Hi everyone!

Although this is related to the airbox thread, it seems highly unlikely that a replacement will turn up to solve the problem, which is this:



This is the problem with the airbox on my car, rusty bolts holding the air filter cover.

Can anyone offer any advice on how these can safely be removed and replaced?

I'm sorry it's been a long time to follow this through - in June she went in to get an MOT, needed the crossbar welding and some other bits, but she is now legal and back on the road - Yay!

However the air filter issue is still a problem. I think maybe to work with what is there is the only way to go.

So far I'm unaware of the filter (however old it is) causing any problem, but to be honest I don't know how I would know! Would she just start to run badly? Or not start?

Thank you for reading this I'm very grateful to have the chance to ask others for help on here. Hoping very much to have some replies!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone

Best wishes

Angie

Hi Angie
Great to hear from you again.
Those bolts are not a specialist item, so any fixing will do provided it holds the cover closed.
Can you see the other end of the bolt(s)? Depending on how much you can see, you can cut them off and drill them out, and replace with oversize bolts if necessary. But if you're like me you'd want the originality maintained, so OCD is a great way to stall any fix ....
If the air filter is clogged then yes the car will start to run badly, poor fuel consumption and emissions problems. Could even fail the MoT. Do you have the emissions printout from your MoT? That should tell you how much of a problem there is.
As mentioned in the other thread, my BG was a carb version with a different (frying-pan) air filter, so I don't have direct experience of this.

Hi Jinglebells!

Thank you for replying

When I get a chance to (not raining/ gales) I will try to see what's going on underneath and have a good look around the filter box bit and take photos!

Please may I ask - what do you mean by OCD?

She passed the MOT emissions test ; CO levels were about half of the maximum allowed.

I will be back - hopefully with some more pics/ info!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Hi again,
If your CO was good then the air filter element is just ok for now, but I appreciate the need to get this sorted. See the CO print from my 323 (BJ) below, it can be 0%.
Sorry for the abbreviations, OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is an over-the-top (for me) way of saying I like things looking original. Whereas a mechanic would just chop it about and get it working!

OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! Jinglebells is right to say perfection can stop us getting on with the job!

As he says, destroying that nut/bolt is fine, it is a generic part, easily replaceable. Looking at the photo I'd suggest an old, medium-sized screwdriver and a hammer. Use the screwdriver blade to hammer off the remaining bits of metal until what's left is small enough for the airbox lid to come off. Get it in to those cracks and bash it. Might also need a small hacksaw (and some patience) to cut away enough metal so the rusty remnants fall off.

Also, get some small 'mole grips' around the remains of the nut/bolt and twist it about - it might just dissintegrate, which is what you want. Might even work with just some small pliers, a good grip and a lot of turning. Your aim is just to remove enough rusty metal so the plastic lid will come off

If that is a washer we can see in the photo, it will either slide off when the rusty bits are gone, or can be cut with a hacksaw

I'd avoid using an angle grinder as it might heat things up too much and melt the plastics

Thanks for keeping us up to date with the progress - and well done for keeping it on the road!

Hi again!

Thank you Fon for your detailed reply you make it sound simple but I'd be terrified to try doing this myself!

As of yet I haven't had a chance to get under the bonnet to have a good look underneath the filter housing (storm antoni ) but will do, hopefully this week!

It makes me wonder why the Mazda mechanics haven't suggested something like this? Or do they need pushing a little because it's not a straightforward job?

Second thought is about the replacement filter itself, are they fairly easy to come by? I hope so!

I'll be back later on

PS. The CO was 0.11ppm

Hello!

Firstly, may I wish everyone a very happy and peaceful 2024! I'm very sorry it's taken so long for me to get back to this - six months!

I did attempt to take photos of the underside of the airbox bolts and I will put them up here hopefully! I may have to post these separately because I've forgotten how to shrink them down small enough to upload! Anyway, it looks like a standard sort of nut rusty of course!!

So far nothing has been done with the airbox as she is running very well. I do such low mileage (few hundred per annum) maybe this is helping with the longevity of the air filter(?)

I'm loathe to do anything just yet and the reason is because my 626 had her MOT and service last August and she failed on the emissions; although she was sorted (new cat) I found out that the airbox has not only a filter but also contains a complex set of sensors that control the idle speed etc, so much more to it! After going through that with the 626 I fear to do anything too soon could open up a whole can of worms...

It's amazing to think that both of these cars are now thirty years old! Seems utterly ridiculous, but on the other hand, says something about the build quality of Mazda's of that era. Plus the fact that there are even older ones out there too!

One question I'd like to ask everyone's opinion on and apologies if this should be put in another section - could older cars like these be converted to electric? I'm aware there are companies in the UK that have already converted some classic cars to electric - has anyone else even vaguely considered it for their own beloved Mazda?

Thank you for reading this have a lovely weekend!

Kind regards,

Angie

Sorry for the blurriness but it's the best I could do! Probably not very useful

Hello Angie,
Happy 2024! I've often thought of converting to electric, but it's quite complicated. The companies that do it seem to focus on speed and power, i.e. use a big Tesla engine and battery in a small old car - not my kind of thing. I'd just want something to hum around in at the same speed as the petrol 323.
I get the implication that these old Fs are going to be more and more difficult to maintain. But I don't think I'd go electric in it just yet. Rust is still the biggest issue with the F, and electricity won't solve that!
The issue you describe with sensors in the intake system is quite well-known and maintainable by mechanics these days.

I feel your pain! I soaked my airbox bolts for 48 hours in the magic WD40 and they've been fine since. Worst case scenario, buy new matching bolts and break off the old ones