Seized screw

[Bren]

Due to the vectra still going into limp mode I want to remove boost sensor to clean it - unfortunately the machine screw ( pozidrive) is starting to round off. It passes through the sensor presumably into a rivet nut in the pipework.

 

Heat is not an option due to all the plastic - any tips for getting it out?

[Bobthebeard]

A flat screwdriver knocked in across the slot with slight force?

[Bren]

Tried it.

[Bobthebeard]

Ahhh.. Ok.

[steveo3002]

dremel a slit to try a flat head screwdriver

 

or if you drilled the head off would the parts come apart so you can use pliers /mole grips on the remainder 

[John F]

Do you have enough access to get a chisel onto the side of the screw?

[beko1987]

Mole grips on the head?

 

Hammer a torx bit into it?

[steveo3002]

picture would help

[Snipes]

Pictures would help but in the mean time I'd suggest an impact driver.

[overrun]

Hammer an Astra over the Vectra?

[J4mes]

If you can, access permitting grind some flat edges on it and throw a spanner on it-leverage innit.

[tommytwo]

An Impact Driver gets my vote, less chance of rounding the screw head right off. If you dont have one, try to borrow one. Another thought is to try pouring boiling water over it a few times before trying again. Or warming it with a heat gun.

[Dead_E23]

Sure it's a pozi?   When I googled 'vectra boost sensor' to have a look at what it was like, the ones that came up seem to be held in by Torx T30 bolts.  I have experience of fruitlessly trying to undo a torx using a screwdriver and bad language, so it can happen.

 

Alternatively, a drill bit a whisker bigger than the threaded bit of the screw should undo it admirably, but you might want to think about how you'll reattach the sensor before you knacker its fastener.

[RustyNuts]

picture would help

 

This

[2MB]

A centre punch can be used towards the outer edge of the screw head to loosen it. Less likely to mash everything up than a chisel

[steveo3002]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Screw-PLIERS-see-VIDEO-damaged-stripped-remover-extractor-removal-engineer-pz-55-/252138231901?hash=item3ab49c185d:g:UU4AAOSwpdpVerns

[chodweaver]

^ They look nice but I don't see them having much more to offer than a small pair of Vise-Grips/Molewrenches. And those lock on rather than relying on your ability to keep these tight enough on the offending screw with pressure from just one hand

 

At 1min 43 seconds, I decided I didn't need to see any more infomercial footage of a pair of overpriced pliers undoing some completely not tight and slightly mangled screw and bolt heads.

 

Am I missing something?

 

ETA Sorry for the thread hijack. If the screw is metal and the threaded hole is metal, have you got some PlusGas on it yet? Is the head countersunk? Can you get some evil pliers on it? My favourite for small screw and bolt heads where they've rounded off either internally or externally and the head is exposed is to get my biggest Snap On wire cutters on it, with some serious pressure, so that the cutter blades actually make grooves down the outside of the head. The width of the handles on the cutters gives more leverage than the screwdriver handle and this often shifts it where nothing else will.

 

Looks utterly daft. Worked like a charm more times than I can remember

 

[Hendry]

I would echo above sentiments about it being a torx head, everything on a Vauxhall seems to be held together by an assortment of T20/30 headed stuff. 

[drum]

Those battery gun impact drivers are very good, but if you don't have access to one, have you got an old fashioned impact screw driver? The type you belt with a hammer?

I've loosened some very tight screws that wanted to round off with mine. There's a knack to using them but a very handy tool to have in the tool box.

[michael1703]

1mm disc in a grinder, grind a slot in it for a flat blade screwdriver

[Snipes]

^ They look nice but I don't see them having much more to offer than a small pair of Vise-Grips/Molewrenches. And those lock on rather than relying on your ability to keep these tight enough on the offending screw with pressure from just one hand

 

At 1min 43 seconds, I decided I didn't need to see any more infomercial footage of a pair of overpriced pliers undoing some completely not tight and slightly mangled screw and bolt heads.

 

Am I missing something?

 

ETA Sorry for the thread hijack. If the screw is metal and the threaded hole is metal, have you got some PlusGas on it yet? Is the head countersunk? Can you get some evil pliers on it? My favourite for small screw and bolt heads where they've rounded off either internally or externally and the head is exposed is to get my biggest Snap On wire cutters on it, with some serious pressure, so that the cutter blades actually make grooves down the outside of the head. The width of the handles on the cutters gives more leverage than the screwdriver handle and this often shifts it where nothing else will.

 

Looks utterly daft. Worked like a charm more times than I can remember

 

Wire cutters as screw extractors.png

Tut tut twisting your cutters Luke that. That's how they break!

[twosmoke300]

Tool abuse

[matty879]

have you tried to tighten slightly then slacken off,i often use this method to effectively bust the crust,you need a good fitting tool though,i know it sounds like it shouldnt work but it does.

[Bren]

 

These got it undone.

[RustyNuts]

have you got an old fashioned impact screw driver? The type you belt with a hammer?

 

This has never failed for me.. worth its weight in gold as mine has undone every stubborn ****er i've ever had trouble with.

 

A centre punch can be used towards the outer edge of the screw head to loosen it. Less likely to mash everything up than a chisel

Never once got that to work...