Update by David S. Wallens to the
Porsche 911 Carrera project car
Mar 29, 2022
A stock replacement air filter for a 3.2-liter Porsche 911 Carrera will only cost you less than $15.
But replacing it can be maddening.
Removing the old filter isn’t too bad as just four spring-loaded toggle latches (aka hasp clamps) secure the air box lid: two within view and two on the backside of the air box. You kinda have to reach all the way back there to reach those hidden ones–let your fingers do the walking.
Once the lid has been removed, then simply replace the filter. We picked up a Mahle filter from FCP Euro, meaning that it now has a lifetime guarantee.
But first, let’s take a minute to prepare for reinstalling the air box lid.
The toggle latches used to secure the air box are mostly formed in wire–there’s the handle as well as the loop that secures the air box lid to the air box itself.
First tip:
To help find that handle–as well as provide some extra leverage–attach a zip-tie to the latches. Don’t worry, you won’t lose any concours points because no one will see them because we’re only talking about two latches on the backside of the air box. More on the why in a sec.
Second tip:
In order to reach those two toggle latches on the backside of the air box, you need to get your arm all the way back in there–between the air box itself and an a/c line. If your arm seems to get to a certain point and then just gets stuck, lube up your forearm with some petroleum jelly.
Your lubed-up forearm should easily slip back behind the air box, and now your fingers can fish around for that zip-tie.
The zip-tie likely will have slipped out of position, but you should be able to finesse it back into place so that it can articulate the latch. Pulling the zip-tie should then snap the toggle latch into the closed position–yes, you can pull on the handle itself, but the zip-tie provides a bit more leverage.
Now enjoy your extra-soft skin the rest of the day.
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