air filter change

[shellbug]

Is it easy to change the engine air filter?

[redoodlebug]

Originally Posted by shellbug

Is it easy to change the engine air filter?

I havent actually replaced the filter itself, but I've removed it to insure it was clean. The process to remove it is very simple. The canister lid is held in place with a few screws. Once removed the lid simply lifts off, no need to remove the intake hose because there is enough room to remove the filter and replace it without doing so.

You shouldnt have any problems doing this yourself.

[shellbug]

Thanks!!!!

[Seanele]

Originally Posted by redoodlebug

I havent actually replaced the filter itself, but I've removed it to insure it was clean. The process to remove it is very simple. The canister lid is held in place with a few screws. Once removed the lid simply lifts off, no need to remove the intake hose because there is enough room to remove the filter and replace it without doing so.

You shouldnt have any problems doing this yourself.

today i'm going to replace the air filter on my NB by myself.

now,
one of the oil store near my house said that if we replace ourself, I need to be careful because the engine light might be on after replacing. he said i should go to the dealer for that.

..??
i dunno why he said that..but i'm kinda worry now..

is this true?
for what i know..there's no cable or plug that need to be un- plug or re-plug, or is it??

i'm so used to with GTIs for many years, and not really know much about the Beetle.

[boogety boogety]

I tend not to take the opinion of a lowly oil-change-place hourly worker very seriously when compared to my own good sense and automotive experience. These guys tend to have an expert opinion about everything automotive regardless of facts, just because their shirt has an oval patch with their name on it... quite obviously, such branding doesn't mean they know jack about how your car actually works.

Change the filter yourself, as mentioned above, it's easy... and rest assured, if the above-mentioned goober can do it without setting off a CEL, you can do it too.

[Danbike]

We have a friend who owns an independent auto repair shop right across the street from a J***Y LUBE. He has a new source of income since they opened. He rethreads stripped drain plugs for them, probably 2 to 3 each week.

The best story, some idiot with a vintage Alfa took it to JL for an oil change. Don't know what the guy was thinking, but they never replaced the drain plug. He started the car up and got about 200' when the engine seized. Let's just say that they were not happy when the owner gave them the bill for an engine rebuild.

The last person I'd check for an opinon is one of those guys/gals.

[JuggBug]

Originally Posted by shellbug

Is it easy to change the engine air filter?

I replaced mine ALL BY MYSELF. No BaldyLox help necessary. It was sweaty, but I did it. Replaced it with a K & N Filter too. It rocks.

Originally Posted by Danbike

.....across the street from a J***Y LUBE.

And since when did 'jiffy' become a dirty word on here? lol

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by JuggBug

I replaced mine ALL BY MYSELF. No BaldyLox help necessary. It was sweaty, but I did it. Replaced it with a K & N Filter too. It rocks.

K&N filters are bad news. The oil on them makes the MAF sensor dirty, oily and nasty. Dirty, oily and nasty may be good with a gorgeous woman such as yourself...but not for your MAF. OEM style paper filters are the way to go. Keeps everything clean and shiny.

Also keep in mind folks that the filter (OEM style) must be replaced whenever the airbox is opened up as it will not seal correctly when reused. Something to remember when the oil change monkeys go to open up your airbox like they always do.

Which is why I choose to get dirty and sweaty and lubed-up all by myself. Aura...you can come join me if you want.

[JuggBug]

Meh. 21+ years of driving and owning cars with K & N air filters in a dusty, desert climate says I 100% don't agree with you there.

[Seanele]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

I tend not to take the opinion of a lowly oil-change-place hourly worker very seriously when compared to my own good sense and automotive experience. These guys tend to have an expert opinion about everything automotive regardless of facts, just because their shirt has an oval patch with their name on it... quite obviously, such branding doesn't mean they know jack about how your car actually works.

