We all change our air filter at least once a year hopefully, re-fitting the air filter cover can sometime be troublesome and can take an age and be frustrating, this is due to a couple of issues one being alignment making sure the groove on the air filter cover fits onto the air filter case properly.
The most likely cause though will be the leading back edge of the air filter cover they get damaged as you will see from the photo's below, hopefully these will explain and help in the future when you/we have to fit the air filter cover back after service.
The AFC remove note there are three top front fixing points Fig 1
1
There are two rear fixing points one at the rear left as in Fig 2
2
The other at the rear right corner in Fig 3
3
All the fixings are Allen key captive bolts 5mm Fig 4
4
When re-fitting make sure you have the filter in the right was with the round lug facing down in the case, the cover then will line up with the point shown here in Fig 5
5
Next check that the left leading rear edge of the cover is not damaged as here in Fig 6
6
Most likely it will be either from a former owner or garage mechanic trying to force it on and damaging the edge, if this is the case open the damaged edge with some long nosed pliers as here in Fig 7
7
Once you have opened the damaged edge I would then cut the damaged part off as I have here Fig 8
8
With the damaged leading edge cut and dressed it will help the fitting in future go a lot easier hopefully Fig 9
9
Offer the cover back to the case making sure the cover grooves run over the edge of the case, lower the back on first Fig 10
10
Once you have the cover seated down and in the grooves first nip up the left hand Allen key do not tighten fully down at this time just get the thread started Fig 11
11
Next nip up the right hand corner Allen key bolt again do not fully tighten up as you will need to align the three front ones and maybe jiggle the cover around the oil filer neck Fig 12
12
Once you have the front ones aligned and in place nip those up, you will not have the filer cap on at this point Fig 13
13
You can now tighten the rear ones fully followed by the front ones the cover should now fit properly. Fig 14
14
Good luck and I hope this post will help members in the future Arctic.
Disclaimer:
You are responsible for any work or modifications carried out on your car and you undertake any such work at your own risk.
The 75 and ZT Owners Club nor the original author of this How-To can be held liable for anything that may happen as a result
of you following this How-To.