Genesis II E-315 (Cabinet Doors Model) Oddities?

[John-NY]

Picked up a horrific condition Obsidian Blue Genesis II E-315 for a song.

Taking it apart I discovered two "issues". Hopefully someone has seen this before and has some advice.

1) The bottom opening of the cookbox, towards the front-center, is bowed downwards, or has a curved dip which prevents me from pulling out the drip tray. I had to remove the rails to remove the drip tray (which broke off one of the nut heads of the bolt holding in the one rail). My screenshots below show it from broadside, and from head-on.

2) The rear panel uses these strange black "anchor" screws to hold it in. From what I can tell, there's no way to get them back out. Has anyone successfully removed them? Screenshots below show the type of screw from the assembly manual, and what it looks like when inserted.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve Hoch]

I would think if you can't unscrew the center of those pushpins or whatever they're called you would have to pry that center part out to loosen it and pull it the rest of the way out. As far as that cookbox, it looks like there was a fire that partially melted it. I can't think of another way that could have happened.

 

[Dave in KC]

The cook box has definitely overheated and melted.
Most likely from a grease fire. Trim off enough of the
edge with a cut off wheel to allow you to slide the tray
in and out to make it serviceable again. Replace with
a new firebox for best results though.

Can you not simply unscrew and pop out the anchors?
Must you remove them for some reason?

 

[John-NY]

The cook box has definitely overheated and melted.
Most likely from a grease fire. Trim off enough of the
edge with a cut off wheel to allow you to slide the tray
in and out to make it serviceable again. Replace with
a new firebox for best results though.

Can you not simply unscrew and pop out the anchors?
Must you remove them for some reason?

I literally just bought new cut off wheels last week, so that could be an option. Thanks for the idea.

I was dismantling the entire grill for a part-by-part degreasing cleaning. I find it easier (and weirdly more satisfying) to do them that way. But if I can't get them out with yours and Steve's suggestion I can still wash it partially assembled.

Right now I've got some PB Blaster sitting on a separate stubborn bolt.

 

[John-NY]

PB Blaster success!
Also, it's Indigo Blue. Not Obsidian.

 

[John G (Boston)]

On those pop in anchors... Are they plastic? If so, I've seen them quite often on newer cars. On some you turn the "screwhead" like 90 degrees and it will rise out of the fastener. You can then pull out the fastener. Other types do not rise out - they just turn and feel looser. On those the fastener should release from the hole when the "screwhead" is in the loose position. If you can get behind them you may be able to push them out when the "screwhead" is in the loose position. If they end up breaking you probably can get new ones at an autobody supply shop.

-John (Boston)

 

[Bob H.]

Isn't this grill too new to be in such bad condition?

 

[RichPB (richlife)]

Isn't this grill too new to be in such bad condition?

You might think so, but it's amazing how some will buy good equipment, never bother to learn anything about it and totally screw it up right away.

I was lucky. The person who originally bought my WSM 14.5 was apparently like that. Looked like he did one cook, destroyed his content (judging by the thick layer of soot all over inside) and got rid of it to my benefit. A good spray with my garden hose and it was almost clean. Just took a few more minutes scrubbing to complete the "restore" job.

 

[John-NY]

Isn't this grill too new to be in such bad condition?

Hence how I got it for a song

Work in progress

 

[John-NY]

On those pop in anchors... Are they plastic? If so, I've seen them quite often on newer cars. On some you turn the "screwhead" like 90 degrees and it will rise out of the fastener. You can then pull out the fastener. Other types do not rise out - they just turn and feel looser. On those the fastener should release from the hole when the "screwhead" is in the loose position. If you can get behind them you may be able to push them out when the "screwhead" is in the loose position. If they end up breaking you probably can get new ones at an autobody supply shop.

-John (Boston)

Thanks! They screwed out with a screwdriver, then I pried them out!

More progress!

 

[John Richards]

Ah - too late on the push pin extraction - and note - these are an odd size - I still haven't found the correct one and that's after buying two different automotive universal trim clip kits - one 240 pcs the other 480.

 

[Joe Anshien]

Have you registered it with Weber yet? When you do there will be a free cookbox in your future;-)