1997-2004 Ford F-150 Air Filter Replacement

The air filter plays an important role in your...

iFixit Library 1997-2003 Ford F-150 Easy 10 - 20 minutes Guide 158305

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Guide overview

Before you begin

The air filter plays an important role in your engine by keeping dirt, dust, and other debris out of the combustion chamber. Because of that, the air filter needs replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on the driving conditions. NOTE: This guide uses a 4.6L V8 engine on a 2003 Ford F-150 to demonstrate the procedure. Before beginning this guide, make sure that your truck is off and in park with the emergency brake on.

Step 1

Repair step

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Pull on the hood release handle located on the driver's side to the left of the brake pedal to pop the hood.
To open the hood, reach into the gap at the front of the truck and feel for the latch.
Push it to the left to release it and lift up on the hood.

Step 2

Repair step

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The air filter box is located in the front right front corner of the engine bay.
To disconnect the Mass Airflow Sensor squeeze the tab on the connector and pull it away from the sensor.

Step 3

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a flathead screwdriver or a nut driver to loosen the hose clamp that attaches the air filter box to the air inlet tube.
When the clamp is loosened set the air inlet tube to the side.

Step 4

Repair step

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Disconnect the air filter box clamp by pulling the clamp handle towards you.
This will loosen the clamp and allow the air box to separate.

Step 5

Repair step

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To separate air filter box rotate it while pulling the left side of box upwards, removing it from the housing.
Once the left side of box is removed reach into the right side of the box and remove the air filter.
Dispose of the old air filter and replace with it with the new air filter.