[TiAg335i]

Im currently having a hell of a time reinstalling this stock air box (to the point where my hands are bleeding). I can't seem to get the two hose inlets into the box, they just won't reach enough so that I can clamp them down. Any advice/suggestions?

[joec500]

hmmm it's pretty straighforward install...did you make sure you loosened the clamps enough so you can stretch the hoses on the plastic inlets on the stock airbox.

[07335]

Let me save you one hell of a headache. Put the stock airbox back on after the a short drive when the hoses are warmed up. They'll slide right into place you won't believe it. Good luck.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by 07335

Let me save you one hell of a headache. Put the stock airbox back on after the a short drive when the hoses are warmed up. They'll slide right into place you won't believe it. Good luck.

You may be right. Considering it's approximately 20 degrees in my garage the tubes are probably too rigid. Because I was pushing and pulling and there was no way they were moving onto those inlets.

BTW I have a dealer appt on Monday. I'm hoping that if I still can't get them on they won't give me a hassle for the DCI's I have on!!!

[alextremo]

I used a heat gun (THANK YOU to whoever posted that tip originally) and they went on no problem - I even managed to get it done with a broken thumb

[n3985]

Hair dryer + extension cord = ghetto heat gun lol...should be enough to warm and loosen the clamps.

[Kit523]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Im currently having a hell of a time reinstalling this stock air box (to the point where my hands are bleeding). I can't seem to get the two hose inlets into the box, they just won't reach enough so that I can clamp them down. Any advice/suggestions?

this is what happen to me too
taking off the intake box is easy but reinstalling is hard= =
took me 1 hr to actually put the hose in LOL
but all i did is force it in!
lol...next time i will try the heat gun idea!

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by alextremo

I used a heat gun (THANK YOU to whoever posted that tip originally) and they went on no problem - I even managed to get it done with a broken thumb

Originally Posted by n3985

Hair dryer + extension cord = ghetto heat gun lol...should be enough to warm and loosen the clamps.

Learned something new today. Thanks for the tip guys! I will eventually go to service for an oil change. This will definitely come in handy!

[Mr. 5]

There's been posts on this in the past.
Use a heat gun or hair dryer.

[YvesD]

Originally Posted by n3985

Hair dryer + extension cord = ghetto heat gun lol...should be enough to warm and loosen the clamps.

Worked for me too.

Missus wasnt impressed though !

Yves

[Dan335i]

If your going in for just an oil change you can leave the stock box off.Thats what i did with no problems.If you really want to play safe then go ahead and re install it.

[TiAg335i]

Thanks guys. I will give the hairdryer a shot. E90post to the rescue.

[darkphantom]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Thanks guys. I will give the hairdryer a shot. E90post to the rescue.

same, I need to do this, didn't realize I should take her out for a good long drive and then take the DCI's off...of my friend's car that is...

[Ghost170]

Looks like you had after market intakes. The plastic intake tubes shrunk a little bit to conform to the intake. I used soap and pushed it back in. However heating it up with blow dryer sounds like a good idea too.

[Terrance28]

I had a hell of a time installing my stock intake myself. I fought with that thing for over an hour until I gave up, it seems like the freaking things are too short. Thats why I haven't bought another intake because i'm scared to take the stock one back off. I guess I will try the hair blower theory.

[Tuned335i]

Originally Posted by danniexi

I will eventually go to service for an oil change. This will definitely come in handy!

Please don't do this! There's a lot to be learned about your car (and a lot of money to be saved) by doing your own oil changes, even the free ones! Think it about this way - it will only cost you $70 or so to do an oil change. The dealer's going to charge you way more and every trip to the dealer is a potential problem if you're modded.

My philosophy is to avoid the dealer unless absolutely necessary - I'm pre-29.2 and loving it!!!

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by Terrance28

I had a hell of a time installing my stock intake myself. I fought with that thing for over an hour until I gave up, it seems like the freaking things are too short. Thats why I haven't bought another intake because i'm scared to take the stock one back off. I guess I will try the hair blower theory.

Yeah...the hose couplings seem an inch too short. I tried pulling those damn things with all my strength and they wouldn't budge onto the inlet. I was practically standing on top of the car trying to pull them on and no go. They are just too short. I gave up and reinstalled my DCI's...gonna try again tomorrow after heating them up.

[continentalg5]

This heating of the hose idea sounds intriguing.

I remember when I was removing my JB2 and my intake I thought to myself "I'll take out the JB first because it's harder and I'll get it out of the way."

WRONG!

That damn stock airbox to me forever to reinstall, and I still think I didn't install them 100% correct.

[lpphreakx06]

Update? Did you get it on?

[Ghost170]

The length of the intake hose should be fine, just make sure the intake box sits correctly in it's mounting position. If you are using aftermarket intakes, the heat from the engine may have shrunk the plastic intake hose and conformed to the slightly smaller intake tubes. I had the same problem with bms dual intake, I used soap and used force to pry them on. It took a bit of patience, but eventually worked. However heating up the tube and softening it can help too. To prevent my intake tubes from shinking again, I used duct tape and taped around the bms intake tubes to the same size as the stock intake. Hopefully when I put my stock intake back on, I won't run into this trouble again!

[TiAg335i]

OK im trying to put it on right now. But I'm still stuck on the hose coupling nearest to the drivers compartment (the one in the back). Is there a way to remove that cowl above the tube that stretches the whole engine bay so I can have better access?

BTW i got the first one on fine. Driving the car before seems to have helped so far.

[Kit523]

Originally Posted by Terrance28

I had a hell of a time installing my stock intake myself. I fought with that thing for over an hour until I gave up, it seems like the freaking things are too short. Thats why I haven't bought another intake because i'm scared to take the stock one back off. I guess I will try the hair blower theory.

hahaha +1 that is why i sold my AFE after installing back the stock air box
LOL