Change the filter yourself, as mentioned above, it's easy... and rest assured, if the above-mentioned goober can do it without setting off a CEL, you can do it too.

damn it!!..it only took about 5-6 minutes.

i also found out why that mechanic said about the engine light.
it's because they forgot to replug the cable on the side on that big tube, the tube that is going to filter housing.
i kinda left it unplug..and turn on the car, there the engine light is on..

getting the filter ..I went to Ontario VW here is SoCal.
at first i pick the stock filter..but then i saw on the wall next to parts counter..couple of boxes of K&N filters.
I asked the parts dude if they have K&N for my NB.
he said yes.
well..stock filter cost me $24.50, the K&N cost me $55.
guess which one i pick..

he told me that he own '00 NB and he still using the same K&N filter.
now i'm in the market for a bottle of K&N cleaning kit.


next mod,
19inch A8 rims..and remodified rear bumper..


Boogety..thanks!!!

[Seanele]

Originally Posted by JuggBug

I replaced mine ALL BY MYSELF. No BaldyLox help necessary. It was sweaty, but I did it. Replaced it with a K & N Filter too. It rocks.

heloow mechanic lady...
nice job! and thank you for making my face soo red..

[Guerilla Tactics]

Originally Posted by Seanele

damn it!!..it only took about 5-6 minutes.

i also found out why that mechanic said about the engine light.
it's because they forgot to replug the cable on the side on that big tube, the tube that is going to filter housing.
i kinda left it unplug..and turn on the car, there the engine light is on..

getting the filter ..I went to Ontario VW here is SoCal.
at first i pick the stock filter..but then i saw on the wall next to parts counter..couple of boxes of K&N filters.
I asked the parts dude if they have K&N for my NB.
he said yes.
well..stock filter cost me $24.50, the K&N cost me $55.
guess which one i pick..

he told me that he own '00 NB and he still using the same K&N filter.
now i'm in the market for a bottle of K&N cleaning kit.


next mod,
19inch A8 rims..and remodified rear bumper..


Boogety..thanks!!!

I have a K&N filter on my truck. I don't know if they charge you an arm and a leg for their cleaning kit, but if they do, the cheap (and just as effective) way to go is to use Castrol Super Clean or other similar cleaner/degreaser. Just spray down the outside of the filter and then hose it with fresh water. Make sure you hose it from the inside out so you don't drive the dirt further into the filter. Shake off the excess water and let it dry in the sun for a day. I also do the same thing on the AirSep filter that's on the Cat diesel in my lobster boat. Cat sells their overpriced "filter recharging kit", but my mechanic told me about using Super Clean. This method works fine.

[mrchaotica]

Originally Posted by Guerilla Tactics

Just spray down the outside of the filter and then hose it with fresh water. Make sure you hose it from the inside out so you don't drive the dirt further into the filter. Shake off the excess water and let it dry in the sun for a day.

Don't forget that you have to re-oil the K&N filter too.

[shellbug]

I haven't done it yet, every time I open up the hood I chicken out!

[Guerilla Tactics]

Originally Posted by mrchaotica

Don't forget that you have to re-oil the K&N filter too.

I forgot to mention oiling. Thanks for catching that. I typically use WD-40, or similar light spray oil. On my boat's filter, I go as light as possible with the amount of oil because it's in an enclosed space that sees no dirt and very little dust. I go just a little heavier on my truck filter. It doesn't take a whole lot to do the job.

[Guerilla Tactics]

Originally Posted by shellbug

I haven't done it yet, every time I open up the hood I chicken out!

You can do it. I'm not sure about the configuration on yours, but it probably isn't too different than my 2001 1.8L. Just take your time and look things over carefully. I had to disconnect a sensor plug, remove two air lines, and three screws. Took about 15 - 20 minutes from start to finish. It'll probably be a bit tight getting the cover out, but just be patient. If you have a vacuum handy, not a bad idea to clean out the housing after you remove the old filter. Good luck.

[shellbug]

I was about to change it finally today, but got to the garage and the box was sitting on the work bench empty. I went in to ask hubby where the filter was and he said he changed it the other day and that it was easy.

[cep]

I agree with Dzlbug on the K&N filters.

They offer no filtering advantage over an OEM paper filter. They were created to flow more air than an OEM filter but at the expense of filtering efficiency. True, they can be reused, creating a small savings there, but in the end their reduced filtering effieciency may cost you far more than you ever saved on air filter elements.

If you want more power, they are the way to go. If you want engine longevity, the OEM paper is a better choice.

