The screws that hold the AC cover on—I can’t get one out. When I try to remove it, the female threads, which are under the AC cover, spin along with the screw. Tried penetrating oil, pulling up on the AC cover, and putting a piece of wire under the screw head and pulling up. Before I grind off the screw head to the the AC cover off to oil fan and general cleaning, does anyone have any better ideas to get that one screw out?

You're responding to a 3 year old thread and chast hasn't been on here since. But Doug explained how to do it in the 2 previous responses.

PS—screws are stainless and the female thread is iron and are built in to the AC itself.

Can you insert a screwdriver or small prybar between the two pieces and gently pry them apart as you are turning the screw?

maybe a pair of vise grips on the screw head ,pull an turn. small hacksaw and cut the thing off. p.s a idea for the future, drill the steel a bit bigger install plastic inserts for the new stainless screws.

Rusty—tried that. The screw turns, but it also turns the female threads which should be stationary in the AC body. No matter how much upward pressure I apply, both the screw and the threads both turn together.

Can’t remove AC cover for maintenance | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

DreZ
Explorer
May 19, 2025
I am having the exact same issue currently. Did you manage to get this resolved? What did you do?
- way2roll
  Navigator III
  May 19, 2025
  You're responding to a 3 year old thread and chast hasn't been on here since. But Doug explained how to do it in the 2 previous responses.
dougrainer
Nomad
Nov 28, 2022
https://www.airxcel.com/rv/coleman-mach/service-support/document-library?docId=3914

Part number 11 is the cover. Part 28 is the front cover. Doug
dougrainer
Nomad
Nov 28, 2022
Cut out the top of the shroud just enough to lift cover around the washer/screw. RVP makes a replacement metal fan cover that has BOTH rear nut inserts. But you can make and install your own bolt and screw kit. Once you remove you will see how to do it. You use an oversize metal plate or washer to cover the hole you cut in the shroud. If up front where the evap cover is, same procedure but it is easier to make a new nut insert kit. Doug
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Nov 28, 2022
Make of A/C and where are these screws
Top of Cover (Coleman does it that way)
Or around the bottom edge.

Suggestion is to drill
Hold drill at an angle (Take extra bits) eventually you will drill the head off and then you can drill out or otherwise remove both the screw an nut.

You can then either anchor the nuts using a product like locktite RED Or replace with Pop Nuts (Pop Rivit company) depending on what and where.

NOTE Coleman ACs SUCK so you may be able to clean 'em without removing cover.

Other makes blow so cover has to come off.
MountainAir05
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2022
just cut the screw head off.
BB_TX
Nomad
Nov 28, 2022
With all the screws out but the one can you raise the cover enough to reach inside and hold the inside “nut” with pliers or vice grips? I’m guessing it is some kind of press nut.
chast
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2022
Darned autocorrect!! Last comment was to Krusty NOT RUSTY!
chast
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2022
Rusty—tried that. The screw turns, but it also turns the female threads which should be stationary in the AC body. No matter how much upward pressure I apply, both the screw and the threads both turn together.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2022
maybe a pair of vise grips on the screw head ,pull an turn. small hacksaw and cut the thing off. p.s a idea for the future, drill the steel a bit bigger install plastic inserts for the new stainless screws.
Krusty
Nomad II
Nov 28, 2022
Can you insert a screwdriver or small prybar between the two pieces and gently pry them apart as you are turning the screw?