Ford Flex Engine Air Filter
Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the engine air
filter element for the Duratec 35 3.5L V6 in a 2009 to 2019 Ford Flex SUV.
 2019 Flex Air Filter Box |
 Two Latches - Left Side |
 Flip Down Rear Latch |
| This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first
generation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 &
2019) Ford Flex crossover SUV in cleaning or changing the engine air filter
element for the Duratec 35 3.5 liter V6 motor. Owners of other Ford or Lincoln vehicle such as the Explorer, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, C-Max, Mustang, Taurus, EcoSport, Escape, Edge, Expedition, Transit Connect, F-150, Ranger, MKZ, MKC, Navigator, MKX and Continental may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA10242, Motorcraft FA1884, K&N 33-2395, PotAuto MAP 6021, Wix 46935, Ford 7T4Z-9601-A and Purolator A25699. No tools are required to access and change the filter. |
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 Pull Off Front Latch |
 Two Latches Released |
 Slide Tabs Out of Slots |
| The first two steps
are to open the hood and then move to the front right area of the engine bay
(closest to the driver side headlight assembly). The engine air box is located just in front of the 12V automotive battery and behind the driver side headlight housing. Locate the two metal latches on the left side of the air box. (Also known as "clasps" or "clips".) Pull the two latches off the top half of the air box and swing them out towards the left side of the engine bay. They are hinged and will remain attached to the bottom half of the air box. Slide the air box cover to the left to remove the three tabs on the right side from their slots in the bottom half of the box. |
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 Air Box Cover Removed |
 Pull Out Old Air Filter |
 Old Air Filter Removed |
| Carefully lift the
air box cover to access the old filter. Pull the old filter straight out of the bottom half of the air box. |
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 Inspect Both Sides |
 Clean With Vacuum |
 Clean Out Bottom Air Box |
| Inspect both sides
of the old filter. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, soot, pollen, sand, hair, insects, twigs, leaves and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the Fram CA10242 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. If you have a wet/dry shop vacuum, clean out any sand or debris from the bottom half of the air box. |
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 Install New Air Filter |
 Tabs & Slots On Right |
 Snap On Front Latch |
| Lower the new
filter into the bottom half of the air box. The pleats should be facing down and the rubber gasket should be pointing up towards you. Lower the cover down into place. Slide the three tabs on the right side of the cover into their corresponding slots on the bottom half of the air box. Push down the left side of the cover. Swing up the two metal latches. |
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 Secure Left Rear Latch |
 Two Halves Secured |
 Engine Air Filter Replaced |
| Pop the two latches
back into place over the air box cover. Double check that the two halves of the air box are flush together with no parts of the filter visible. Be sure to record the filter change in your vehicle's service records. If you drive in dusty or sandy areas, it would be best to clean or change your air filter more frequently. The standard service interval specification for changing the engine air filter is 30,000 miles according to the owner's manual. Please
check out all of my
Ford Flex DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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