How To Change Air Filter On 2003-2007 Honda Accord

How to install a new air filter on a 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 or 2007 Honda Accord. I replaced the dirty air filter as part of a tune up on my 2006 Accord. Honda recommends this be done every 30,000 miles or 24 months.
▶ SUBSCRIBE & HIT THE 🔔 bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
👍 And please give my video a thumbs up 👍
▶FACEBOOK.com/RJTheBikeGuy
/ rjthebikeguy
▶TOOLS
www.rjthebikeguy.com/tools
▶SHIRTS
bit.ly/RJBikeGuyShirts
▶WEBPAGE
www.RJTheBikeGuy.com

[@teriglee6863]

Just did my 2005. Video was big help but also found that removing the one battery hold down post gave me the extra wiggle room I needed.

[@alexanderpapp5889]

Missed a step where you accidentally drop 8mm socket into the engine abyss, never to be seen again. Then try to use a Phillips head instead, but grip it and strip it.

[@ChainsGone2012]

Lost my wedding ring changing the air filter in my wife's car. That engine abyss is a real thing 😂😂😂

[@Lenalou03]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@curaticac5391]

Yep, that's what would definitely happen, had I tried 😂!

[@JMRSplatt]

My 10mm from my car set is just under the air box, thanks for reminding me!! LOL.

[@daviderhahon]

@@ChainsGone2012 Well, you didn't lose it. Probably, your wife's new love (the car) took it from you. 😉

[@michaelcoppinger786]

I strongly recommend that you first remove the hoses attached to the air intake tube and then also loosen and remove the tube before trying to remove the air box top. Simply trying to force the airbox top out like show in this video resulted in a torn air intake tube and a broken nipple on the air assist control solenoid valve. Added some significant additional cost to this regular maintenance!

[@randybarrett7441]

Yes! I broke my tube in half by just pushing. Luckily, it is not hard to prevent. There's a great video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIW4ZnSmbqmGbbs

[@Tess_Durberville]

Agreed

[@mrcollie7210]

nice tip.

[@JimmyHuynhdesign]

Everyone! Make sure you reconnect the little extra tube in the rear of the main air intake flow tube (the big black tube). As you lift it up and push it back, the small tube in the rear of it can come loose and you're car will sputter and stall at stop and idle if you dont connect it back. The mechanic that checked my air filter during an oil change missed reconnecting this and so it happened to me. Just got done fiddling with it and found he missed reconnecting it back. All fixed now!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes, sometimes that comes loose when pulling the air filter.

[@rickster1957]

So this must be why my car is starting and running for three seconds and then dying in my driveway. In the morning when I have some light I will check that tube. Thanks for the tip

[@staggolee6963]

You saved me so much time and grief... thank you!

[@benalisonbrown]

Thank you for your quick and easy video! I have tried to change my filter but didn't know what to do after the screws came out... Awesome! Thanks!

[@khanhmai4472]

Thank you! This instruction is so helpful! I did not know that I have to push the cover top until I watch this video.

[@eddiemattison7792]

Or climb in the car, almost to push it up Lol

[@selwaymulkey794]

This video is a good one, but for us seniors who have lost some hand strength, I found that it helped to loosen the battery hold down bracket to make it easier to get the old filter out and the new one in. I also had to use a large screwdriver as a pry bar to ease the lip of filter over away fro edge of fender edge.

[@boogiewoogieadventures308]

Even I managed this without breaking anything, thank you 😎

[@mistrfantastic]

Thanks for this how-to video! I'll try it tomorrow and post a follow up.

[@andrewmyszkowski3518]

Came off JUST LIKE YOU SAID! Thanks for the 8mm notation. One DIFFERENCE: my filter was square, no "cut out". ((for my 2006 EX V6)) No worries at all, just looked at the old one with the word "UP" imprinted at the end closest to the tube and facing, well... UP! All good, Thanks again and again!!!!

[@shon2370]

Thank you!!!!! It did help me save a lot of money! I spent $20.00 opposed to $150.00

[@jeramiemoore1207]

Thank you for this. Extremely easy and saved me so much money!!

