Access to Coolant Expansion Tank

[portculisz4]

I need to check my coolant expansion tank and in order to do this I need to remove the large plastic cover that the the filler cap protrudes through. Simple enough I guess but I'me puzzled by how to remove the 8 plastic retainers around the edge of the plastic cover. Are they pop outs in the centre of the retainer or are they screwed in/out. They appear to take a flat nosed phillips type screw driver (see photo). I'me sure I can renew if damaged but would like to get them out correctly in the first place.

 

[bigwinn]

Screw undo- minimal pressure from above until you can get it undone with your fingers, then the rivet pops out

 

[bigwinn]

Don’t forget the two t25 or t30 bolts either side of the plastic panel too- they can get quite tough over time

 

[portculisz4]

Thanks, will try that, might have to grind an old phillips to get it fit correctly. Yes, removed two torx screws but with some difficulty and have silicon greased to ease replacement and further removal.

 

[portculisz4]

Have just removed all rivets although damaged centre screws due excessive stiffness. Have replaced centre screws with 1/2" No.8 pan head screws to facilitate easy removal in the future.