Engine Air Filter 2004 Pilot

[Gliderpilot]

How do I change the engine air filter of a 2004 Pilot? I have have loosened the 4 screws that hold down the filter enclosure but it does not want to open. Do I have to disconnect the air hose coming from the enclosure? I prefer not to use brute force to get the job done.

Thanks much!!

[onu2002]

I think there are some clips that you need to remove.

[humanoid]

Sometimes the cover is stuck to the box because of the heat of the engine compartment. Give the lid a good yank and it should break free.

[fly4doe]

I am having the same problem; can't get the filter box opened. However, I only count 3 x 8mm screws that hold the box closed. The 4th screw you may be counting (or else I am completely missing one although I’ve searched hard after reading your post yesterday), in my case is the one closest to the driver and towards the center of the car, is brass colored, (instead of black) and is larger than 8mm. Have not measured it but it appears to be larger than 10, perhaps 13mm, which is a favorite bolt head size for Honda. I believe that bold holds the bottom of the box in place, securing it to the frame or whatever is underneath.

I agree with you that brute force is not desired. My bet, though, is that it is tough enough, that when I had the car into Jiffy Lube for its last oil change, they didn't even check the air filter. If they had, they would have pointed out the fact that it has never been changed in the 70,000 miles the car has on it.

You can't get the box open if the whole thing is loose in its compartment. I didn't see any clips (although Honda is famous for hiding a couple of those along the edges of its breather boxes in addition to screws). Can't wait to try again this afternoon. Mine is sticking near the brass bolt I mentioned. Will try running a screwdriver along the edge where the top and bottom meet in hopes that, if they are 'welded' by engine heat that that will tickle it open.

Thoughts anybody?

[humanoid]

There are definitely 4 screws holding the lid on, one on each corner IIRC. There may or may not be some clips, I don't have the Pilot at home now, wife took the rugrat out for lunch. I'll check it out once she gets back.

[ctobio]

There are 4 screws that hold the airbox closed. the larger screw you speak of holds the bottom of the airbox down to the engine compartment. There is a phillips screw about half an inch from this one on the perimeter of the airbox. If it's missing entirely, there should be a hole in its place.

If you remove the 4 screws that seal the airbox and it's still hard to break the seal, you can try to remove the spring clamp that holds the intake tube. Basically, take a flat screwdriver and pry the spring clamp off. Once the rube is freed, you should be able to twist the airbox lid off.

This really isn't as hard as it seems.

[fly4doe]

I stand corrected. On further inspection I find 4 x 8mm bolts holding down the cover. After loosening them the cover came right off. Was expecting a 20 minute job but it only took 1 minute.

If it helps, those 8mm screws don't come all the way out as you probably know, but it may be difficult to tell if they are free of the lower box they drive into. Make sure you turn them far enough that you can feel them clicking as the end of the male thread hops over the slot in the receptor that it lines up with.

[ctobio]

Yes, they're captive screws, which is a good thing. You don't want to drop one down the engine compartment.

[Gliderpilot]

My problem is that I was loosening (3) 8mm screws and the (1) 10mm screw that mounts the base of the air-filter enclosure. The 10mm screw should not be loosened. The 4th 8mm screw is hidden behind a cable harness in back of the enclosure. Once I figured this out it was an easy job! Thanks everyone for your inputs!

[normkol]

Also, be careful tightening those screws, they snap easily.

I changed the filter on my 2006 Accord last week and snapped two of these screws, and I don't have a heavy touch.

I'll be real careful when I change the filter on my 2005 Pilot, soon. I've done both cars before and never had that problem.