[@PeterSilseth]

Did the engineers who designed this motor have to work on it at all? My guess is no. Thanks for the video.

[@shardaigranger9352]

Hello... Just wondering.. before I do this, Do I have to disconnect the battery first?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+shardai granger No you don't.

[@shardaigranger9352]

Thank you

[@Raysandeater]

Japanese people make everything easy to work on

[@Machi74005]

@@Raysandeater They build quality products but ease of repair is not one of the qualities.

[@mrcollie7210]

thanks for the video, i have a 2003 honda accord and had never changed air filter in the past 20 years!

[@danieltku]

Awesome video. The tip on pushing to cover in was big help.

[@jayc3110]

An Excellent concise and clear Video... Thank you.

[@jaysmith6013]

So that’s the trick! Pushing it back. THANKS!

[@greekboydinos]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. your video fantastic, your instructions very clear & i like your style man. thank you

[@Progsv10S]

Many thanks for the instruction. Saved the time and money from having to go the dealership or auto shop for this simple task. I would have not attempted this unless I had your video.

[@mrmacmartinez3290]

Thanks for keeping it simple!!! 👍👍👍

[@Triniece07]

Thanks!! Awesome video. Just changed my own filter.

[@drakezimmerman4054]

Thank you for this! Saved me $50!

[@thebeacondeacon]

The air intake hose must be loosened to avoid damaging it when the air filter housing is pushed towards the center of the engine.

[@Lenalou03]

Michael Eisen how do you do that?

[@songmaster9308]

No it doesn't. the air intake hose has a bellows design that flexes when you push it.

[@johnbaker7556]

My hose wouldn’t flex enough to pry the cover loose. Besides it’s easy to remove and put back the hose

[@andypowcamptek]

@@johnbaker7556 I agree. I learned the hard way. After 14 years the air intake hose hardens and can't flex enough. I ended up buying a new hose since i flexed it too much and damaged it. It's easy to remove the hose if it won't flex.

[@BPoweredLove]

*can, not "must". Don't use absolutes when they're not correct. The hoses are all flexible, by design, to do it exactly as shown in the video. So does it help and is it a good idea? Yes. But MUST you do it? No.

[@16enancy]

This was so helpful!! Thanks!!

[@giovannim3122]

Excellent work--thanks!

[@jagfull]

Very helpful video thanks

[@georgeboatright6635]

thank you. a good explanation. i could not find anything about this in the owner's manual.

[@drslickfloatinginlotus4105]

Thanks, great video!

[@jim2980]

Excellent! Saved me a little money.

[@BratvaTV]

Thanks, bud. Nice and short.

[@woodsprout]

Thanks for the video. I want to add that maybe back in 2014 everybody's air intake hose was still flexible enough to do it this way, but now in 2023 my hose was dry and stiff and bending it this way put a 2 inch split in the hose . . . (on it's underside where you can not see it or easily feel it) . . . so now days I recommend removing the filter cover and hose as one unit. (If you want to save expense and headache) Loosen the clamp at the carburetor and separate it there after loosening filter box cover. PLUS of course, unplug that sensor, remove the other sensor from side and unplug that vacuum hose. Yes it is a big pain, but I found impatience with this one only caused me more problems. After, make a duct tape label stating current mileage, and 30,000 miles recommendation. Don't touch it again till then. This process it too complicated to open it up to find a nearly clean filter.

[@franciscopeirat8395]

Keep doing it like this and you will crack the intake hose, bro. Fortunately, on my Accord 2003, the frame of the car is not bothering the box when it goes up, so no need to "prove" the hose resistance. But great video, mate.

[@sanitary103]

thanks for the video. my 2003 honda is really easy to change but my wife's 2005 accord has the exact same configuration as your video and it was a bit of a pain in the ass. not sure why they made the air filter crammed up against the car. made things harder but doable. just need a little bit of elbow grease and it came off for replacement.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yep!

[@zpower10k]

Thank you!

