'97 Pontiac Bonneville l36 air filter not seating

[happyshippou]

I tried to check the air filter on this car I just bought, filter was fine, but I can't get the damn thing back together. I've been driving it week now with some of the intake seeping throught behind the filter, and I'm wondering if this may be the cause of check engine light that recently has been turning off and on.

Also, how critical is it that the thing reseats? I tried taping it, but I think it's getting worse. Yes, feel free to laugh, it's funny, I'm pretty much clueless.

[Tech II]

Is this the type that has silver metal clips that hold it together, or does it have screws?

This was together before you pulled it apart? If yes, did you interlock the bottom half into the housing and then rotate it up?

It will go together easier if you remove the snorkel between the cover the the throttle body.......just loosen the bands and pull it off the cover and the throttle body.....now it should be easier to attach the cover with more room......then flex the snorkel over the cover and throttle body......make sure the IAT (intake air temp sensor) is connected.....