Acura CL 3.0 - Airbox Issues

If the filter isn't sealing completely you'll suck up debris. Over time that will mess up sensors in your intake manifold and wear out your valves.

Are these the screws that "sandwich" the filter between the upper and lower filter housing?

>>17526507
Lol I can see why /o/ would give you a ride from your post. Anyway you can just get a new filter box or even replace it with a different air filtration system. If you go with an aftermarket air filter system make sure you properly heat shield it. Dunno how long he was running it without a filter (or did he leave the filter on but just take out the bottom? that wouldn't be as bad, but still fucking dumb) but like >>17526579 said, debris will get into your engine, dirty the mass airflow sensor, and trigger the check engine light at first and at worst get into the engine damaging valves, head gasket, the block and cylinders themselves are probably sturdy enough for anything that would've been sucked through. Make sure the check engine light wasn't disabled or anything, I would imagine it would've been flagged pretty quick from either dirt or temperature. Overall gas mileage may be hurt in the long run. The V-tec system is just a variable cam system that alters the timing so it wouldn't be affected, it's independent of the air path unlike by systems. Misunderstanding v tec is one of /o/s triggers.

>>17526507
Technically speak hed gain maybe +3 hp
At best from that.
Your air filter housing is relatively easy to find and buy for 80$ or less. I had to cut to botom housing out because the filter was stuck in there from screws not turning against the bolt in the housing. Bolt spun with screw, chiseled it out got a new housing for 40$. Btw take off the o2 sensor when you get it out. You need it for the new housing.

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>>17526755
>>17526632
>>17526579

Thanks a lot guys.

It passed emissions when I got it but I just it made the gayest whistling noise you ever heard.

Check engine light works fine, it actually just came on for dirty (EGM?) ports so I'm having a master mechanic friend do what a Acura forum said and clean them out by boring them a bit.

I had a buddy take a look and he saw that he cut had cut out the bottom but left the air filter in place.

>>17526579

Yeah they're the screws that sandwich the two in place and 'seal' the upper/lower housing.

The weirdest thing is that I live in Phoenix, AZ; a dusty ass fucking state but the air filter I got last year still looks BRAND FUCKING NEW. Like right out of the box new, not a speck of dirt on it; that doesn't seem possible to me.

I drove up to Flagstaff and hit 120 MPH just to test her out and no problems at all; she has plenty of zip but the gas mileage is kinda shitty.

I like the car, she's a bit old and new parts are expensive (especially the brakes and rack and pinion) but the engine is super clean and she's fast when I want her to be.

Anyways, thanks guys.

>>17526863
Definitely sounds like it's not sealing and those screws are probably why. It has to be clamped tight or it will just suck air through the gaps instead of the filter.