Is the air filter really that hard to change?

[twinmill28]

First, my air filter was beyond disgusting---I've driven the deuce just over 52K miles and wheeled a fair bit. Bad mistake not looking at this much sooner. I feel really bad for what I've done to the engine.
But in trying to put the lid back on, I just couldn't see a way to do it without moving the windshield squirter bottle. This entailed removing the bracket that's just over the top of the squirter bottle to get to the bottle screws and also pop that corner of the air cleaner lid back on. This also allowed me to identify that the windshield guys broke the plastic cowl pins, just the same as they did with my 3.
So what I'm asking, is the air cleaner really that much of a pain in the ass to put back together or did I just not force it enough? Seemed faster to take it apart vs. continuing to try cramming it on.

[HummerJim]

Yes, it's a pain to put back on - you are not alone. In a post from years ago it was recommended putting petroleum jelly on the black part that rubs on the brace although, like you I didn't want to break something by giving the top a hefty push. Undoing the three screws that hold the air cleaner base to the body makes it a much easier job, although it takes longer.

[LoJac963]

^everything this guy has to say.

I'm the type of OCD person who cleans the air filter at every oil change (like you should) but also want to look at my air filter anytime I have the hood open just to make sure its good.

I got so fed up with the POS stock lid I yanked the stock crap out and put in a Volant air box/filter. I'm still running the stock tube so it took some garage engineering but it looks great. The lid I can remove with 4 screws and take a peek while at the same time it draws air from the stock fender location.

The Volant filters are much thicker than K&N which I liked but I also run the Volant pre-filter just in case.

[glennf1]

Just take a long screwdriver to bend the plastic into place and it'll go right back on.

[Cesardajr]

Originally Posted by glennf1

Just take a long screwdriver to bend the plastic into place and it'll go right back on.

X2

[wasp1971]

I think if you stick out your tongue while doing it it goes right in:P

[slippy]

Originally Posted by LoJac963

^everything this guy has to say.

I'm the type of OCD person who cleans the air filter at every oil change (like you should) but also want to look at my air filter anytime I have the hood open just to make sure its good.

I got so fed up with the POS stock lid I yanked the stock crap out and put in a Volant air box/filter. I'm still running the stock tube so it took some garage engineering but it looks great. The lid I can remove with 4 screws and take a peek while at the same time it draws air from the stock fender location.

The Volant filters are much thicker than K&N which I liked but I also run the Volant pre-filter just in case.

any pics or more info on that garage engineering?

[LoJac963]

Let me snap a few pics and I'll post them here for you to see.

[LoJac963]

Here is the Volant box installed:



I added foam insulation to the fender to make sure the Volant box was sealed to the fender so it wouldn't suck in any hot air.

These are the couplers and my zip tie job. I had to use a HUGE 4.5" silicone reducer because the opening on the Volant box is big and the hard plastic "reducer" they include wouldn't work with my stock piping. Stainless T-clamps to hold everything together then I had to use zip ties to compress the accordion flex joint on the stock tube to shorten it. Eventually I will buy a AirDoc tube and do some trimming to that will work but its hard to justify $300 with shipping for an aluminum tube.



Let me know if you have any questions.

Edit: FYI I did contact Volant who sent me a new "reducer" however the reducers they include and the second one they sent me are hard plastic with cut outs-it flat out doesn't work. No possible way to get a good seal through the system so thats why I went the route I did.