changing engine air filter 2004 Sienna

[chuckb]

I hate to sound like a total spazz but...........I can't figure out how to change the engine air filter on this thing. It seems that theres 2 bolts that have to be loosened, one on the front of the cleaner housing, and one on the rear, plus several plastic clamps. The bolt in the rear is in a tough spot to work on and it super tight. I can't get it to budge. Am I doing something wrong? Do I have to loosen these two bolts just to change the air filter?

[gammaray]

Chuckb,

Your right about close quarters when working on the engine. Just about any work on the rear of the engine requires a little thought on just how to get the wrench or socket on the bolt, then just how to turn that wrench or ratchet.

The two bolts you are refering to are the only ones holding the top half to the bottom half of the housing and like you say, the rear one is difficult to loosen. The left side is held down with the use of tabs on the upper half that go into slots on the lower half. The bolts are captive, so they stay with the upper housing. A large diameter hose clamp on the large hose needs to be loosened, and there are a few small diameter hoses to be removed.

Once these are all loose, the top half will come all the way out with a little wrestling. remember to vacuum out the bugs, etc. out of the lower half.

Hope this helps!

Gamma

[mike_payne]

Originally Posted by gammaray

Chuckb,

Your right about close quarters when working on the engine. Just about any work on the rear of the engine requires a little thought on just how to get the wrench or socket on the bolt, then just how to turn that wrench or ratchet.

The two bolts you are refering to are the only ones holding the top half to the bottom half of the housing and like you say, the rear one is difficult to loosen. The left side is held down with the use of tabs on the upper half that go into slots on the lower half. The bolts are captive, so they stay with the upper housing. A large diameter hose clamp on the large hose needs to be loosened, and there are a few small diameter hoses to be removed.

Once these are all loose, the top half will come all the way out with a little wrestling. remember to vacuum out the bugs, etc. out of the lower half.

Hope this helps!

Gamma

You dont have to remove it to change the fliter. Loosen the 2 10mm bolts. The one in the back is a little differcult to get to, but just use a 3/8 drive ratchet and small extension with a 10mm socket. The bolts are retianed in the housing. Pull up on the side towards the driver side and slide the upper air box out of the 2 finger clips. You should be able to just lift it up and flip it a little to change the air filter. You shouldnt have to remove anything other than that. The stock toyota filter spcifies front.

[chuckb]

Thanks for the two replies. I finally did get it changed a few days after my post. The bolt in the rear wa just so tight that I was afraid I was doing something wrong. I sprayed it with WD 40 and waited a few days, then I was able to loosen it.