Hey guys, I changed the air filter but one corner (closest to fusebox) of air box is not completely tight and I can't figure out why. I have changed filters many times before on many cars but this last bolt won't screw in and something is keeping it open. I am going to try again tomorrow when light is out but is there any harm in me driving my car to work with the airbox like this? I taped it with duct tape for now to not let any dirt or rocks in. Pic below.

 

looks like bolt is stripped!

 

^perhaps, but i can't even close the box all the way in that one corner. All other corners closed fine.

 

because either the bolt is stripped or the plastic is stripped or the mount is stripped.


to fix it, you're going to need to extract which ever piece is stripped and replace it.


For now, maybe you can remove the bolt, and ZIPTIE the two pieces together.

 

depending on how the air filter sits, it may still be filtering and doing its job, even tho there's a gap.

 

I keep pushing the top and bottom airbox parts together at the corner and it won't close enough for me to ziptie it. I was thinking maybe the filter isnt in right but then the other 3 corners closed easily and the filter looked flat and in place when I placed it in.

 

i'm too lazy to go look at my car real quick, BUTTT!!!!!!!


I believe that the AIR FILTER sits at the bottom there. so, even tho that one corner has a gap, the air STILL has to go over the filter to get to the throttle body.

Does this makes sense?

in short, I believe the filter is still doing its job even tho you have a gap in that corner.

 

I really hope this is the case! My concern is if the gap is above the filter and all the engine dust/gunk will bypass it and going into the hose/sensor. If anyone can verify based on that picture that would be great haha

 

get to know your car!
take off the other three remaining screws and see if the air filter sits at the bottom, then use reasoning and logic to determine if you're okay or not!

that's what I would do, anyway.

 

Can't say anything that hasn't been said by Justn. Open it, check why it's not closing properly. On mine one of the bolts broke and it still holds just fine with 3 left...

 

Thanks guys. I'll open it up after work and see whats going on.

 

Just popped that sucka back in. thanks for the help guys