OK, so I understand that changing the air filter is possibly the easiest thing to do when it comes to cars, but on my girlfriends '04 civic EX I pop the hood and look at the air box and there is no obvious way to access the air filter without applying a little force, and i'm somewhat reluctant because I don't want to break anything. She seems to have "misplaced" her manual. Anyone have any suggestions? thanks.

 

its a bunch of bolts that hold it down around the box. just loosen them all (lefty loosey, righty tighty) and it just lift right up. I duno what force you're thinking of applying lol..just loosen all the bolts..they go all around the funny shaped box.

 

well, initially from just glancing at it (i'm just having a beer relaxing, haven't really gone out there) the only bolts that were visible were the ones to actually remove the air box. I'm probably wrong, but from first glance, that's what i saw

 

Are you looking at the airbox on top of the intake manifold or towards the front of the engine compartment? The air filter is housed in the box on top of the intake manifold. You should see 6 or 7 8mm bolts that hold it on.

 

Yeah, I know what you're talking about, i just don't see any bolts, my '99 civic and then my '07 civic didn't need bolts, you just popped it off no problem, I don't know why on the '04 it's gotta be a bolt turnin process just to check an air filter

 

If you know what I'm talking about then you should see the bolts. Look at the valve cover then look behind it. Big black box with 8mm bolts, can't miss it. The 01-05 Civics, the newer accords, odysseys, pilots, crvs all use 8mm bolts (that you can use a phillips on too, but you won't be able to get them loose). Many other manufacturers use bolts/screws to secure the airbox lids. It is kinds of lame because the bolts get rusted on and turning them can take off chunks of the box, but that's what you have to deal with.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicSi707 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OK, so I understand that changing the air filter is possibly the easiest thing to do when it comes to cars, but on my girlfriends '04 civic EX I pop the hood and look at the air box and there is no obvious way to access the air filter without applying a little force, and i'm somewhat reluctant because I don't want to break anything. She seems to have "misplaced" her manual. Anyone have any suggestions? thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the honda manual wouldn't have described how to check the filter anyways so whatever. anyways, a little common sense is all you need to unscrew the air box's top portion.... it's REALLY not that hard. look around the box, see the bolt's that directly contact it, and take them out. lefty loosy, righty tighty. things in the engine bay aren't THAT fragile you know... one or two of the bolts might require a extension on the torque wrench, but i'm sure any tool box will have that

 

stop being lazy and get your *** out there and look at the engine bay. if you still can't figure things out, you probly should not be workin on cars in the first place.

 

I don't really consider replacing an air filter "working on cars". I guess technically it could be, but this takes minimal effort. You act like I'm droppin the transmission, and replacing the rear main seal, along with a new clutch and flywheel or something. I was simply inquiring about a car I don't own, and am not familiar with. Typical post from someone on honda-tech.

 

^^
Sorry, but everyone else was helpful. This thread alone has 3 helpful people to one sarcastic response. How does that make the one post 'typical'?