Abstract: An engine air cleaner housing has a snap latch closure that secures the housing cover on the housing base. To form the snap latch closure, the base has a depending retaining wall, a pair of lateral projections at opposite ends of the retaining wall, and a cross bar interconnecting the lateral projections. The retaining wall, lateral projections and cross bar define a rectangular opening which receives a U-shaped tongue extending from the cover. The tongue includes a firm leg depending adjacent the retaining wall, a flexing leg adjacent the cross bar, a cam surface formed on the flexing leg and engaging the cross bar to deflect the flexing leg as the tongue is received in the opening, and a barb that snaps into engagement with the cross bar after the tongue is fully received in the opening. Engagement of the barb with the cross bar serves to retain the tongue in the opening.