2004–2008 Acura TSX
By Ray Delgado ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 2026
Save $75 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $110
Quick answer: Engine Air Filter Replacement on a 2004–2008 Acura TSX is rated Easy and takes about 10–15 minutes. You'll need 2 tools for this job, and parts cost about $35. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine air filter for 2004-2008 Acura TSX; verify engine, housing shape, and VIN fitment | — | $35.00 |
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
Hood up on a cold engine. The airbox is a roughly 5-by-12-inch black rectangle, midway down the bay — follow the intake hose back from the throttle body. Same layout on every 2004–2008 K24A2 TSX.
Loosen the four Phillips screws until each spins freely. Don’t back them all the way out — captive in the lid, they can’t roll into the engine bay. Use a screwdriver that fills the head so screws don’t chew out.
Wiggle the intake tube straight off the airbox. If heat has bonded it on, slip a flathead gently under the rubber cuff and work it around the circumference — never lever in one spot, or the rubber tears.
Lift the airbox lid clear, keeping it level around the crowded rubber hoses. The MAF lives in the intake tube you just freed, not in the box — never touch the delicate element; contamination causes rough running and lean codes.
Pull the old filter out, noting pleat direction and how the gasket sits in the tray. Hold it up to daylight: no light through the pleats means it was overdue — throttle response will sharpen with a fresh one.
In my experience, That daylight test is the fastest filter verdict there is — hold any panel filter up to the sun. If light won’t pass through the pleats, no amount of tapping it out will fix it. Replace it.
Fish leaves or grit out of the bottom of the box, wipe with a damp cloth — debris hides under the filter’s footprint. Drop the new filter in, gasket flat, pleats matching the old one.
Set the lid on; run the four corner screws down evenly, alternating corners. Reseat the intake tube: rubber tab into the airbox notch, or the joint whistles under load. Close the hood, start up, confirm a smooth idle.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
2004–2008
2004–2008
2004–2008
2004–2008
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