How to change 2003 GM 3.8 air filter?

[Benzadmiral]

Folks,

Two years ago I changed the air filter on my '03 Buick Park Avenue with the non-supercharged 3.8 V-6 in it. It was an epic struggle. Only later did I see the owner's manual had instructions to remove the accordion hose between the air filter box and the throttle body, so you have room to remove and replace the filter. (RTFM, I know, I know . . .)

Well, it's that time again, 20K miles later. But the manual makes it look easier than it is. How can I get the tight rubbery collar of the accordion hose off of the throttle body? I'm worried that if I use a long screwdriver, even prying gently, I'll either tear the rubber or damage the lip of the throttle body. And once I have it off, what's the best way to get it back on?

 

[nfs480]

I pull from the bottom of the hose outward which usually makes it pop off pretty easily. There's definitely a trick to it, when I worked at Valvoline these could be some of the more frustrating filters.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Thanks, nfs480,

Two years ago I made the mistake of tackling it on a hot August morning. I undid the two screws, but then had to force the lid of the box aside to worm the old filter out. After I stuffed the new filter in, I couldn't get the box to close right; I had to use locking pliers to clamp the lid to the box while I screwed in the retainers. By the time I was done, I was dizzy from the effort and the heat -- and I'm in good shape.

I'll try working from the bottom of the hose, then.

 

[Smoky14]

Better done when it's warm as the colder it gets the stiffer the hose.

 

[Drew99GT]

I unscrew the clamp where the hose connects to the airbox lid. Much easier. Don't be afraid to manhandle it; I have to everytime to get it out on my Dad's Olds 88 with the same engine.

 

[sciphi]

Don't be gentle with that accordion hose. Otherwise there's no way it's coming off. There's a little ridge on the throttle body that it snaps over. You're fighting that ridge.

Lots of good advice here for how to deal with it.

 

[Merkava_4]

1. Disconnect air inlet temperature sensor
2. Loosen air hose clamp with 1/4" nutdriver
3. Disconnect air hose from air box
4. Disconnect other end of air hose from throttle body
5. Remove air hose and set aside
6. Unlatch the two clamps at the air box
7. Pull front section of air box straight up.
8. Remove air filter

Tip: Apply thin film of silicone grease to both ends of the air hose to ease future disconnects.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I unscrew the clamp where the hose connects to the airbox lid. Much easier. Don't be afraid to manhandle it; I have to everytime to get it out on my Dad's Olds 88 with the same engine.

That did it, Drew99GT. It was still a bit of a wrestle, but I tackled it with the engine warm, as suggested here. At first I didn't think I'd be able to get it back on, and then the filter slid into place, the lid's lower edge tabs went were they were supposed to go, the screws on the box tightened easily, and the hose hooked back up without trouble.

Done for another two years! Thanks, all.

 

[HTSS_TR]

This is a real bad design/engineer air box. If OP needs to ask how to change it on internet (I assume he already read his manual), how can a Joe six-pack do it on his own ?

 

[Drew99GT]

Everytime my Dad brought his to a local garage, they could never get the bottom tabs into the slots and the engine would be sucking in unfiltered air.