How do I change the air filter in my '04 Venture

Help!!! I just changed the air filters in my '96 regal, '99 Grand Prix and thought I'd get the '04 Venture done. WHO DESIGNED THIS THING!!!! Any advice out there on how to get an air filter removed and replaced through a 1 inch opening????

Thanks in advance for any help out there from those that have tackled this before.

Bob

Help!!! I just changed the air filters in my '96 regal, '99 Grand Prix and thought I'd get the '04 Venture done. WHO DESIGNED THIS THING!!!! Any advice out there on how to get an air filter removed and replaced through a 1 inch opening????

Thanks in advance for any help out there from those that have tackled this before.

Bob
Hi Bob,

Changing that thing is MUCH EASIER if you take the air intake hose loose from the other end (throttle body I believe).

I seem to remember that you also have to remove one other hose and one connector to a sensor up in that area. Once you have that end of the hose loose, the air filter housing has a couple of clamps on top. Undo those and the whole cover will come off.

Just reverse the removal to put everything back on. Still not real easy, but with some twisting & turning of the hose it will go back together.

Take Care,

Thanks Greg! That was the next thing I was going to try. In a google search, I saw one guy even removed the coolant overflow tank and moved the frame stabalizer bar. Rediculous that it's this much work. Oh well.

Bought my '04 Venture new in July '04 and have 15K on it. It's the family trip vehicle. The other cars get the work miles put on them. I've really tried to keep this thing looking new. Curious what your "enhancements" are. So far, have been very happy with the mileage and overall operation.

Thanks again!

Bob

Here's a link to a thread from awhile back that might be some help:http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=336997

Well, the filter is replaced...........almost.

When replacing the filter, I started to remove the intake hose but backed off of doing that. I ended up unpluging the air intake sensor and uncoupling the antifreeze overflow hose. Doing this gave me additional "flexing" room. I was able to squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze the old filter out. And believe it or not, to squeeeeeeeeeeeeeze the new filter in without overly bending any of the paper filter fins. They straightened right up from what little bending there was. However! (you knew that was coming).

The engine side or the filter housing with the clips was pushed back and pulled up to get the filter out and in. I've got it pushed back down and in position that the clips are latched once again on top. But I can see a gap (1/4") working down the side and at the bottom with the fliter edge and filter slightly exposed. I'm too hot and have too many cuts on the fingers to continue tonight. Once I undo the 2 top clips, any tricks on getting the bottom hooked back in?

I appreciate the help I've received.

Bob

Thanks Greg! ... Curious what your "enhancements" are. So far, have been very happy with the mileage and overall operation. Thanks again! Bob
Just click the link to my website in my profile.
The enhancements are mainly "toys" like upgraded overhead console (with trip computer & extra switch), installeing outside temp sensor, installing power rear quarter windows, and my latest: Upgraded BCM (to get the lock/unlock confirmation - flash lights & beep horn).

Take Care,

I remembered back to the first time I replaced my filter and had a similar problem. I think all I had to do to get the gap to disappear was to release the clips, lift up on the upper part of the housing and "work it' back and forth and side to side to get it to seat properly on the base. I've noticed that any time I re-install an air filter on my vehicles and there is a gap left, the 2 housings are coming together properly.I'm trying to remember if I had 2 tabs in the back of my filter housing. The base had the openings and the top part had the tabs. The tabs were supposed to fit into the slots in order for the clips to be secured properly. At this time it is too dark for me to check, I'll try to look tomorrow and see, and post back if you haven't found the solution yet.