[french bug]

Hi there!

i just wanted to give you my opinion about K N filtering.

i've installed one into my airbox for about a year and a half now, and i've noticed a positive change.
little increase of "breathing fresh air"
noise slightly changed, hard to notice for unexperienced ears, but if you pay close attention, especially on engine 2.0 liters or more, you can hear it

the KN air filter is still clean after 17/18 months of driving, so approximately 20.000 kilometers, no cleaning needed yet and of course, no need to replace it buying a paper model.

about the filtration: no worries mate! really no need to worry since the filtration is at least as good as OEM models, thanks to their very specific material/design + specific oil.

if you don't trust me about filtration being AT LEAST as good as with OEM models, you should go have a look at their web site, they have very good explanations and tests showing the difference very clearly etc... etc...

so no problem at all with oil , if you dont get it too greasy

and no problem at all with filtration, since i'm trying it myself + other people's experience driving 300.000 km with it or more..... + KN laboratory tests very well done and explicit.

i hope this will help some people make the right choice, and some others change their mind about KN filters. lol i'm not working for them, i just really appreciate the difference.

thanks for reading!

[cep]

Originally Posted by french bug

Hi there!

i just wanted to give you my opinion about K N filtering.

i've installed one into my airbox for about a year and a half now, and i've noticed a positive change.
little increase of "breathing fresh air"
noise slightly changed, hard to notice for unexperienced ears, but if you pay close attention, especially on engine 2.0 liters or more, you can hear it

the KN air filter is still clean after 17/18 months of driving, so approximately 20.000 kilometers, no cleaning needed yet and of course, no need to replace it buying a paper model.

At 16,000 miles, virtually no filter would be close to needing replacement unless you were operating in a really dusty environment. That being said, think about it: A 'clean' filter is a sure sign it isn't doing it's job! If that filter is actually still 'clean', you don't have enough oil on it. The dirt that you're not seeing on the filter? It went through your engine.

about the filtration: no worries mate! really no need to worry since the filtration is at least as good as OEM models, thanks to their very specific material/design + specific oil.

Sorry, but have to disagree. K&N boasts that their filters are in the 97% initial efficient range; a pleated paper filter starts out at something like 99.5% That may not sound like much difference but it is huge...the K&N will never filter as well as a good pleated paper filter. Nor should it; that isn't what it was designed to do! K&N designs their filters to maximize airflow. The only trouble is, like most things, something's got to be traded off to obtain that. In this case, it's filtering efficiency.

if you don't trust me about filtration being AT LEAST as good as with OEM models, you should go have a look at their web site, they have very good explanations and tests showing the difference very clearly etc... etc...

But don't stop there; go look at Donaldson, Fleetguard or Baldwin's sites, too. See how their filters compare. Also do a search on K&N vs pleated paper. There is a lot of info out there.

so no problem at all with oil , if you dont get it too greasy

Or let it get too dry. If you do, there goes any filtering at all, for all practical purposes. It will keep small animals and big insects out but that's about all. The K&N needs just the right amount of oil...too much and you risk your MAF...too little, and you get lousy filtration. The pleated paper filter needs nothing from you. Put it in and forget it; change it per the manual.

and no problem at all with filtration, since i'm trying it myself + other people's experience driving 300.000 km with it or more..... + KN laboratory tests very well done and explicit.
i hope this will help some people make the right choice, and some others change their mind about KN filters. lol i'm not working for them, i just really appreciate the difference.

thanks for reading!

Unless you need the absolute maximum amount of air to enter your engine, such as in a dusty racing application, the K&N is a 'solution' to a non-existent problem. If racing is your thing, then you want max horsepower. The amount of air entering your engine is what limits the amount of horsepower and engine can produce. So to obtain max horsepower, you need max airflow. That is what the K&N does. In street applications, most people will profit more from max durability than max horsepower, though. That is where the pleated paper filter, with its superior, fool-proof filtering, excels.

Not trying to pick a fight or anything; just trying to share my experience and I've had quite a bit with air filters, much of it gained the hard way. For those who didn't want to read the whole thing, to sum up:

If you want to go fast, make horsepower--get the K&N.
If you want long engine life--stick with pleated paper.