Stuck Air Filter Screws
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Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Plymouth, MA
Stuck Air Filter Screws
I'm unable to remove the air cleaner filter element on my 2014 Electra Glide Police FLHTP (103 CI) because 2 of 3 Torx head screws are stuck. I already broke the tip off of a T25 Torx socket trying to unscrew the threaded fasteners. Heading to Sears for a free replacement.
Only one screw can be removed so far and its threads are covered with white oxidation. This bike has ~34,000 miles and I don't think its air filter element has ever been removed!
Also, there is some oil getting on the rear cylinder's valve cover (right side) and its exhaust header pipe. I believe the oil is coming from the crankcase breather tube connection into the air cleaner housing. Once I'm able to remove the air filter element then I can remove the air cleaner housing to see why the oil is escaping.
Is there a way that I can get some penetrating oil on the screw threads? Any help getting this air filter apart is appreciated.
Only one screw can be removed so far and its threads are covered with white oxidation. This bike has ~34,000 miles and I don't think its air filter element has ever been removed!
Also, there is some oil getting on the rear cylinder's valve cover (right side) and its exhaust header pipe. I believe the oil is coming from the crankcase breather tube connection into the air cleaner housing. Once I'm able to remove the air filter element then I can remove the air cleaner housing to see why the oil is escaping.
Is there a way that I can get some penetrating oil on the screw threads? Any help getting this air filter apart is appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,552
Likes: 3,954
From: Vermont
They're T27 aren't they? And buy a hand impact when at Sears, worth it's weight in gold during these stuck bolts situations
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impac...p-00947641000P
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impac...p-00947641000P
Last edited by dawg; Nov 22, 2017 at 12:39 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Plymouth, MA
Thanks a lot. I got a free replacement set of Sears Craftsman Torx sockets and set them aside because they're not hardened. While there, I picked up a new set of hardened Torx bits made by Lisle. The latter set included a T27 and, indeed, it fits tighter than the T25 that I previously used.
I got 2 of 3 screws loosened. The bracket interferes with the Torx socket during bottom screw removal but fortunately I have a T27 Torx key on a Cruz folding multi-tool which loosened the 3rd screw. The air filter element now removed,
I need to figure out how to get the plastic air cleaner housing off. The outside bottom of the plastic air cleaner housing has oil dripping off of it.
I got 2 of 3 screws loosened. The bracket interferes with the Torx socket during bottom screw removal but fortunately I have a T27 Torx key on a Cruz folding multi-tool which loosened the 3rd screw. The air filter element now removed,
I need to figure out how to get the plastic air cleaner housing off. The outside bottom of the plastic air cleaner housing has oil dripping off of it.
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Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Plymouth, MA
Thanks for that recommendation. I washed off the air cleaner element then rinsed it out by repeatedly dipping it in warm water; frequently replacing the water.
I'm not entirely happy with the service manual's washing recommendation for air filter element servicing because particulates are difficult to rinse out of the filter's pleated internal surfaces. I wiped out the internal sheet metal surfaces as much as possible with a clean paper towel.
As for eliminating the cause of oil leaking onto the rear cylinder exhaust header, I haven't figured that out. The air cleaner backing plate seals against the carburetor with a gasket - part number 29400046GASKET, induction module to backplate
When the air cleaner element was initially removed, I observed a small quantity of oil on the bottom of its cylinder-shaped outlet pipe. Maybe the induction-module-to-backplate gasket needs to be replaced?
I'm not entirely happy with the service manual's washing recommendation for air filter element servicing because particulates are difficult to rinse out of the filter's pleated internal surfaces. I wiped out the internal sheet metal surfaces as much as possible with a clean paper towel.
As for eliminating the cause of oil leaking onto the rear cylinder exhaust header, I haven't figured that out. The air cleaner backing plate seals against the carburetor with a gasket - part number 29400046GASKET, induction module to backplate
When the air cleaner element was initially removed, I observed a small quantity of oil on the bottom of its cylinder-shaped outlet pipe. Maybe the induction-module-to-backplate gasket needs to be replaced?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Vermont
You're going to get oil in your air cleaner, it's made that way so it's sucked back into the induction module. Many reroute the head breathers to avoid that so that the oil goes to a catch can, filter, or simply to the ground. Do a search on rerouting breathers and you'll see what I'm talking about.
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
If you are thinking on oiling your filter I would double check to make sure its the type that can be oiled. Many HD stock air filters can be washed but must air dry prior to re-installing with no oil. Get three new screws, apply some BLUE loc-tite and torque screws to 20-40 INCH lbs. Just snug them down.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2016
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I made the mistake of over-tightening those three screws the first time I cleaned my filter. I was eventually able to get 2 of the 3 loosened, but the last one I had to drill the head off. Bought 3 new screws from the dealer (cheapest bill I've ever had at a HD dealer) and used a torque wrench to install them.