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Ford Explorer Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the engine air filter element in a 5th generation 2011 to 2015 Ford Explorer with the 3.5L V6 motor.

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2014 Explorer Air Box
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Two Metal Latches On Left
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Pull Off Metal Latches
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth generation (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Ford Explorer SUV in cleaning or changing the engine air filter element for the Duratec 35 3.5L V6 motor.

Owners of other Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with a Cyclone V6 series engine such as the Edge, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Mustang, F-150, MKX, MKZ, MKS and MKT may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers are as follows: Motorcraft FA1884, Fram CA10242, Wix 46935, ACDelco A3155C, Purolator A25699, Hastings AF1331, Pentius PAB10242, Mann MA 1195, AEM 28-20395, Valvoline VA-224, Mahle LX 3079 and Champion CAP10242.

No tools are needed to replace the filter.

A wet/dry shop vacuum can be useful for cleaning the OEM filter.



 
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Flip Down Second Latch
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Pull Top Left & Up
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Remove Old Filter
The engine air box is located at the front right side of the engine bay behind the driver side headlight and in front of the 12V automotive battery.

The top half of the air box is held in place to the lower half by two metal latches on the left side.

Flip the two latches away from the top half of the air box to release them and allow them to swing down towards the lower half.

Slide the top half of the air box to the left to disengage the three plastic tabs on the right side from their slots.

Lift the top half of the air box off the lower half and pull out the old filter.

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Inspect Both Sides
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Underside of Old Filter
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Clean With Vacuum
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 clogged with dirt, dust, insects, leaves, twigs, pollen and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying either the Ford OEM Motorcraft FA1884 filter or the Fram CA10242 filter since they both have excellent reviews on Amazon.

If you'd prefer to have a re-usable filter, choose the K&N 33-2395 filter which will need to be washed and re-oiled every 50,000 miles.



 

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Clean Bottom Half Air Box
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Install New Air Filter
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Insert Tabs In Slots
Remove any sand or other debris from the bottom half of the air box with a vacuum.

Install the new filter in to the lower half of the air box with the pleats facing down and the rubber gasket facing up towards you.

Slide the three plastic slots on the right side of the top half in to the slots on the lower half of the air box.

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Flip Up Metal Latches
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Secure 2nd Metal Latch
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Air Box Re-Assembled
Swing the two metal latches on the left side of the air box up and over the top half to secure it in place.

Make sure that the two halves of the air box are flush together all the way around with no part of the filter visible.

For more, check out my other Ford Explorer DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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