How to change air filter for grand prix

[ian2005]

I have a 2000 pontiac grand prix (3.1L) which i bought as a second hand car recently. becasue it reached 10,000 km now, i planed to replace the existing air filter with a new one. As I have heard that changing air filter is very easy, i planed to DIY. However, it seemed not that easy after I opened the hood. The filter housing is not horizontal as what it is shown on the general instruction of installation. The housing is actually vertical. I followed my owner's manual, loosing the two clips, pushing the filter cover housing toward the engine but not succeed. It is really hard to push the housing. I suspect what I did may be wrong. I am wondering whether anybody here did this before and could give me a hint. Thanks a lot.

[jon95se]

this is an easy one.

the air intake tube... take it out. take out the black tube near the throttle body. and unplug the Mass airflow sensor.

next, loosen up the two clamps on either end of the tube. pull the tube off the throttle body and off the air box.

now you can easily take the airbox cover off and replace the filter.

[ian2005]

so it is different with the procedure on owner's manual. actually, i am really confused with that instruction. it tells that i shall loose the two clips on top the housing and lift the filter cover tabs out of the housing which i don't understand. then push the filter cover housing toward the engine compressing the duct covolutes. however, i tried it doesn't work. i am wondering there are some other clips instead of the two on top. do you know? i would like to follow your way but not sure about the sensor. please advice. thanks a lot.

[jon95se]

just unplug everything from the duct covolutes. the little black breather tube, the wire harness from the sensor. should be a total of three things you unplug and then remove the convolute. then you will be able to unclip the two clips and push the filter cover housing out and off from the filter.