Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Air filter retainer clips - how important?

I searched the forums for this, so sorry if it's already covered. The damn clips that hold the air filter housing together keep disappearing. Now I'm down to one. Can they be a factor for CEL 0420 and 1137 codes? The housing looks clean inside so the filter is doing its job. And if the clips are necessary, what's the easiest way to get replacements?

P1137 Lack of downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S 12) switch, sensor indicates lean (Bank #1)

P0420 Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (Bank #1)

Doubtful that the missing clips are causing an O2 sensor problem unless the IAT is sending bad info causing the P420.
My guess is your O2 might be done. Cheapest fix reset the computer and see if it comes back.

The clips are there for a reason and you should replace them. Easiest way is if your close to an auto wrecker go pick some up.
The clips on my car look similar to alot of other cars so you should be able to get them anywhere. Just take the last one with you and match it up.

The clips holding the airbox cover to the tray are important to help the air filter seal the airbox, otherwise it is possible to pull in unfiltered air into the engine (dust, etc.). It is possible to affect the MAFS reading also. Best to replace the clips, but at least they are common with most other late model Ford products, so they should be easy to come by (at least the style on my CSVT).