David Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 Just finished changing my air filter and as there are no DIY's anywhere for my model thought i would do one myself. Our engines differ from all the other DIY's I've seen for the air filter so thought i would post this. Hope it helps. 1. Remove the cover with the BMW badge on it. See pic 1 2. Remove the top cover. See pic 2 3. Remove the two hex bolts holing the filter housing. See pic 3 4. Unscrew the jubilee clip and pull back the pipe. See pic 4 5. Pull the small pipe off the housing. See pic 5 6. Remove the MAF sensor plug by pushing in the two lugs and pulling. See pic 6. 7. Loosen the jubilee clip and remove the pipe. See pic 7 8. Remove all screws holding on the lid. At this time you can see the filter but can not remove it yet. See pic 8 9. Remove the two hex nuts holding on the MAF sensor. Pull the sensor away from the housing. See pic 9 10. The air filter can now be removed and replaced. 11. This could be a good time to clean the MAF with the proper cleaner. 12. Replace in the reverse order. Easy ashandger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 Good guide David. Lots of photos, just what we need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corelem Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 man, this is great !!! a have a bmw e46 compact from 12/2004 and i didn't know how to do the job!!! million thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duffman Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 excellent post lad theworkerbee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moumtzisa Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Excellent job mate. Many thanks for your help. Tasos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJD Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Got to do this job over the next week or so - thanks for this, very useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Thats what we like to see, a good DIY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJD Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Doing my car too - just waiting for my new filter to turn up. I am collect the one for the 318i tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dondino Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 I don't understand well the step 4.. about the jubilee clip... do you have a better pic where I can see it? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judgee Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Great guide very helpful thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art108 Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 dUDE ! Thanks :-) You're the man. This makes it soooooo much easier. many blessings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judgee Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Just did this this afternoon. So glad you mentioned removing the MAF first otherwise I'd be tugging away at the old filter all day. I came back to check this when it wouldn't come out so you saved me a lot of time and effort thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest madheadman Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 What реу small hole in bottom of air filter box ? is it just some kind of drain hole or what ? can someone explain pls WalterCoge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miggy Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Thanks for this guide! Been meaning to do this but there was no DIY for the N42. Thanks a lot! What реу small hole in bottom of air filter box ? is it just some kind of drain hole or what ? can someone explain pls The small hole at the bottom is of the filter box is probably a drain. I was wondering what it was for but I don't remember pulling anything out of it so I left it alone. Just don't forget to reattach the small hose beside the MAF sensor you removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest madheadman Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 The small hole at the bottom is of the filter box is probably a drain. I was wondering what it was for but I don't remember pulling anything out of it so I left it alone. Just don't forget to reattach the small hose beside the MAF sensor you removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrimja Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Cheers for this DIY. Bought the new air filter today. Why did they make it so complicated on the 4 pots! Both myself and the GSF man were confused as to why it was a round filter and not a flat one lol. Hopefully I can get this done tomorrow (weather permitting!). Hopefully someone can answer this for me, what's best to clean the MAF with? Also, if I'm not having any problems with it, is it best to just leave it alone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrimja Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Just finished doing this. What a TOTAL PITA! Getting the pipe off (step 4) was a total ball ache! Think I have made 2 small puncture marks in the pipe. Going to wait and see if any issues occur because of it. I'm glad that's over and done with for a long while! Not sure if you're still about David, if you are, thanks a lot mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted April 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2010 lad this DIY has come in handy for so many people. Makes it worthwhile doing it. WalterCoge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michalko82 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 lad this DIY has come in handy for so many people. Makes it worthwhile doing it. Thanks a lot mate, this DIY is a gem will save a lot of wrinkles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganicru Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Thanks to this DIY. Am from the Philippines. Successfully did it myself. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mintie Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Thanks David I have just driven about 1000klm through locust plague swarms. The little critters were easy enough to brush and gently hose out of the radiator as I went but I was worried about ingress to the air filter box. I tried to work out how to access the filter while on the road but as I was pressed for time did not succeed...I will now. Cheers Mintie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just4u Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Thanks a million for this DIY post and thanks BMW for a great design Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckie Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Good write up.....pleased you did it as I would have been getting worried that I was having to dismantle too many components just to get to the air filter......but no.....that's the only way to access it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
