Thanks - this was helpful! I ended up matching the gasket part first and shoving the radial air filter in (using quite a bit of force), and rotating the air filter as needed to get the notch to line up. In the end, the radial air filter should line up with the "open" side of the housing so that you can easily put the cover back on. All in all, a big pain, but I got there.
Thanks for this video. I bought an after market air-filter for my 2013 ford focus last year, but wasn't sure how to do the job until after seeing your video this morning.
Thank you on the video. I'd spent 2 hours last night on my Volvo C30 trying to make the filter fit into place with a proper seal. It was tedious as hell but I did it my way. Wish I'd seen this video before haba
Real-time replacement, not like the vids that skip over the difficult parts: Lining up the filter flange, and then fitting the flanges on the cover so that it snaps into place. Careful alignment is crucial! I replaced an air filter today (which is why I watched this video). Although the replacement Purolator filter was the exact same length, I could not get the bottom to fit into the groove in the air box. There were a pair of tabs in the way - I broke them off, and the filter fit fine.
Nice vid, just found your channel. I recently took my air filter out to change and couldn't get the new one back in, yes, I'm hopeless, had to call a mechanic out, lol.
+phil mason Don't be discouraged because of this, DIY is fun and satisfactory when done it right! Certain maintenance tasks can be DIY on this car still, but you can always get some idea from here first before start working on them.
I used to do all my own servicing, on old cars. I think I was worried about damaging something with the air filter, if I'd found your very helpful video I'd have been more confident in changing it. Thanks for the great videos, they are of very interesting.
Do you know where I can find a video explaining how to replace the battery? I know how to change a battery I just can't get the battery out. My old vehicles were so much easier to just disconnect and replace. Ford really made battery changing a pain lol. Thanks for the help and awesome video btw man! Keep up the good wook!
Ford changed the size of the replacement filters - they are nearly 3/16 inch, or 5 mm longer. you essentially have to crush the filter a little to get it to fit.
I broke my Air Filter Clips on the Air Filter box trying to force the Air Filter into the unit. Following day, I removed the cover again and used a Grease on the filter lip and on the intake flue. It went in like a glove. I used Easy Grease ‘Easy Grease Spray Lubricant Synthetic Oil Waterproof Rust Protection’ from Amazon but you can possible use any other which can withstand -20 to +120 degrees. PS mine was original Volvo Filter. Same recommendation applies for Ford and others.
how did you seat the filter in the groove (when you had the camera down) just push it to the left of the car or squeeze the filter vertically. how many miles to change this filter and cabin filter? thanks
You started from the left to align the Air Filter neck to the intake hose and gently push & tug it into the air box. Assuming you're installing a genuine Ford Air Filter like I demo in here, it also has a small tap on the filter to line up to the air box housing. As for how many miles to change, there's no solid answer because it depends on the driving conditions. Typical 'guideline' of 20000 miles which you can follow, but you can also inspect them first before deciding to change or not. If the filters look dark & dirty, do it!
I'm having some trouble getting the new one in. I'm not sure I'm getting the tab in first, and I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to squeeze the filter in once the tab is in place. Any extra tips?
You don't need to apply too much force to the filter. Simply align and slot it into the tab and slide the other side to the pipe opening (like showing in this video) and screw the top cover back in.
This is just an idea. But did you try putting the gasket over the air intake first, then use the cover to push it into place? I didn't think about it until the cover wouldn't align to screw it down. So I put the cover over the filter loosely. Then I pushed the open end of the cover towards the filter and it popped into place. Trying it the way you did it in the video, the plastic clips on the backside that hold it into place broke off. It didn't help that it was cold out.
The way you mentioned, putting the gasket over the air intake first, is the first time I was trying too. However; I found that the air filter sleeves (the cap-end side) may not always align correctly or flush with the air box. Don't worry about the plastic clip, it comes with the filter anyway. No big deal if you broke it, just don't force it too hard in the next one. Or do it on warmer day because plastic tend to be brittle in cold.
moomoo97 it wasn't the clip on the filter that broke. It was the clips on the air box, that the clip on the filter fits between. But after I put the lid on, it seems to be in sung enough not to worry. Thank you for your videos and for replying.
Why do people who make these DIY vids never think of implementing a gorilla stand/tripod? Whoever tries changing an air filter is not going to change it with one hand are they? It would make your life easier when making these vids!!
