I was wondering if there was a special way to remove the engine air filter on a 2013? I unclip and open the two plastic sides as much as I can and the filter wont come out.

Now short of using brute force(before I do that), am I missing something? Do I have to take the plastic parts completely apart to take out the filter? I didn't want to use too much force until I know the proper way.

Its been driving me crazy, I am probably missing something as I cant imagine its that difficult to remove.

Any help is appreciated!

 

No, you have done it right.
After unclipping the two metal clasps you just open the two halves a little, then the OEM air filter will just come out.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ou...der-sport.html

 

Do you just open it a little and it is loose? Mine seems to be stuck at the bottom, my guess the grooves around the perimeter to keep it in one place. Even with moderate force pulling it doesnt come out. And its pretty thick so even if I could get it loose I would have to separate the case pretty wide. I measured the replacement and its 4cm thick approx.

Is it supposed to be stuck or just loose and come out?

 

it should be lose enough to pull out easily. Perhaps they pinched it with the 2 cover sides and is sticking. It's pretty tuff stuff that plastic. lol just pry it open as wide as your hands will allow and see if a screw driver will help peel around the filter.
You may have to pull a lil harder on it.
If that fails, there are 1 or 2 10mm bolts at the bottom front. (and the obvious tube to the TB) a long extension and wratchet are all it takes and the whole thing just comes straight up. (it centers on 2 small pins with grommets) let us know how it turns out.

 

Well after 20 minutes of fiddling and splitting the two halves it came out. It was crimped in so many places, it looks like the technicians just kept checking it then jamming it back in with force and closing it with force. It was crimped all over. I will have to mention that next time I go for service for them to be careful with the filter.

I kinda figured it should have been easy, my wife laughed saying you cant change a filter now?!?!? Even after I showed her why

The new one is in properly and the mitsu is breathing well again!

Thanks for the response from both of you!

 

^
Wives do that... don't they?
My wife laughs AND tells me stuff about why I "waste" so much time meddling with things that aren't broken all the time > Like it's called maintenance.

Sure, glad to see you got that diaper filter out.

 

I had no problems taking the filter out but getting it back in required taking the whole box out in order to seat the filter and the lid correctly.

 

I did the same thing when I replaced my OEM filter with the K&N Filter. Im not going to lie it was such a PITA to do it with the box in the engine bay I just took the damn thing out and did it on the work bench which was WAY EASIER then suffering bent over the engine for 25 minutes.