Air filter replacement - is there a trick?

I replaced the air filter in our '95 Blazer last weekend. Our Haynes manual said that after I disengaged two clips the two pastic halves would seperate to give access to the air filter.

What I found is that the two halves do not seperate very far and it is very hard to pull them apart enough to change the air filter. I eventually used all my strength to pull the old one out and put the new one in. My arm was too fat to fit in and try to brush out the debris inside the outer plastic half :uhoh:

Is there an undocumented trick to doing this more elegantly?

Thanks,
-- recurve

Is there an undocumented trick to doing this more elegantly?

Thanks,
-- recurve

What I always did was used a screwdriver to remove the stainless band that holds the intake hose to the airbox. Once that was done, pull and twist the PVC air intake hose out of the rubber part you just disconnected - it's a grey, stiff plastice tube. Then twist and pull the air intake tube off the side of the air filter box and turn away to one side far enough to grasp the airbox and pull it straight up and out.

Once out an in the open, unfasten the two metal clips. The airbox is hinged on the lower part, pulling the two halves apart about 90 degrees will give you room to unhook the hinge and then you have full access to clean the box and exhange your filters. Assembly is the reverse of removal. There are little "ears" on the rectangular hole on the airbox that slides and holds it against the interior of the engine compartment behind the headlight. Be mindful to get it back into that slot and you should be golden. Remember to plug in your PCV breather back into the hole in the rubber part of the intake before you go off and joy ride. ;)

That makes sense. I'm glad to hear that someone else had a similar situation and can offer a good solution. I'm new to car maintenance, and thought about seperating the tubing but thought I'd post here first - glad I did! :lol2:

This sort of thing should be explained better in the Haynes manual.

Thanks,
-- recurve

I did it, I pulled the plastic air filter box completely out of the Blazer. To be honest, I can't imagine any other way to do this properly.

One question though… what is the "PCV breather?" I saw a hose coming out of the engine that wasn't connected anywhere (about 0.5" in diameter). There is a hole in the large rubber air intake tubing close to the air filter box that fit this hose. I'm assuming this hose is the PCV breather? I plugged it in. For years this hose has been dangling there, I figure even if it is not the PCV breather it should be better for it to be exposed to "clean" air so I stuck it in the air intake hole. Please someone confirm for me what this hose is, it bugs me :-)

I had one helluva time getting the large air intake hose off of the air filter box. It was like it bonded with the plastic of the air filter box. I eventually used a peeling motion with my finger nails all around the edges and used all my strength I could summon to disengage the air intake tube.

Anyway, cleaned everything up and got the air filter placed perfectly now. I'm using one of those oiled sponge filters from AMSOIL.

Thanks so much for the helping hand wolfox!
-- recurve

dont worry this is normal for a Blazer

That air hose you found dangling in the open on the airbox side is *filtered* air that is drawn through the engine. On the other side of the engine block, in the top of one of your valve covers (Passenger side) you will find a similar grey plastic hose with a small, 90 degree rubber boot plugged into a round, metal device. The other end disappears under your throttle body. The small, metal device sitting on that passenger side is the PCV. Removing the rubber boot from the metal device, and then twisting/pulling it from the rubber grommit takes it out. No tools needed. Every tune-up I toss that little device away and plug in a new one. They are only $1 to $2.50 a shot. If you are experiencing idle quality issues, swap that part out first. It will get stuck closed eventually and make the engine lope a bit at idle.

You used to be able to check one of these for function by taking it out and giving it a shake. If it rattled it's good - however, on the 4.3 CPIs, it is irrelevant. I had these things rattle like they should when shaken, but they are still plugged up inside with varnish and goop. If it is properly functioning, at a warm idle, the engine will raise slightly in RPM when the boot is removed. When you plug it back in, you should hear the valve operating - it makes a distinct buzzing and rattling at idle you will not realize is there until you do what I describe.

And you are welcome. The truck's manual was hopeless when it came to the air filter replacement proceedure. It says to pop open the clips, and push the housing back, toward the engine block to gain access to the filter. Utterly wrong. :P

Thanks for the additional info about the PCV valve wolfox. I've ordered a new one for both of our trucks, I doubt it has ever been changed. I'll try to listen for that distinct buzz from the PCV valve operating when I put the new one in.

Thanks,
-- recurve