Air filter replacement, Chevy Venture 2001

[dweb99]

Further to the excellent information included at the closed thread

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t336997.html

I want to add a bit more information. The first thing that must be done is to remove the radiator overflow container and the big body strengthening cross-bar that it's attached to. I didn't see that mentioned in the old thread.

First time I replaced the filter took around two hours. I couldn't believe the engineers could design something that on older cars with carburetors took only the removal of a wing nut and the air cleaner lid, and two minutes time. But, they did. My salesman says it should only take a few minutes to change the filter. My salesman lies.

Once the radiator overflow container and cross-bar are removed, I carefully disconnect the wiring going to the air flow sensor, then take a broad blade screw driver and work it around the rubber connecting hose that goes between the air flow sensor and the throttle body and loosen it for removal from the throttle body. Then, I coax the rubber hose away from the throttle body and that gives me room to repeat the process on the rubber hose that goes between the air flow sensor and the air cleaner box. At this point I can twist and coax the two rubber hose pieces away from the throttle body and air flow sensor and work the whole assembly out of the way. Then I flip the latches on the air cleaner box and easily remove and replace the filter. To make things easier next time I spray the inside of the ends of the rubber hoses with Teflon. Don't forget to put everything back together!

['97ventureowner]

You think that it's laborious to R&R the air filter... wait until you try to tackle R&R the battery!

[dweb99]

I did change the battery a couple of years ago, and it was almost as much fun as changing the air filter. Not quite, but almost. My friend's '96 Pontiac Transporter's air filter takes five minutes to change.

[MR1972]

I changed the air filter on mine last week. I didn't have to remove the cross bar. When the MAF sensor and the hoses are removed, there is enough room to open the cover.
Took me 15 minutes to get the job done.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by dweb99

I did change the battery a couple of years ago, and it was almost as much fun as changing the air filter. Not quite, but almost. My friend's '96 Pontiac Transporter's air filter takes five minutes to change.

Because that was the previous model year's design, and a lot of things were easier to do on those previous models It seems as GM likes to make things harder on their customers as the years go on.