+Acreeet Thanks for the suggestion. Though I made most of the videos just on the get-go and non-scripted. It's flexible to just hold the camera and point it to where I want to show and demo. I did use tripod in some complex tasks during recording.
singingrain, If the engineers who designed this had been told that one of their design requirements was to make it very difficult to change the filter I don't think they could have done a better job of that. I hope that was not the case, and that it was only incompetence that resulted in this difficulty. Either way, they should be punished for it. ( 3:52 ) ( 7:17 ) (None of the other cars I've owned over the last fifty years has even come close to being at all difficult to change the air filter.)
Just changed mine out ( 2016 Focus SE 2.0 L L4 ) and found out the new ones I tried are a lil bigger than orignal one and so much harder to put it in .I tried supertech , fram and even Motorcraft and they all a lil longer . Anyone else had a problem putting in new one ? Verry tight tolerances I just had shove it in past the lip that holds it properly
+Matthew Corbett Depends on your driving environment, but simply check every 5000 miles or at every oil change. Safe to do replacement every 10-12k miles.
The end of the filter MUST be fit into the groove of the filter housing along with the tab on the filter. If the filter is not in the groove the air filter box fasteners will not line up.
I’m sure everyone’s oil change shop is honest, but I still mark my filter with small mark to avoid new filter scam I caught a couple shops try. Guess I’m paranoid but filters are bigger and more expensive!!
moomoo97, Marking the old filter is much easier, less messy, and less dangerous than doing the whole oil and filter change yourself. While it is a fairly easy job for an experienced DIYer, I can appreciate that it is a bit intimidating to a novice, and why some would rather pay someone else to do it. Even though I change my own, I write the date and mileage right on the filter before installing it. Then I take a photo of it and email the photo to myself (with other photos of the filter removed, oil draining, and odometer) as proof of when the work was done. If I ever have to have someone else do an oil change, I will give them the new filter to use with the date and miles already written on it. My problem is that I don't trust anyone else working on my car to not mess something up. Least of all, someone who is in a hurry to get it done because the faster they work the more money they make. Too many bad experiences letting a "professional" work on my cars -- some very serious. I'd rather get dirty myself (as much as I dislike that some days) than deal with that ever again.
Thanks! And Battery Replacement? You come to the right channel :) Subscribe and I'm open to suggestions on most Ford Focus Mk3 DIY maintenance.... Feel free to check out and share my other DIY videos too.
DanielDaniel1, "Don't reinstall the cover and ... " ... you will avoid the hassle of getting the screws and the edges of the box aligned. I'm tempted to try it to hear the induction sound, but I'd be concerned about whether the air under the hood being hotter than the outside air normally drawn through the snorkel (just inside the front grille) might affect performance -- "all show, no go"? There are a few discussions at focusfanatics dot com about removing the snorkel, which appears to be an acoustic damper. It is even more difficult than changing the air filter, and does not make the induction sound as loud as leaving the filter box open, but does allow a bit more sound (noise to some, music to others) than stock.
You are doing it completely wrong - aligning it to the tabs first and then forcing the tubular side onto the pipe ending? Why would you do that??? You should put the open side of the filter onto the intake pipe opening first, then move the closed end down, behind the tabs. It is intended that way by Ford! This way you won't break the tabs and you don't have to force anything - it just snaps into place, the closed end goes into its groove in the housing. That's all! Please don't spread this nonsense, look at all the comments, others broke their filter housings because of bad instructions! And it is expensive to buy a new one, even a broken housing will let debris and dirt in!
Thanks - this was helpful! I ended up matching the gasket part first and shoving the radial air filter in (using quite a bit of force), and rotating the air filter as needed to get the notch to line up. In the end, the radial air filter should line up with the "open" side of the housing so that you can easily put the cover back on. All in all, a big pain, but I got there.
Thanks for this video. I bought an after market air-filter for my 2013 ford focus last year, but wasn't sure how to do the job until after seeing your video this morning.
Love your videos, if only I could be as meticulous and thorough as you!
Thank you on the video. I'd spent 2 hours last night on my Volvo C30 trying to make the filter fit into place with a proper seal. It was tedious as hell but I did it my way. Wish I'd seen this video before haba
Thanks so much - very helpful. Cabin filter is also tricky, but I did it over the weekend with the help of RUclips.
Real-time replacement, not like the vids that skip over the difficult parts: Lining up the filter flange, and then fitting the flanges on the cover so that it snaps into place. Careful alignment is crucial!
I replaced an air filter today (which is why I watched this video). Although the replacement Purolator filter was the exact same length, I could not get the bottom to fit into the groove in the air box. There were a pair of tabs in the way - I broke them off, and the filter fit fine.
Thanks for the idea! Heard it's a pain to replace the cabin filter in this car.
I'll make a video later about the process.
