E53 3.0d Air Filter Replacement

[ttr]

Eh Up all,

Having finished the ATF change my next task is the air filter.

I am surprised ( like everyone else i guess) at how involved changing the filter is compared to all the other cars i have owned.

Anyway, have read up and looked on You Tube about How To and it looks doable just time consuming.

Couple of questions:-

Has anyone any tips ?
Do you have to remove the washer bottle - some say yes some no
How tricky is the back left cap screw to get at in reality - it looks a PIA
Removing the air filter shroud - can you do this as some say AFTER taking the air filter out as its easier ?

Any tips greatly appreciated.

Cheers all

[marti]

Yes it is a pita!!!....

Ive always just undone the washer bottle and moved it to one side, but you do have to remove the two pumps at the bottom..easy just twist and pull..

Take top part of the filter cover off then the rest...I use one of those bendy spring like extensions to remove the rear hex bolt...its still a pita but easier than just using an hex key...you still have to fight to get the rubber end of the filter in and properly fitted, make sure the rubber doesn't fold in on its self....feel all the way around to check..

[ttr]

Marti

Just great ...........

Been reading thread from circa 2011 on here to get further insight.

ive had the scuttle out before so no real issues there
Had the washer out in the summer so well versed on that (if i need to i'm hoping not to as ive read you can pull out the scuttle completely and then the "firewall"and the shroud that protects the wiper motor to get access to that back hex screw ????)

Ive no bendy kit but loads of UJ couplings on my extension bars - hope i can make do.

read about the filter fitting being a git - will watch that - might try a squirt of silicone on the filter seal, but be careful if its near the MAFF sensor.


Appreciate the feedback - it really helps the more research I do the less guess work needed.

All inputs gratefully received.

Cheers:)

[X5-D-Sport]

To make it as easy as possible, also remove the plastic bulkhead infront of the pollen filter.
There is a 13mm nut on the Right side almost behind the washer bottle & also the nut on the jump point on the opp side.
Remove the rubber strip across the plastic bulkhead, remove the panel covering the pollen filter - held on with srpung clips - try not to let these ping off which allows the springs to bugger off...

Pull out the pollen filter too & put safe - remember which way up it is, other wise all the crud on it may end up blown inside the car if refitted the wrong way up.

Now pull the bulkhead plastic panel up & towards you....

The air filter top cover also has an allen bolt on the rear left corner out of sight.... so if the cover is not free with a gentle wiggle, then you missed a bolt...

The rest is pretty simple.

[ttr]

X5 d sport Salisbury

Cheers for that can follow what your saying, makes perfect sense on what I’ve read.

Good to know about pollen filter will keep an eye on that.

Looks like I’ll be loosing skin on the knuckles again with this job and using choice yorkshire dialect !!!!!

Cheers

[Alan Gunn]

[quote="ttr"]
X5 d sport Salisbury

Cheers for that can follow what your saying, makes perfect sense on what I’ve read.

Good to know about pollen filter will keep an eye on that.

Looks like I’ll be loosing skin on the knuckles again with this job and using choice yorkshire dialect !!!!!

Cheers
[/quote]
This will help then.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Germolene-Skin ... astic+skin

[ttr]

Alan,

Eh up - nah not BUYING anything - its against the Yorkshire Religion too expensive, just rub some superglue on its cheaper. )

Cheers

[spartacus]

Get a little stepladder. I kid you not. This is me changing it my brother's X5 last winter. Been working on cars for years and never had to climb into the engine bay before! ::)

[ttr]

Eh up all,

Well fitted the air filter on Saturday and took a  few pictures ( see below)

Thanks to all the threads on here it went well, i was expecting it to be a real PITA but to be fair i found it easy enough.

Mines a  face lift 55 plate, a few pointers i found were as follows:-

No need to remove the windscreen bottle, i left it in place and had no issues accessing bolts or removing the filter.

A must is to take out the pollen filter housing compleltley, for the sake of 5 minutes it gives you loads of access.

Once you get to the filter and get that damn screw out of the back left corner its still a bit of a struggle but easy enough the filter housing needs rotating to the right and ease up and out. It does come but requires more force than i thought it would but "jiggle" it and it pops out!!!!!!!!!!.

Stuff a clean rag in the oil filler neck once you remove the cap to take the air filter housing off - saves ow't dropping in the damn thing whilst you fight the hosing off.

Work logically and keep all bits to one side
 
Attached area few photos, my filter was DIRTY so glad i elected to have it changed, also needed to hoover out the debris underneath.

Also took the time to spruce up the engine bay - photos below.

Thanks again to everyone for their tips, hope the pointers above help someone out

[Alan Gunn]

If you are passing can you do mine for me please the kettle is always on lol.
And we all know what you meant to say " clean rag in the oil filler neck".
Thanks for the info and pic's.

[ttr]

Eh up Alan

If id have know i would have dropped by on my way back  - was down in Abersoch a couple of days last week !!!!!!!!!!!!

Could have practiced on yours first  ) ) ) )

You know you want to do it really.......

Hope the pics help you out.

[Alan Gunn]

[quote="ttr"]
Eh up Alan

If id have know i would have dropped by on my way back  - was down in Abersoch a couple of days last week !!!!!!!!!!!!

Could have practiced on yours first  ) ) ) )

You know you want to do it really.......

Hope the pics help you out.
[/quote]
Due to my disability i have to pay for that sort of job.
Only job i can do is the oil and filter as i use a oil extractor for that.
A long time m8 has a garage so i get m8's rates (i used to be in the job myself) plus i get all my own parts so cuts down on costs.
But any time you are about on Anglesey call in for a cuppa.