1997–2001 Honda Prelude
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 1997–2001 Honda Prelude is rated Easy and takes about 15-20 minutes. You'll need 1 tool 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 1997-2001 Honda Prelude; 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
Park on level ground, let the engine cool completely, and open the hood. Give the engine time to cool before you start — Honda's own procedure warns that the coolant lines inside the air cleaner housing may be warm, and you'll be reaching into it.
Pull straight up on the head of each pin and it slides out of its hole — no twisting, no prying. With the pins out, lift the air intake cover off and set it aside face-up so you don't grind dirt into its sealing surface.
I make sure the lid gasket isn't twisted. A twisted gasket leaks — I run my finger around it. I don't overtighten airbox screws. Stripped plastic bosses mean a new airbox.
Loosen all four with a Phillips-head screwdriver until they're fully free — they may stay captive in the cover, which is fine. Keep track of the screwdriver angle; the bolts thread into plastic and strip easily if you lean on them at an angle.
One of the bolts has a small retaining clip around it — pop the clip off the bolt first, then lift the air cleaner housing cover away. Touch-test the coolant lines inside the housing before grabbing anything blindly, since Honda warns they may be warm even after the engine has sat. Set the cover aside with the bolt side up so the captive bolts don't fall out and disappear into the bay.
Lift the old filter element out of the housing and drop the new one in exactly the way the old one sat — the Prelude's element only seats square one way. Check the housing for leaves or mouse nesting while it's open.
Set the housing cover back down square on the housing, then reinstall the clip on the bolt — and this is the detail that trips people up: make sure the clip goes UNDER the washer, not on top of it.
Set the air intake cover back on top and push both pins down through their holes until they're fully seated. Start the engine and listen: the H22 should idle smoothly with no whistle or rushing-air sound around the housing and no check-engine light.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
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1997–2001
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