Air filter change tip - LotusTalk

Thello · 09-28-2009, 05:52 PM

Alright, maybe someone else has already written this, but after spending an hour on the filter change I figured out something that helped alot.

It is the angle of the airbox on the fireall that kills the attempt to keep the box hinges together. This is why the two person approach helps. I do not have a wife that will get her hands dirty like some of you. I found that if you jam a tee-ball or wiffle ball in between the airbox lid and the firewall until the back (right) hinges hook up first and then work on getting the clamps together it makes life much easier.

Just to prove it helped and wasn't luck, I actually removed the filter, tried without the wiffle ball and it was impossible. Pushed the ball back in to push the right side of the lid back to hook the the hinges, and the airbox was closed in two minutes.

tesprit · 09-28-2009, 05:59 PM

Thanks for posting this. Just about everyone doing an air filter change knows how difficult it can be to clamp the box shut again. I think I know what you did here, but did you take any pics you could post of the ball wedged between the firewall and cover?

FIL · 09-28-2009, 06:46 PM

maybe I've been lucky, but I haven't had any problems getting it back together.

choi0706 · 09-28-2009, 07:01 PM

i've done it ONCE without removing the wheel.. ever since then I've never been able to do it again..

same with the belts... ive done it once all from the top and cant do it again..

shinoo · 09-28-2009, 07:05 PM

Interesting tip, thx for posting. I will try that. Closing the airbox is a pain.

Thello · 09-28-2009, 07:17 PM

pic attached. The change was done with the wheel well removed. This is after I did the change, but you get the idea. Seems simple, but it held the hinges solid so you can close the clamps. I look forward to see if this help anyone else.

Thello · 09-28-2009, 07:18 PM

Holy big pic! I need to edit a little better in the future.

Southernguy · 09-28-2009, 07:20 PM

HOLY PICTURE BATMAN!

resize

09-28-2009, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Thello Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 15	Air filter change tip Alright, maybe someone else has already written this, but after spending an hour on the filter change I figured out something that helped alot. It is the angle of the airbox on the fireall that kills the attempt to keep the box hinges together. This is why the two person approach helps. I do not have a wife that will get her hands dirty like some of you. I found that if you jam a tee-ball or wiffle ball in between the airbox lid and the firewall until the back (right) hinges hook up first and then work on getting the clamps together it makes life much easier. Just to prove it helped and wasn't luck, I actually removed the filter, tried without the wiffle ball and it was impossible. Pushed the ball back in to push the right side of the lid back to hook the the hinges, and the airbox was closed in two minutes.

09-28-2009, 06:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
FIL Serial Thrilla Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 236	maybe I've been lucky, but I haven't had any problems getting it back together. __________________ 05' Elise - BWR supercharger, Quaife LSD, Nitron Race Triple Adjustable, LETSLA, Larini Decat, Larini Exhuast, ACT HDSS, Fidanza flywheel, V2 Fuel Tank, V2 Steering Arms, BWR sway bar, desnorkled, ForcedFed CF splitter, Manly's engine mounts, S111 harness bar, Schroth harness w/ S111 seat grommets, Oil Drain Valve, Painted Black Diffuser, Braille battery, Custom Battery Switch 05' Corvette - Z51 Convertible - 630hp 6.6L [DON'T YOU JUDGE ME!!!] (SOLD!)

09-28-2009, 07:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
choi0706 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston/Austin Posts: 4,228	i've done it ONCE without removing the wheel.. ever since then I've never been able to do it again.. same with the belts... ive done it once all from the top and cant do it again.. __________________ Jay-05' ST, HT, Touring Red Rally Ready

09-28-2009, 07:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
shinoo Project Nirvana Elise Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,617	Interesting tip, thx for posting. I will try that. Closing the airbox is a pain. __________________ shinoo sector 111 - tasty bits for your elise & exige

09-28-2009, 07:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Thello Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 15	pic attached. The change was done with the wheel well removed. This is after I did the change, but you get the idea. Seems simple, but it held the hinges solid so you can close the clamps. I look forward to see if this help anyone else. Attached Images

09-28-2009, 05:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
tesprit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 1,925	Thanks for posting this. Just about everyone doing an air filter change knows how difficult it can be to clamp the box shut again. I think I know what you did here, but did you take any pics you could post of the ball wedged between the firewall and cover?

09-28-2009, 07:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Thello Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 15	Holy big pic! I need to edit a little better in the future.

09-28-2009, 07:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Southernguy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 112	HOLY PICTURE BATMAN! resize

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