[@rajkamat76]

Excellent video ! dealer service wanted $79 to do this . a new filter for $15 and 10 minutes later it was done . you do need to put a little shoulder into it to push it back once you lift it up a little bit.(check how the guy in the video grips the large hose )) dont have to be too scared . all the other hoses and cables remain securely attached . just make sure they are still the same way once you re-seat the box .

[@TheTruth4313]

Having the engine bay warm seems to help to soften accordion style air intake to muscle it out of the way.

[@steelermia]

@@TheTruth4313 sounds like a good tip .. I'll definitely drive it around for a bit before doing it

[@jeffprince3576]

Thanks! I was hoping there was a trick to getting the top of the airbox out of the way. Remember when it was just remove the wingnut from the top of the round airbox, take off the top, replace filter, put top back on, tighten wingnut?

[@PeterSilseth]

+Jeff Prince The days of the wing nut...yep, those were the days.

[@KingreX32]

Next time im doing this myself. Thats 60 bucks saved right there. Thanks for this.

[@tropiclush89]

Just watched the video, super helpful. But I wasn't able to do it because my screws are rusted. :( any idea how to remove them?

[@AloneinFiction]

Hey Rj, i did this yesterday but I disconnect the switch on top by the air filter and after I put it back together I got the check engine light. Do you think this is because I didn't disconnect the battery before I disconnect that switch?

[@gabrielmontano203]

Thanks for sharing that sir

[@willmacleod1742]

well done, thanks.

[@thebestever333]

Woooow so all I had to do is push it in! Hahaha I was wondering why it won't come out, because of the curved side beam . Thank you!

[@honestnewsnet]

Do you know where I can buy the screws? When they did oil change never reinstalled the screws.

[@ramblr5900]

@rjthebikeguy I have an 2005 Honda Accord LX 4 cylinder, Everything seems much tighter and harder to replace the engine air filter. I unscrewed the 4 screws it was difficult I had to get long magnetic screw driver and the screw on the far right was at award angle. Secondly. It seems like I have unscrew the sensor clips and unscrew the intake and loosen clamps. Was there an change between 2005 and 2006 models? Also I have an LX 4 cylinder , do certain models are purposely more difficult? It was way harder than unscrewing for screws and replacing. Opinions and thoughts?

[@bstewartexecutivecarcare6953]

You may want to stipulate on which model cars this will work for as mine (2005 EL) and has more sensors and a lot of the tubes are metal that don't bend. Appreciate the video but didn't work out on my car

[@franchyze922]

Thanks!

[@ldr4278]

Thank you.

[@ryansolanics141]

What kind of air filter is it? I want to make sure the one I buy will fit

[@thrivinginlife7806]

Thank you

[@frankbarker1568]

it's easier if you disconnect the air intake hose so it doesn't get damaged.

[@zerodegrekelvin2]

Thanks for video!! It looks so easy when you lift that damn cover!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You have to get it just right. It can be a pain.

[@fingerflapper]

Lol.. That wasn't easy at all

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@fingerflapper Most cars I have worked on are much easier!

[@mattlittlej]

I'm not looking forward to the day when I have to replace my V6 coupe - it's super fun to drive and easy to work on myself. Everything new is such a headache and half the stuff needs to be done at a dealer now.

[@ScreenPrintR]

Perfect

[@RogerTRM]

My car wouldn't idle after the last air filter service. Found that the intake boot had a 3" tear in between the folds of the bellows from trying to flex it just enough to replace the filter element. Had to replace the old hard boot, but to be fair, there were about 145K miles on the car. 05 Accord LX 2.4. One great car otherwise.

[@jasonreviews]

i had to remove the fuse box to get more space. I recommend doing that.

[@288theabe]

This is the most complicated air filter change I've ever owned. Thanks for the video! Also, I'm due for a filter change now anyways, but lately, I've been troubleshooting this loud sound coming from my engine for the past few months. I know it's hard to figure it out through words, but I've eliminated old oil, coolant, and power steering fluid. I'm thinking air filter and transmission fluid needs to be changed (since it's been exactly a year since I got this car, with a "rebuilt" engine..."rebuilt" by monkeys...), but would there by anything else that I'm missing?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+288theabe Sorry, but noises are the devil. Too many things they can be. And I am far from a car expert.

