Dodge Grand
Caravan Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the Pentastar 3.6L
V6 engine air filter element in a 5th generation 2011-2014 Dodge Grand Caravan.
 2013 Grand Caravan 3.6L |
 Flip Up Metal Latch |
 Metal Latch Released |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the revised or "refreshed" 5th generation or "Generation V" (2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Dodge Grand Caravan in
cleaning or changing the engine air filter element in the Pentastar
3.6 liter V6 motor. Owners of other Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM vehicles equipped with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine such as the Avenger, Journey, Town & Country, Routan, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Charger, Challenger and RAM 1500 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA11050, K&N 33-2462, Wix 49737, Ecogard XA6165, Mahle LX3158, Hastings AF1490, Beck Arnley 042-1856 and Pentius PAB11050. No tools are needed to replace the filter. A wet / dry shop vacuum can be useful for cleaning the air box and/or the OEM filter. |
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 Flip Down Right Side Latch |
 Release Third Metal Latch |
 Lift Off Top Half Air Box |
| The first two steps
are to open the hood and then move to the left (passenger) side of the
engine bay. The top cover of the air box is held in place by three metal latches. There is one on the left (passenger) side, one on the right (driver) side and the third is near the front corner. Flip the bottom ring of the latch up to release it and then swing the top of the fastener away from the air box cover. |
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 Old Engine Filter Visible |
 Pull Out Old Filter |
 Inspect Both Sides |
| Lift the top half
of the air box straight off the bottom half to access the old engine air
filter. Pull the old air filter out of the bottom half of the box. |
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 Dirt & Debris In Pleats |
 Clean With Vacuum |
 Clean Out Bottom Half Air |
| Inspect both sides
of the old filter.
If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any dust with a vacuum. If the old filter is dark grey or black and the pleats on the underside are clogged with dirt, dust, insects, leaves, twigs, pollen and hair, it should be replaced with a new element. I'd recommend buying the Fram CA11050 filter since it has the best reviews on Amazon. Or you can choose the re-usable K&N 33-2462 filter if you don't washing and re-oiling it every 50,000 miles or so. If your vacuum has a crevice attachment, clean out any sand or other debris in the bottom half of the air box. |
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 Install New Air Filter |
 Insert Tabs In Slots |
 Lower Top Half In Place |
| Install the new
filter in to the lower half of the air box with the pleats facing down and
the metal screen mesh facing up towards you. Lower the top cover of the air box back in place. |
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 Flip Down Metal Latches |
 2nd Metal Latch |
 Secure 3rd Metal Latch |
| Flip up the metal
latches until the hooks are over the top half of the air box. Snap down the outer metal ring to secure the three latches. Make sure that the two halves of the air box are flush together with no part of the filter's rubber gasket visible. For more, check out my other
Dodge Grand Caravan DIY Maintenance Guides. |
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