From now on i'm gonna check all your videos cuz we have the same car. Thnx for sharing
Thanks, this is a helpful walk-through :)
Great job well done 👍
Nice vid, just found your channel. I recently took my air filter out to change and couldn't get the new one back in, yes, I'm hopeless, had to call a mechanic out, lol.
+phil mason Don't be discouraged because of this, DIY is fun and satisfactory when done it right! Certain maintenance tasks can be DIY on this car still, but you can always get some idea from here first before start working on them.
I used to do all my own servicing, on old cars. I think I was worried about damaging something with the air filter, if I'd found your very helpful video I'd have been more confident in changing it. Thanks for the great videos, they are of very interesting.
Do you know where I can find a video explaining how to replace the battery? I know how to change a battery I just can't get the battery out. My old vehicles were so much easier to just disconnect and replace. Ford really made battery changing a pain lol. Thanks for the help and awesome video btw man! Keep up the good wook!
That was a brilliant tutorial. can you do a video on a spark plug change and a fuel filter change please?
Ford changed the size of the replacement filters - they are nearly 3/16 inch, or 5 mm longer. you essentially have to crush the filter a little to get it to fit.
Yes. The part numbers match, but the replacement is longer. You really do have to crush it.
Thank you! Mine is hardly fitting and I'm banging my head against a wall trying to get it to fit.
How would you recommend crushing it? I have the same issue.
Thanks for this tutorial!
Thanks! If not already done so, please give this video a LIKE so it can be searched out easier by others in here.
I broke my Air Filter Clips on the Air Filter box trying to force the Air Filter into the unit. Following day, I removed the cover again and used a Grease on the filter lip and on the intake flue. It went in like a glove. I used Easy Grease ‘Easy Grease Spray Lubricant Synthetic Oil Waterproof Rust Protection’ from Amazon but you can possible use any other which can withstand -20 to +120 degrees. PS mine was original Volvo Filter. Same recommendation applies for Ford and others.
Thanks, keep up the good work!!
Nice, work Thanks
thanks for the video.
Great video, thank you!
Glad it helped, please do a LIKE to this video too!
Video stabilization for the win.
Great DIY videos thank you
Hope you have a Cabin filter video soon.
What about switching air filter into cold air filter, have you changed it yet DIY video?
Cool, glad the video helps!
No I didn't switch over to cold air intake but using the drop-in replacement only. The process is the same on that part.
how did you seat the filter in the groove (when you had the camera down) just push it to the left of the car or squeeze the filter vertically.
how many miles to change this filter and cabin filter? thanks
You started from the left to align the Air Filter neck to the intake hose and gently push & tug it into the air box. Assuming you're installing a genuine Ford Air Filter like I demo in here, it also has a small tap on the filter to line up to the air box housing. As for how many miles to change, there's no solid answer because it depends on the driving conditions. Typical 'guideline' of 20000 miles which you can follow, but you can also inspect them first before deciding to change or not. If the filters look dark & dirty, do it!
I'm having some trouble getting the new one in. I'm not sure I'm getting the tab in first, and I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to squeeze the filter in once the tab is in place. Any extra tips?
You don't need to apply too much force to the filter. Simply align and slot it into the tab and slide the other side to the pipe opening (like showing in this video) and screw the top cover back in.
This is just an idea. But did you try putting the gasket over the air intake first, then use the cover to push it into place? I didn't think about it until the cover wouldn't align to screw it down. So I put the cover over the filter loosely. Then I pushed the open end of the cover towards the filter and it popped into place. Trying it the way you did it in the video, the plastic clips on the backside that hold it into place broke off. It didn't help that it was cold out.
The way you mentioned, putting the gasket over the air intake first, is the first time I was trying too. However; I found that the air filter sleeves (the cap-end side) may not always align correctly or flush with the air box.
Don't worry about the plastic clip, it comes with the filter anyway. No big deal if you broke it, just don't force it too hard in the next one. Or do it on warmer day because plastic tend to be brittle in cold.
moomoo97 it wasn't the clip on the filter that broke. It was the clips on the air box, that the clip on the filter fits between. But after I put the lid on, it seems to be in sung enough not to worry. Thank you for your videos and for replying.
I could not get the tab in first so I aligned it and put the intake side in first then push the tab in- make sure it's aligned.
Why do people who make these DIY vids never think of implementing a gorilla stand/tripod?
Whoever tries changing an air filter is not going to change it with one hand are they? It would make your life easier when making these vids!!