[@monkbaldie]

Broke the edge of the cover while yanking it out. Sounded funny after turning the car on after swapping, sounded too quiet. Turned off the engine, started it again and the engine sounded normal again

[@LilMama017]

Hi,Is the air filter and cabin air filter two seperate things? I need an air filter change when I had myCar looked at but it said it twice. Now I'm wondering what that means especially since you have two videos on it. Also, I have a 2007 Honda Accord--- anything in particular that I might need to know for the differences from your video and my car?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Kari-Samoya Jones Yes, they are separate filters. Did you watch both videos?

[@LilMama017]

+RJ The Bike Guy yes I found your other one after typing my comment. Thank you for the help. Much appreciated!

[@gregorycyr9272]

It is a tight area getting the air filter out on a 2003 Accord.I did it today I believe it takes 5/16.

[@chaselogan2259]

My hose tore, any advice? (2003)

[@betterbecome6373]

take a look at this video may help kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ_bm2lnZ9ecoJI

[@jsblumes]

whats the model number that fits a 2004 accord 4cy? the ones im seeing on amazon dont have the angled edge just a rectangle - thanks.

[@dawicked2k8]

I can give you the link to the one I got from Amazon that I just installed in my 2003 4cy, fits perfect it’s a Spectre filter

[@dawicked2k8]

Spectre Essentials Engine Air Filter: Premium, 50-Percent Longer Life: Fits Select 2003-2008 HONDA/ACURA (Accord, TSX), SPA-2276 www.amazon.com/dp/B08RQPG7G1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QVS43E2020EE7CX7G452?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@oldsouth31]

I have an '03 Accord and I change this one and the cabin one at the same time, but this one is definitely the more challenging of the two. This one needs a little elbow grease and some straining. Still - doing them yourself saves you probably $100.

[@4seeableTV]

oldsouth31 why couldn't they just make the top portion flip up after releasing a couple of clips?

[@alanpachecoosuna3277]

When loosing the screws on my car, three of them broke because of how old they were. Do you know where I could get new screws?

[@itscarlosg233]

It’ll suck if they broke on the air filter box.

[@lilnicko4883]

Does the air filter have to be specific for the year of the car & where did you buy the filter from ?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes. Auto parts store.

[@kathleenspears3952]

I just got two in last week from dooxi.com !

[@JosephLee2012]

I have an Honda Accord 2002. Is it different for my car? Thanks.

[@ajsdfkljasdfisfda98]

I'm sure you figured it out, but cars go by "Generations". 2002-2007 accords are all 7th gen, hence they are the same process. You can find this on wikipedia for your car model

[@ajsdfkljasdfisfda98]

Actually I just found it seems that the 2002 is 6th gen, wiki was wrong on this one. Anyways, look it up

[@Daedalus294]

Anyone know what happens if I do not decide to put back the cover for the engine air filter? Is it less effective if I do not put the cover back? I changed my engine filter to a K&N, and am deciding whether or not I should leave the black box cover on or off...

[@tylergrandy]

+Kamil Faizi I would imagine that the air would enter the vehicle at a highly reduced rate. Just a guess.

[@michaelsorkin8323]

I snapped off the head of one of the screws. Any ideas what I should do?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You can get by with a missing screw or even maybe two. Or you can replace it.

[@wateringcan2]

You can use vice grips to unscrew get the broken screw if there's enough sticking out for them to grab onto.

[@OLOLAK_7777]

Used your teeth and loosen and unscrew it out, u silly nitwit...😂

[@kathleenspears3952]

Have you ever tested whether it's really worth it to purchase a Dooxi air filter?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Not familiar with it, and that is not the point of the video.

[@kathleenspears3952]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you for your time. I just see their advertisement and wanna find something useful from youtube.

[@MeasuredFlat]

This is such a pain the arse to on my '04 Accord EX

[@Sanhiriyan]

What intervals do we need to change please?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

As needed.

[@4seeableTV]

7500 miles is usually a good time to change the filter.

