Air Filter Change - Really Easy

[MarkTM]

I ordered a replacement air filter off Fleabay for £5 inc delivery and it was a perfect fit, it's made by AP who I believe make a lot of OEM filters

Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro OE Genuine AIR Filter Service Car TF19477 | eBay

Was amazed when I took the old one off how dirty it was! But then perhaps am a perfectionist in that I also cleaned out the airbox and washed all plastic bits possible....it turned a clean 2 gallon sinkful of water so dark I couldn't see the bottom The grill before the MAF was also quite dirty so cleaned that up with a damp clean rag!

I know the filter only costs £24.46 from Audi, however at almost a fifth the price you can change them more often, so if it filters only half as well it's still a no brainer! However looking at the filter it seems to be exactly the same quality/colour/build as the one stamped with 4 x rings.

Now I may be a little sceptical but according to the service record the filter on the right was replaced 12k miles ago and I'm thinking it looks more like 20k miles?


A6AirFilters1.jpg

Not driven it too much but certainly seems to breath more easily

Took 20 mins and would have taken 5 less but took me that long to figure out the 'drop then clip @ the top' bit of the filter housing .

[zollaf]

an air filter is an air filter, it filters the huge amount of air the engine breathes. years ago one would be changed at 6k. the oil can now last longer, but the filter still filters air, which is no cleaner today than 20 years ago, so how the filter life expectancy can be extended i just don't know.

[MarkTM]

Zollaf, I've read many independant reviews that would disagree with your 'filter is a filter' comment. In fact so called 'performance' filters have been known to let a lot more crud through, in the case of oiled filters there are many reports of fouling and damage to sensitive MAFS.

Even some pleated paper filters are worse than others with cheap ones known to degrade and cause damage.

[S66MJETDI]

I rather think the filter is a filter comment was in relation to their mode of operation..... i.e holes smaller than dust allow air to flow, but once blocked by said dust the air doesn't therefore how can they extend the service life?

[MarkTM]

It may be my imagination but acceleration seems much better, took it for a spin and 30-60 with new filter in 'D' feels the same as it used to in 'S'

Natch can't wait to try in S

[zollaf]

yes, i mean a filter is a filter, there is no better filter for air than an air filter and when full of muck it won't flow as much air, so its good to change it, more often than not.
in fact, i have just changed mine today after 8k miles.

[bloostar]

I'd recommend the cabin filters as well. Takes an hour or 2 depending on how supple you are in the passenger footwell, however mine had 20k miles worth of wasps, flies, pollution and a mars bar wrapper (don't even eat them!). Really disgusting, I'm pretty **** about keeping on top of things like that too!

[MarkTM]

Bloo, you read my mind!!

Next thing on my list and similarly cheap to buy:

Cabin / Pollen Filter Service Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro Saloon 4F2 [2004-2011] | eBay

Am pretty supple and also slim and a short@**** so have spent many a good (?) few hours upside down with my head in a footwell

[Guest 2]

few hours upside down with my head in a footwell

bringing back flashbacks when i fitted footwell lights to my a3

[bloostar]

You'll need 2 of hem apparently. I realised I only had one,so back to the footwell tomorrow! I'll be annoyed if it's just th one in there however it's on good authority there are two tucked in theresomewhere!