Changing the air filter on a VW is an epic event

[VeeDubb]

So I am in the process of replacing my cam follower in my Passat and figured I'd check the air filter while I have the engine cover off. Turns out, the filter is in the engine cover hidden behind 8 screws and a bunch of latches that require jigsaw puzzle skills to solve. When I finally get in there, I discover that the filter is dirty even though I just had major maintenance done where they were suppose to replace the filter. I guess when it is this much of a PITA to replace, it's not worth their time to do it.

I wonder how many VWs are running around with dirty filters because mechanics just decided it wasn't worth their time to replace it. And only very dedicated owners would bother to check. I would say it is only marginally less difficult than replacing my cam follower under my high pressure fuel pump.

 

[sasilverbullet]

What type/year is it?

 

[VeeDubb]

2007 Passat with the 2.0T FSI engine.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
So I am in the process of replacing my cam follower in my Passat and figured I'd check the air filter while I have the engine cover off. Turns out, the filter is in the engine cover hidden behind 8 screws and a bunch of latches that require jigsaw puzzle skills to solve. When I finally get in there, I discover that the filter is dirty even though I just had major maintenance done where they were suppose to replace the filter. I guess when it is this much of a PITA to replace, it's not worth their time to do it.

I wonder how many VWs are running around with dirty filters because mechanics just decided it wasn't worth their time to replace it. And only very dedicated owners would bother to check. I would say it is only marginally less difficult than replacing my cam follower under my high pressure fuel pump.

You just had major maintenance done but now you are changing your own cam follower?

Where was the service done? The VW dealer or an independent shop?

Surely you are going back or calling them to let them know you want a refund for the cost of the labor and part they never installed? Right?

 

[Bud_One]

Wow.. that is a PITA.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2547554

 

[DerbyDave]

I had a 2007 HHR with the 2.4 Ecotec that was just like what you describe. The engine was great all except for that brain dead filter setup

 

[Eddie]

Check your reciept and if they charged to change the filteer, take the used one back to show the dealiership MANAGER. eD

 

[KGMtech]

Well the filter is pretty darn big...I hope the owners manual states a very long change interval?

 

[VeeDubb]

Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
So I am in the process of replacing my cam follower in my Passat and figured I'd check the air filter while I have the engine cover off. Turns out, the filter is in the engine cover hidden behind 8 screws and a bunch of latches that require jigsaw puzzle skills to solve. When I finally get in there, I discover that the filter is dirty even though I just had major maintenance done where they were suppose to replace the filter. I guess when it is this much of a PITA to replace, it's not worth their time to do it.

I wonder how many VWs are running around with dirty filters because mechanics just decided it wasn't worth their time to replace it. And only very dedicated owners would bother to check. I would say it is only marginally less difficult than replacing my cam follower under my high pressure fuel pump.



You just had major maintenance done but now you are changing your own cam follower?

Where was the service done? The VW dealer or an independent shop?

Surely you are going back or calling them to let them know you want a refund for the cost of the labor and part they never installed? Right?

I don't have a lift and I hate changing fluids....I know weird for a guy on an oil forum but it's true. Don't like the mess or dumping old oil or crawling under a car.

It was done at an indy Euro car VW specialist. Yeah, one with a great reputation too

They did not list the air filter on the receipt though it clearly should have been done according to the owners manual. They probably did the math on the labor time versus the odds that a customer would notice.

 

[VeeDubb]

Originally Posted By: Bud_One
Wow.. that is a PITA.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2547554


And that was with the engine cover off. So that is only 50% of the job. Taking the engine cover off is an adventure in itself. You have to remove a bunch of hoses and clips and then pull as hard you you can to pop the cover off of the rubber snap on mounts.......and hope the cover doesn't crack. It's not at all intuitive and I almost gave up.

 

[VeeDubb]

Originally Posted By: KGMtech
Well the filter is pretty darn big...I hope the owners manual states a very long change interval?


Every 20K

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
Originally Posted By: KGMtech
Well the filter is pretty darn big...I hope the owners manual states a very long change interval?

Every 20K

Yours is a good candidate for a pre-filter. Use a couple discarded pantyhose on the pre-runner tube to the filter box, clean/replace the pantyhose once a year. This pre-filter will extend the life of the actual filter to 50-60k miles or more.

 

[KGMtech]

Every 20K ???

My 2004 Passat 1.8T air filter is approximately 60% of the size what your car has, and the VW manual states 48,000 km replacement interval - for urban driving.

Seems a waste IMHO.

 

[wemay]

Try a K&N drop-in. At least 50,000 miles without worrying about changing. Although i know most folks here hate them, they are not "rock catchers" and filter just fine...if not as efficiently as a good paper filter.

 

[Egg_Head]

My niece has a Fiat 500. Offered to give her an oil and air filter change. Both were a PITA, particularly the air filter. Large loss of knuckle skin in the process.

 

[skyactiv]

There are some Mann air filters for VW's that have a pre-filter.

My GTI is pretty easy. The air filter has a large surface area. My owners manual says change it every 60K. I replaced mine much earlier and it was a waste. Mine looked like replacing it at 60K would be ideal as VW recommends.

 

[Scum_Frog]

Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
2007 Passat with the 2.0T FSI engine.


Same engine in my 07 Jetta 2.0T and I agree major PITA to access the air filter.
With that said I have it on a bi-annual replacement schedule.

 

[SeaJay]

Impressive engineering to manufacture a setup like that. Those engineers must be very proud of themselves.

 

[adolan21]

That's how my 2.0 TSI is. Most of my cars had the air box lid on by a few clips. The GTI had about 8 screws and to get to it easily, I had to remove one of the pipes. Seems surprising for them to do it like that since oil changes are so easy with the filter on top. Oh well, it's a once every 30K mile change for me.

 

[dlundblad]

It took me a little over an hour to replace the air filter in my dads 2004 A4. Now that I somewhat know what I am doing, I am betting i can cut it down to 20 minutes if that.

Thankfully, it is a decently large filter though.