+Acreeet Thanks for the suggestion. Though I made most of the videos just on the get-go and non-scripted. It's flexible to just hold the camera and point it to where I want to show and demo. I did use tripod in some complex tasks during recording.
It's good to see an Asian guy buy a ford or domestic car :)
YOU ARE GOOD !!!
Thanks Ford. I have done a lot of things on cars. But this filter kicked my rear end big time. It just needs to man handled.
singingrain,
If the engineers who designed this had been told that one of their design requirements was to make it very difficult to change the filter I don't think they could have done a better job of that. I hope that was not the case, and that it was only incompetence that resulted in this difficulty. Either way, they should be punished for it. ( 3:52 ) ( 7:17 ) (None of the other cars I've owned over the last fifty years has even come close to being at all difficult to change the air filter.)
Just changed mine out ( 2016 Focus SE 2.0 L L4 ) and found out the new ones I tried are a lil bigger than orignal one and so much harder to put it in .I tried supertech , fram and even Motorcraft and they all a lil longer . Anyone else had a problem putting in new one ? Verry tight tolerances I just had shove it in past the lip that holds it properly
At how many miles should I replaced my air filter?
+Matthew Corbett Depends on your driving environment, but simply check every 5000 miles or at every oil change. Safe to do replacement every 10-12k miles.
+moomoo97 thanks for the response. I had 62k on mine have already replaced it.
The end of the filter MUST be fit into the groove of the filter housing along with the tab on the filter. If the filter is not in the groove the air filter box fasteners will not line up.
I’m sure everyone’s oil change shop is honest, but I still mark my filter with small mark to avoid new filter scam I caught a couple shops try. Guess I’m paranoid but filters are bigger and more expensive!!
But I don't get your logic that if you can mark the old filter (reaching it) why not just DIY changing it?
moomoo97,
Marking the old filter is much easier, less messy, and less dangerous than doing the whole oil and filter change yourself. While it is a fairly easy job for an experienced DIYer, I can appreciate that it is a bit intimidating to a novice, and why some would rather pay someone else to do it.
Even though I change my own, I write the date and mileage right on the filter before installing it. Then I take a photo of it and email the photo to myself (with other photos of the filter removed, oil draining, and odometer) as proof of when the work was done. If I ever have to have someone else do an oil change, I will give them the new filter to use with the date and miles already written on it.
My problem is that I don't trust anyone else working on my car to not mess something up. Least of all, someone who is in a hurry to get it done because the faster they work the more money they make. Too many bad experiences letting a "professional" work on my cars -- some very serious. I'd rather get dirty myself (as much as I dislike that some days) than deal with that ever again.
Thanks! And Battery Replacement? You come to the right channel :)
Subscribe and I'm open to suggestions on most Ford Focus Mk3 DIY maintenance....
Feel free to check out and share my other DIY videos too.
Thanks for the comments.
Hope my videos will serve as visual guides for these DIY maintenance. Feel free to share them out.
Pro-tip: Don't reinstall the cover and you will be rewarded with a very nice induction noise.
DanielDaniel1,
"Don't reinstall the cover and ... " ... you will avoid the hassle of getting the screws and the edges of the box aligned.
I'm tempted to try it to hear the induction sound, but I'd be concerned about whether the air under the hood being hotter than the outside air normally drawn through the snorkel (just inside the front grille) might affect performance -- "all show, no go"?
There are a few discussions at focusfanatics dot com about removing the snorkel, which appears to be an acoustic damper. It is even more difficult than changing the air filter, and does not make the induction sound as loud as leaving the filter box open, but does allow a bit more sound (noise to some, music to others) than stock.
moomo097 do you have facebook page?
How To Replace Ford Focus Fuel Filter
+Paulo Moreira Mk3 Focus and above model years all have lifetime fuel filter, which is not replaceable unless you replace the whole fuel pump.
It's a tutorial with Jackie Chan!
+Cole H LOL....but there's no stunt involved, just know-how.
moomoo97 His hands be stuntin lool
You are doing it completely wrong - aligning it to the tabs first and then forcing the tubular side onto the pipe ending? Why would you do that??? You should put the open side of the filter onto the intake pipe opening first, then move the closed end down, behind the tabs. It is intended that way by Ford! This way you won't break the tabs and you don't have to force anything - it just snaps into place, the closed end goes into its groove in the housing. That's all! Please don't spread this nonsense, look at all the comments, others broke their filter housings because of bad instructions! And it is expensive to buy a new one, even a broken housing will let debris and dirt in!
Why put the cover back on its not really needed ? It will still filter the engine air and breath better.
The cover has its place for water prevention to keep the paper air filter dry.
very helpful. thanks