Curby's nearing 110K - What things should I have done?

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by FineExampl

Do you mean by the MAF?? Just use a pair of channel-lock pliers. You shouldn't have to disconnect a hose to change the filter. I don't understand.

and yes, i've changed every filter on the Bug myself.

Yes, everyone tells me I have to take that hose off the left-hand side to change the air filter. I tried and I can't do it.

[LadybugEwa]

I don't have the OEM filter because there's a p-flo sitting in there making vroom-vroom noises - otherwise I'd check it for you. Some writeups only call for removing 2 phillips screws on the cover of the air box. Others say to 'take off the clamp taking the hose and slide whole assembly out' Maybe someone who has one could comment so we can get this sorted for you

[SMG]

Is this the SAI hose we're talking about? If my memory serves me right you squeeze the hose at the airbox and it pops off. I don't have the SAI system so I've never had to deal with that hose.

[FineExampl]

Originally Posted by callisto9

Yes, everyone tells me I have to take that hose off the left-hand side to change the air filter. I tried and I can't do it.

Check out the diagram i have here.

1. squeeze the sides of this and disconnect it.
2. unplug this by pushing the little tab on the one side. it only goes one way, so you can't muss it up.
3. use channel lock pliers and squeeze this ring and push it to the one side. It's a PITA, but it's easier than paying someone to do it for you or buying the right tool. Use the biggest pliers you have.
4. unscrew the screws on either sides. one is way down real deep so use a long screwdriver with a magnetic tip or you'll lose it in the engine somewhere like me the first time.
5. (not pictured) there are 2 screws holding the MAF sensor to the airbox. They just unscrew if needed.

Once the screws are out, the cover just comes right off. I might have overdone these directions. I think these directions are if you want to take the whole airbox out. If so, i'm sure someone will correct me. Either way, that filter will come out with these directions.

[SMG]

The big spring clips on the air tube / MAF are a PITA. You should try to locate a pair of vice grips to take them off. I only have a small pair of channel locks and they don't work as well as the vice grips do.

[FineExampl]

Originally Posted by SMG

The big spring clips on the air tube / MAF are a PITA. You should try to locate a pair of vice grips to take them off. I only have a small pair of channel locks and they don't work as well as the vice grips do.

I disagree. I have channel locks meant for plumbing/drain pipes and they provided a much more stable grip than my vice grips did. To each their own though.

[Beetlemania]

Hey Erin, how's your headliner holding up? Do you need to replace it yet? Just kidding!

Look at you, being all responsible with Curby! You're so sweet! He better be treating you right!

[callisto9]

Ok, thanks for all the help! I'll try this again this week!

John, thanks for the pic. MUCHAS GRACIAS!

[Growler]

erin, the screws that john is talkign about are on the FAR side of the airbox and are captive, they wont unscrew all the way.

to change the filter all you need to do is remove the two screws, tilt the top of the box forward, push it back toward the windshield and the lid will pop off enuf to get the old filter out.

slide the new one in, hook the hooks back into the front places

screw in the two screws

and you are done

[callisto9]

Ok, I unscrewed the stuff in red. I didn't see anything to unscrew in the blue area, as John suggests.

[hyakugojyuuichi]

Originally Posted by SMG

The big spring clips on the air tube / MAF are a PITA. You should try to locate a pair of vice grips to take them off. I only have a small pair of channel locks and they don't work as well as the vice grips do.

Those clips were the worst part for me. My dad is an electrician and has every took known to man except a pair of vice grips so I had to use his channel locks. It took me about 20 minutes to change mine but only because I had never done it before.

[FineExampl]

Originally Posted by callisto9

Ok, I unscrewed the stuff in red. I didn't see anything to unscrew in the blue area, as John suggests.

Yeah, my bad. The lid can open up just as you have it right there. The blue area are just like hooks. You did get the 2nd screw on the other side of the MAF sensor, right?

[FineExampl]

If you still can't figure it out by tomorrow Erin, let me know. I have a stock airbox in my closet. I can help you out. I also have my Haynes around here somewhere too.

I'm puzzled why this isn't working out for you.

For now, check for the other screw that i highlighted her with the arrow.

[g00niebird]

I just did this to Violet a week or two ago. All I had to do was remove the 3 screws on the top, disconnect the two hoses (big and little) on the left side, then wrestle the cover off. It's really shoehorned in there.

It wasn't as much of a PITA to put it back on, you just have to make sure the tabs on the bottom (blue circle) all engage properly

Good luck!

[Titchy]

Ya know Erin, I have had Jeeps and Sammies for many years and done a whole lot of work on them myself. Wired lights, hooked up dual batteries, added fuse boxes, relocated air boxes, done more suspension work than I care to remember, changed all fluids blablabla. But trying stuff on this Beetle totally freaks me out partly because of the cramped under the hood space and the seemingly fragility of a lot of the parts and the dreaded Check Engine Light if you screw up. I started to do this filter change one day and totally couldn't get the darn top to move far enough to get the filter out. I finally had to give it up and go back to it at a later date. But I did get it done. I used some needle nosed vice grips on that clamp.

The headlights, what's with that set up? Yikes!

I really like the car, but I am not crazy about some of the stuff that goes with it. I do like to do my own work but I really think twice about doing some of the things I would like to do.

Hang in there, at least here at the forum, everybody has done most everything and taken pix. It's a lifesaver and they are always encouraging.

Tracy

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by Titchy

Ya know Erin, I have had Jeeps and Sammies for many years and done a whole lot of work on them myself. Wired lights, hooked up dual batteries, added fuse boxes, relocated air boxes, done more suspension work than I care to remember, changed all fluids blablabla. But trying stuff on this Beetle totally freaks me out partly because of the cramped under the hood space and the seemingly fragility of a lot of the parts and the dreaded Check Engine Light if you screw up. I started to do this filter change one day and totally couldn't get the darn top to move far enough to get the filter out. I finally had to give it up and go back to it at a later date. But I did get it done. I used some needle nosed vice grips on that clamp.

The headlights, what's with that set up? Yikes!

I really like the car, but I am not crazy about some of the stuff that goes with it. I do like to do my own work but I really think twice about doing some of the things I would like to do.

Hang in there, at least here at the forum, everybody has done most everything and taken pix. It's a lifesaver and they are always encouraging.

Tracy

Thanks for the encouragement! I'll get to it one of these days.