How to add a Cabin Filter to your Beetle if it doesn't have one

[LowHawk]

Hey everyone! I just joined the group here and saw that some people were wondering about cabin filters, or lack thereof, and figured I'd post my fix. It's actually fairly simple and doesn't require too much cash. I recently purchased a used 2007 Beetle and like many was surprised when I opened up my dash and found a permanent mesh filter where the cabin filter should go. As I had already purchased the filter itself and my wife has bad allergies I figured I'd see about getting the parts and putting one in myself. I won't go into the how to of getting into the spot where the filter goes as I've read some very informative threads about it already so I'll just give the low down on what you need. Note that this is not an aftermarket mod with oddball parts, but the same ones VW put in, or used to put in before they got cheap about it I suppose. There is no cutting, splicing or drilling required so you just need to open up the dash like you probably already know how to do (this is the biggest pain in the whole operation really). I don't work for VW and I'm not a certified mechanic so attempt this at your own risk. I'll apologize in advance for the less than stellar iPhone pics, but I wanted to include some basic images of the items we're talking about.

What you'll need:

1. cabin filter housing (part # 1J0-819-648-A)
2. cabin filter frame (PART # 1C1-819-640-A-01C)
3. cabin filter (part # 454-2051)

I ordered the housing and frame online from a VW dealer that discounted the list prices. If you search for VW or Volkswagen parts you'll find plenty that sell OEM parts. The part numbers I listed above should be accurate as it is on my order form and were also on the VW labels attached to the bags the parts were shipped in. The housing listed for $45.30 and the frame listed for $11.50. The net price I paid was $27.97 and $7.10 for a total (plus $10.00 S&H) was $45.07. Not too bad really. The filter you can pretty much get anywhere. I got a Denso brand with the charcoal impregnated in it from Advance Auto Parts. It wasn't in stock, but they shipped it out quick to my house for free so you can't beat that. The filter was $21.77 with tax. So I got the whole thing done for about $67 bucks which I think is less that what a dealer would charge just to change a filter out.

What to do:

1. Remove dash panels and get to filter location

2. Use socket wrench with small extension to remove the plastic nuts that hold the permanent filter cover on (I believe it is 9 or 10mm). You may need a little force to pry it up and away as the foam-type gasket on the bottom seems to like to stick. One note is be careful not to let anything fall into the now exposed opening.

3. Use shop vac or other vacuum to remove any leaves or other loose debris in the area.

4. Install filter housing in the same spot that the previous one was in and reattach the bolts (I found this to be the easiest part).

5. Install the new filter into your new filter frame. The Denso one I bought came with a nice little instruction sheet, but it's not difficult. Make sure you get the air flow going the right way (down) and the end slots of the filter slip into the plastic tabs at the two sides of the frame.

6. install the filter frame with filter into the housing. I found this to be the biggest PIA as you have to try to keep the filter in the frame while managing to slip the frame into the housing. Twice I had to restart as the one side of the filter began slipping out, but eventually I got it into the housing where the frame has tabs to slide into one side (towards engine) and then got the other side to lock into the two tabs on the cabin side of the housing.

7. Replace all the dash panels and covers and you're al set. New cabin filter.

Enjoy you're much better smelling A/C! Thanks for checking this thread out.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Now all that's needed is a monitor to advise when it's clogged!

M.

[LowHawk]

Yeah, I'm guessing this'll be a once a year job judging by the amount of leaves and other junk that was packed in their. For the cost of this stuff I really can't believe VW didn't install this in the factory though.

[VDubYah]

They used to come from the factory with them. Guess some bean counter found out they could save a few pesos and pesto you get a screen. Found mine in wifes 08 when I went to clean out the underdash area. Thanks for the part numbers. More things to buy. How come the list always seems to get longer intead of shorter

[Duffy]

My 09 NBC didn't have one either. Bought the two plastic parts from a slavage yard for $10.00. This is an easy mod.

[LowHawk]

I had thought about trying to find them at a U pull it lot, but I didn't have one close enough to be worth the drive and effort. I had also seen the parts used on fleabay, but they were overpriced. For a mod like this we're actualy pretty lucky it's as easy to do as it it. On most cars if you didn't have one of these installed at the factory you'd be SOL.

[Smileybug]

I think they removed the filter on the '06+ cars from what I can tell. Just changed out my filter a few weeks ago in my '99. I did both the air and cabin filter about 2-3 years ago and the cabin filter was actually way dirtier than the air filter in the engine compartment!