air filter housing trouble

[JB]

Is there a trick to getting the housing around the air filter back on?
I have an 03 Forester and I know the back part of the housing fits into
the front. Problem is, I can only get either the top or bottom part of
the rear housing seated, not both. I lift the bottom of the back
housing so it can seat in the front part, but then the top is just
'even' with the front part instead of fitting in it.

Please help the stupid,
JB

 

[y_p_w]

Is there a trick to getting the housing around the air filter back on?
I have an 03 Forester and I know the back part of the housing fits into
the front. Problem is, I can only get either the top or bottom part of
the rear housing seated, not both. I lift the bottom of the back
housing so it can seat in the front part, but then the top is just
'even' with the front part instead of fitting in it.

I don't know if it's the same as my '04 WRX, but I suspect it's
similar. I usually need to push the top into the notches with
the filter slightly out of position. Then I push the filter in
and close the filter box.

 

[JB]

I figured it out. Do not buy Fram air filters. I ended up cutting 1/4"
of rubber all around the filter to get the housing to close. Direct
replacement my @$$, I just ordered a K&N from crutchfield.

 

[y_p_w]

I figured it out. Do not buy Fram air filters. I ended up cutting 1/4"
of rubber all around the filter to get the housing to close. Direct
replacement my @$$, I just ordered a K&N from crutchfield.

I cut myself once on a Fram filter because the wire mesh pushed right
through the foam.

There are varying opinions about K&N. First of all, even K&N
says they don't filter as effectively as paper. Second -
overoiling could cause contamination of the mass airflow sensor.
I've oiled one, and it's not always easy to get the reoiling just
right such that there are missing spots without overoiling.

I got several Subaru OEM oil filters from 1stSubaruParts.com for
under $11 each. They're the lightly oiled paper type, as was the
factor filter installed in Japan.