Hello, I'm trying to get the old air filter out of my '87 non-turbo Carrera, and after I unclamp the housing like you describe, there's no room to open it enough to get the old filter out! I don't know what to do.

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There are two clips on the front and two on the back. Have you loosened both sets? If so the airbox lid should separate from the other half of the airbox and you should be able to replace the air filter.

- Casey

Be very careful with the air box lid.

Easiest way if you have factory AC, is to remove the bolts that hold the AC compressor on, remove the belt, and place the compressor on top of the left side intake. Now you can put your hand on the forward clips and easily remove the air box lid, once you remove the hose clamp for the crankcase vent.

If you have access to a child with small hands have them reach around the back of the box to unlatch. Only those crazy Germans could make changing an air filter so difficult.:D

Changing the air filter on a Carrera for a normal adult male is a challenge. The front clips are super easy. The bottom rear clip is a pain to fumble around and get it latched. The top rear latch is almost impossible. I have to get my arm wet with soapy water and then act like a farmer doing a check on a cow to see if she is pregnant. Just shove your arm in the space and you will find the clip and get it to snap. It is not easy to unsnap it. Many pros never do that top clip.

Good luck!

Small hands and arms
 

Smaller is much better to do this job. Be creative how you force your arm back there to manipulate the latches. Its always something I have to re-learn. Probably the best and only excuse to dump the OE set-up and go to a K&N out there.

I just changed mine this weekend. Very frustrating. I could get the lower back latch undone but could not get it back. Luckily my son is about 135lbs soaking wet. He was able to get his skinny arm back there but it even took him effort to get it hooked and then snapped back into locked position. Outside of using a kid or a lady with small arms, others have suggested greasing up your arm.

I was able to change my air filter without removing any AC stuff.
I think I had to remove the oil filter in order to stick my arm back there.

The really tough part is getting the clips back ON!

I just put a 7" tie wrap on each or the rear clips and it makes clamping them back on much easier. Its still a PITA, but at least I don't have to invent any new swear words. Usually...

I've got two of the filter housings - one on the car and a 'spare.' Both have broken bosses where the clips-of-many-names go... I hate those things, but I guess not bad enough to install a K & N or other non-OEM filter.

I wish someone would make an aftermarket filter housing that uses the OEM paper filter, but turned it 90-degrees (or some such)... there's lots of room for such under my turbo spoiler.

Rob

If you raise the car in the back and place jack stands then lower the jack, it will make just enough room to reach back into the upper clip.

Can you explain this further?

So if the car is on jack stands with the weight off the wheels you are saying the engine will somehow have more room? :confused:

Chassis flex. Makes sense, but you're talking millimeters.

I found that removing the clips was fairly easy but that snapping the top rear was a bear. After a session of profuse cussing and whining, I discovered that I could slide my hand over the TOP of the airbox rather than going around the right side. I have really big hands so most others should be able to do this. The sound pad is soft and gives you a little extra room when you stuff your hand over the top.

I have to remove the cover and filter to reach the shock adjuster knob so I am getting some practice at this.

Changing air filter
 

Simple, when you change your oil replace the air filter before you replace the oil filter, its tight but normal man hands can do it.

Getting the box off is usually finicky, but not impossible. Putting those damned clips on is insanely difficult.
I use the string method.

You loop a string (I use paracord) around the handle of the clips. I put the box on the filter, and ensure everything is lined up properly. Then I reach around the box and line up the clamps in the snapping channel. Then I pull on the string to snap the clamps closed. It takes a little force, but it works well. Make sure the box and the filter are lined up well. That's critical.
Once the clamps are snapped, I untie the string. Voila!

It's really rewarding to hear the clamp snap by the way.

I needed to remove my AFM in order to do the contact arm adjustment, so I needed to remove the air filter and the right side of the air box. I have AC.

The advice of luring your forearm with soapy water worked perfectly for the bottom rear clip. For the top rear clip, I put a string on the clip and pulled on it to snap it closed.