

Many thanks, i'll have another crack at it at the weekend.

normanh · March 29, 2006, 16:33

Just seen the post, and speaking from experience the black clips at the front are a 6mm threaded screw and should be replaced as this keeps the cover tight to the head keeping water out of the plugs. I have recently had a problem with water ingress to one plug that Mr T put down to a faulty coil pack which will be changed on warranty. New plugs that are dry seem to have cured my problem. for the life of me I fail to see how water has gone into the plug hole as the coil pack is bolted in with a foam seal and what I think is an o ring seal half way down to the plug. clearly this is water causing my problem as the top of the head under the coil packs are water stained! In my opinion you need to replace the screws either with plastic or steel, word of caution if using steel more so coat the screw in copperslip to prevent it corroding into the hole. One of my holes was badly pitted so much so I had to run a tap to clean up the thread. little tip number plate plastic screws are 6mm either in white or yellow.

normanh 2001 roadster chilli red