DIY Washing of E90 CKD 320i Air Filter "Sleeve"

[astroboy]

I suspect nothing was done to my air filter during my 1st BSRI service last week at the SC. At 24k km I figured the OEM air filter is pretty clogged up because if its K&N, it would be pretty dirty at 20k km. Since our air filter element is covered/protected by a synthetic wool sleeve, it's washing time! Refer here for instruction to open the AF box:http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18090"Prying" open the air filter box after removing the several T-20 screws:

Separated the sleeve from the element:

Dip the sleeve into a bucket of water premix with dish cleaning detergent:

Moving the sleeve in and out of the soap water repeatedly for several minutes and this is what u get:

After cleaning, it dries pretty fast because the synthetic wool repels water:

Slot it back to the filter element and kao tim!

Now, expecting my all time FC meter to drop from 11.5L/100km to below 11 region.. A new discovery while doing this DIY:I got this Air Filter buffer box removed by unscrewing T-15 screws marked with the red cross in the photo.

Flipping it over I noticed the interesting rips and air tunnel EXCEPT the huge green question mark:

Check out the inlet in this close up:

When in position, pay attention to the right inlet:

You see what I see?

 

[viewfinder]

...
Flipping it over I noticed the interesting rips and air tunnel EXCEPT the huge green question mark:

...
You see what I see?

There seems to be a small tunnel vertically aligned in the picture, connecting the main air tunnel to that little green box.

I've noticed some unknown air compartments in e34 and e46 air filter chamber also. I suppose they are there to eliminate noise? Some engineering and probably lots of computer simulations are involved just for the air entering/exiting the air filter chamber.

Good DIY sharing... keep it up:top:

 

[XXX]

You see what I see?

I see an opportunity to blackmail you from getting your warranty void...:wink:

 

[E46Fanatic]

Is the sleeve supposed to be charcoal/carbon activated? Looks all white now after the cleaning.

 

[astroboy]

Charcoal/carbon activated is to remove odor la. That's the cabin filter.

It is all white to begin with, seen it before.. as shown this following photo which was taken 3 months after purchase the car.

A member drop by after seeing my posting with his 2006 E90 320i all the way from Ampang, the following is his sleeve, the are even leafs inside..

I see an opportunity to blackmail you from getting your warranty void...:wink:

Noooo.... don't report me...! I promise I give u my vote in the coming election, hope HR don't mind..

 

[racheltoh]

oh..can i send my car to u?
2 tsingtao for u...k?

 

[E46Fanatic]

Ic. I always thought the sleeve is a carbon filter meant to absorb hydrocarbons when the engine is turned off. Anyway not sure but the US spec E90's have this additional piece besides the normal filter element as well. Some guys are removing theirs. Here's a DIY on how to remove it on an M5

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60-m5-e61-m5-touring-discussion/66688-charcoal-filter-removal-step-step-w-pictures.html


Toyotas also have them..

 

[Schwepps]

Interesting. I never knew there were carbon filters in air filter assemblies! BTW, I thought air filters come factory pre-oiled too. If you clean them, do you have to re-oil?

 

[astroboy]

Interesting. I never knew there were carbon filters in air filter assemblies! BTW, I thought air filters come factory pre-oiled too. If you clean them, do you have to re-oil?

I see no oil wor... unlike my K&N drop in for my Toyota mini MPV.. that one I put 2T oil after clean..

In the M5 provided by the above link is actually the filter element, its just replacing the element with a conventional element.

Replaced with this:

This is taken from my car 3 months after purchase.. the sleeve may appear dark but that's just the contrast in the photo. There's no dark charcoal grain in side.

Our E90 320i element is also yellow color ma. So no additional element, just synthetic fabric sleeve:

oh..can i send my car to u?
2 tsingtao for u...k?

Love to but I am not sure 325i got the sleeve or not. I only know 325i air filter element is different in size and even the air filter box layout is different, which I have no clue about and have not seen before. U dare to let me undress ka?! I mean your car..

... and my hands no warranty one... so be warned!

 

[oligokoko]

good DIY project frm astroboy. kudos. i happen 2 have an extra air filter unit tht is shown by astroboy. 2 all of u who prefer 2 replace than cleaning, pm me aight. up 4 grabs now. hehe

p/s : sorry astroboy cuz i kacau ur link here. nway, this is a really3 interesting way 2 show ur DIY. really impress with ur explaination n pics.

 

[astroboy]

good DIY project frm astroboy. kudos. ..., this is a really3 interesting way 2 show ur DIY. really impress with ur explaination n pics.

There is a DIY thread in the paid member's lounge which is created specifically for the benefits of the paid members by few seniors but those who know me well enough, I can't guarantee to renew my membership forever.. after which, I might be denied to go into my own DIY threads for updates.. so I decided to share my DIYs here, away from the executive lounge, with all forumers be it paid or non paid fellas..

I don't think "they" will ban me for sharing DIY with non members.. haha..

Glad you all enjoy my thread... but for those who can financially afford it, please support our club a bit.. lots of efforts put in behind the scene and need funding to organise many of the outings. So far, I find every sen paid for the membership subscription is well worth it, just from the goody bags alone.. :wink:

 

[racheltoh]

AB: r u saying u r risking ur warranty?????

 

[astroboy]

AB: r u saying u r risking ur warranty?????

Well, if I broke a screw or crack a cover or even after putting everything back, car won't start maybe I damaged certain sensor during the process, its quite difficult to justify to SC its manufacturer defect right?!

If washing the air filter is risking voiding warranty, then washing my car is subjected to the same risk..

 

[astroboy]

I received the following PM from a forumer from Wellington but I can't reply due to the following message:

"agoodkeenman has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her."

Thanks for your guidance re opening the air filter box on a 320i. i am having trouble working out how to unplug the air sensor socket after lifting the rubber plug.

Could you please describe how to unplug.

regards

agoodkeenman

The socket is similar to the following:

You will notice 2 stubs at the side. U have to press both side of the plugs to un-hook the stubs in order to pull out.

I will try to take some close up photos on the actual thing when opportunity arises. Car not with me now... :listen:

Rgds,

Astroboy

 

[etquah]

There seems to be a small tunnel vertically aligned in the picture, connecting the main air tunnel to that little green box.

I've noticed some unknown air compartments in e34 and e46 air filter chamber also. I suppose they are there to eliminate noise? Some engineering and probably lots of computer simulations are involved just for the air entering/exiting the air filter chamber.

Good DIY sharing... keep it up:top:

Need special equipment to open unscrew the T-5 screw ??

 

[astroboy]

Need special equipment to open unscrew the T-5 screw ??

T-5 screw driver lor..

 

[etquah]

T-5 screw driver lor..

where to buy from ? is it in our emergency kit. I never checked.

 

[enkil]

Nice DIY..

Cheers

 

[astroboy]

Nope... our kit very limited stuff.. tyre not need to buka, car no need to jack..

Buy a set of Torx wrench la. Take a look at your engine bay, 90% of the screws there are Torx screw of various size.

Get something with lobang inside one, because some of the Torx screw has a middle pillar, so need the lobang to cucuk into the batang..

The set I'm having now is my 2nd set. First set was stolen in the SC..

My current set is like this:
http://www.lelong.com.my/Auc/List/2...cs-Tamper-Proof-Torx-Key-Wrench-Set-66096.htm

 

[astroboy]

Update:

This is where our E90 Air Mass Meter connector socket is located.

Close up, I highlighted the stub where the connector will fastern on.

This is the connector, check out the fasterner hook at both side.

Press here.

This is how the hook spread open..