Guys I have the fix for how to make changing the air filter very easy. Break or cut the bellows one joint from where it bends toward the air filter box. I did this by mistake trying to change my filter only to realize that this is how it should have been made to begin with. It will make future filter changes a breeze. Once the bellows end piece is attached to the air filter box, the joint (broken section) is easly sealed with a strip of inner tube and two radiator hose champs. I can't believe Damlier/Benz didn't design it this way from the start. Now I will not fret the idea of future filter changes. I have to admit, this is the first time I have broken something on a vehicle and was happy about it.
Can you post a photo of your final assembly? I thought about doing something like this as well.
I would be pleased to do so if I only knew how. I have taken a couple of shots that do a good job of showing the finished item and will send them to you if you e-mail me at danhall1776@earthlink.net. Meanwhile, I will try and figure out this pic posting thing.
Thanks,
Dan Hall
OK! I just finished changing my engine air filter. Put in a lifetime K&N filter. This has got to be one of the hardest filter airbboxes I've ever seen. I'm going to add some additional details to what was said above. First, there are THREE METAL CLAMPS in the front. At first you think there are only two, but the third is hidden under the air hose.
After you release the three clamps, you lift up at the front of the top of the air box and pull forward to disengage the rear clips. Now shove it backwards as far as it will go. Loosen the screw clamp around the intake hose and pull to loosen the hose from the top of the air box. This part isn't that hard, but the next part is as killer. You have to get the top of the air box positioned just right to clear the hose from the top so you can pull the top completely out of the engine compartment.
Now you can take out the old filter and put in the new one.
You have to get the angle of the top of the air box just right to get it back in to the engine comparment and get the air hose fitted back onto it.
I found that putting the top of the air cover back on is much harder than removing it. You have to line up the top just right so you can shove it back into the rear clips, otherwise the rear part of the top will look like its on the air box, but its really not fitted tightly into the rear clips. It took me about 15 minutes or so to get the maneuver just right so it clipped back into place and was clipped in back -- not just on in front. Once the rear clips into place, you can easily pop the front clips back up onto the air box cover.
Thank goodness I put a K&N filter in. By the time this filter needs to be cleaned, I'll probably have completely forgotten how to do this again!
Last edited by Figaro14; 07-21-2009 at 03:15 PM.
Reason: spelling errof
Both the Evilution and fq101 sites, where we got the info originally, don't show removing the resonance reservoir. Takes a few more steps to do it that way but a lot easier in the long run IMHO.
Just replaced mine ... pulled the intake resonance reservoir as per the smartusa.com DIY instructions.
Very straightforward, with the exception of pulling the two torx head bolts that fasten the intake. Those did come out, but were more involved than I care for. I used zipties to re-fasten it, instead of the bolts.
As a bonus, I discovered a "spare" body panel fastener in the airbox (under the filter). Guess it dropped in through the intake scoop.
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tmater
1976 Rover Mini
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (SOLD)
2009 smart Passion (Gone)
2011 smart Passion
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