Craftsman 247.288811 air cleaner cover removal - retainers just spin

[dl324]

Hi,

Does anyone know how to remove a stuck air cleaner cover when the retainers just spin? I tried lifting with vise grips while turning counterclockwise, but nothing engages.

It will help me a lot if anyone has pictures of what I'm dealing with under the cover.


Thanks in advance,
Dennis

 

[ILENGINE]

engine model number info from valve cover would assist. Also the model number of the mower isn't showing up in the system. so may want to confirm model number in your description

 

[dl324]

Thanks for your response.

The actual model is 247.288811.

The engine part number is 31C707-3346-G2/G6. I'll get the engine model number the next time I'm by the mower.

Thanks

 

[dl324]

Engine model number is 31C707.

Thanks

 

[bertsmobile1]

PIA job but this is how it goes
Chop up the two nuts on the top so the cover can come off
Remove the blower housing & tap the 2 bolts out of the bottom ( the don't come out easy )
Get 2 new bolts and a new cover
Fill the hole in the blower housing with any hard setting epoxie you like grease the threaded section of the bolts to prevent the epoxie fouling the thread then poke the bolts through.
I have found the plastic petrol tank ribbon / tape works the best
Do 1 at a time 1 day apart .

 

[StarTech]

Actually insert a small flat tip screwdriver up from the bottom to lock the hex head in place and then you should be to unscrew the retaining caps. Where the screw are they are just a loose fit with a small tab holding them in place. This get enlarged plus the screw threads getting rusty doesn't help so the hex starts to slip. The fix is one of two things either replace the shroud or make a custom hex head screw that fits tighter.

 

[dl324]

Edited the title to correct the model number. The error was pointed out in post #2.

 

[dl324]

@bertsmobile1 @StarTech thanks for the tips. I tried inserting some 1/32" shims (copper clad board scraps) under the knobs on 2 sides. Couldn't get anything to catch, so I'm probably going to use a hole saw and cut holes in the cover around the knobs.

My first thought was to just break the cover. Then I found out a replacement was going to cost something like $50 + s/h.

I have some plastic welding and stapling tools and I think I can repair the cover (eventually). My priority is to replace the air filter so I can use the mower.

 

[StarTech]

Well maybe you need a visual aid as to where insert the skinny flat tip screwdriver.

 

[dl324]

Well maybe you need a visual aid as to where insert the skinny flat tip screwdriver.

That helps. Looks like I'm going to need to drill holes to be able to see where to put the screwdriver