[@eddiemattison7792]

Lol I should have watched at 0:36. I took them out. I agree with Petr Silseth. That was alot of work. :-)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Kind of a pain on this model!

[@aaaaaaaaaa97]

So many complainers that don't understand what a shitty replacement is really like. I feel bad for people with Subaru WRX's replacing spark plugs.....

[@Thuuleon]

I have a 2004 and it helped to remove the battery for extra room.

[@itscarlosg233]

You didn’t need to.

[@CandelaZ]

Warning. Filter cover may break apart pulling over the plastic edge part as plastic filter cover plastic isn’t the sturdiest.

[@kingkanoworldmedia4389]

why did they make it so difficult?

[@luisfortanel9618]

Just make sure you dont overtight the 8mm bolts or they will break !

[@lyn8nn]

the 2006 isn't the same as this. The fat hose to the left is only 3" long and doesn't compress enough to move the cover up. Not physically possible. Not only that, it's attached to the battery clamp wire about 4" from the clamp, so it appears to get a little more room I have to take off one of the battery post clamps. Which means lose all my radio stations, have to reset everything. I believe the stations may have a special prybar that gives mechanical advantage, because bare hands are too thick to move the cover in the much-tighter space.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Lynn H This is a 2006.

[@jogmas12]

Mine is a 2006 and pushing back to get the cover to clear so it can come off takes a lot of effort. I had to disconnect the air duct to relieve the stress caused by pushing it back. My 04 a Accord the cover came off like what was shown in the video. Each car is different it seems.

[@TheTruth4313]

On my '03 V6 I was able to just loosen the four screws and lift the top up and out of the way like in the video. But the video description/title should be updated to specify it's for 4cyl models.

[@Raul-bg9uj]

It sure isn't a great design, but with a little patience and elbow grease, I was able to replace mine just like this video shows. I have a 2004 Accord V6. No removal of air duct hose or rear battery clamp was necessary, just a little elbow grease... (by the way, my filter is rectangular, no cut out like the one shown).

[@eddiemattison7792]

2007. A wrestling match.

[@LandonWay]

i have a coupe and do not see any air filter

[@smileyrod11]

are you useing honda air filter let me know thank

[@rogerthal6938]

I removed the long black plastic piece along side the frame of the car to gain maybe 2 or 3mm of clearance when lifting up the air filter housing. The exposed metal is rather sharp so watch out for your fingers. This long black plastic piece is held in place by two screws and two plastic flares. Remove the screw then squeeze the plastic flare with long nose pliers to take it off the hole. The air filter top cover is fragile, especially its edge, so do not put for the palm of your hand against this edge when you push the top cover forward. Another way to remove the damned cover is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIW4ZnSmbqmGbbs

[@idalencio_flores]

You have not cleaned the filter housing.

[@moviefalcon2]

Thanks RJ! I thought I was doing something wrong! Whoever designed this should be consigned to spending the rest of his or her life changing these air filters! WORST DESIGN EVER!. Also, the oil filter location is totally outrageous! I'm preparing this for my daughter and son-in-law, but will never buy a 2004 Accord 4 cylinder... ever! (compare to the Toyota Camry - mine is a 99 - easy - no problems - well-thought-out).

[@ruffryder13]

Im loving my 2005 accord, but the air filter replacement procedure is the most ridiculous ive ever seen.

[@XtremeKremaTor]

Specify that it is Petrol not diesel.

[@sontana19]

Honda engine compartments are always such a cramp. Why? Make Honda make this type of work.easier than this. I saw another electronic gadget right next to the air filter and that one is just so easy to open up and that is supposed to be more delicate. And they make this non-sensitive engine air filter replacement so damned hard to remove.

[@mrmama456]

What a pain in the ass

[@mikename6614]

wow dude I have never had a filter that dirty ever, you probably lost many MPG's over the course of that time, not smart. I would guess that filter had 75,000 miles on it or 6 years or more before being changed. How about the oil hate to ask, probably as black as night.

[@LivingStone4Christ]

Haha

[@deserteagle347]

Thank you!