Air filter — cleaning and replacement (VW Golf 1)

The air sucked into the engine contains dust and dirt particles that should not get into the combustion chambers, as they act on the cylinder walls as an abrasive. This would cause premature wear of the pistons and cylinder working surfaces. In addition, some of the dust burns at high temperatures in the engine and settles in the combustion chamber and on the valves as a deposit. As a result, the operation of the valves and pistons is disrupted. Therefore, the air filter creates the necessary protection for the engine. At the same time, it also muffles the noise from the air intake.

Cleaning the air filter

We recommend blowing out the paper filter insert every 15,000 km. If the car drives on extremely dusty roads, the filter should be cleaned daily.

Remove the filter element.

Shake out the filter to remove large particles of dirt.

To remove fine dust, blow compressed air through the insert from the side, along the filter plates. Do not direct the compressed air stream directly at the filter paper! Otherwise, dust particles will stick tightly to the filter pores and clog it.

Wipe the filter housing with a clean cloth.

Replacing the filter element

Under normal driving conditions, it is sufficient to change the filter element every 30,000 km. If the vehicle is driven mainly on dirt roads, despite frequent filter cleaning, it is necessary to think about replacement earlier. Read the next section about how to replace the filter element.

Replacing the air filter element

Turbo diesel engine remove the hose leading to the supercharger near the filter housing.

For all engines: Disconnect 1 clamps at air cleaner cover.

Remove the air filter cover and take out the filter element.

Filter elements

The following are suitable for the described suction diesel models:

• VAG N 113 129 076
• Bosch 1 157 129 076
• Knecht AG 51/1
• Mann S 3171
• Purolator RM 11 19

For vehicles with turbodiesel engine:

• VAG N 069 129 620
• Knecht AG 194
• Mann S 34 109
• Purolator PC 257

Note: Do not be surprised if the engine power in the mountains weakens a little. This is a common phenomenon, since at an altitude of 2000 m and more above sea level, the air is very thin. And a diesel engine, as you know, functions with excess air. Of course, the engine experiences a shortage of air, and this manifests itself earlier than in a carburetor engine.

Air filter housing for suction diesel engine: 1 - air filter housing; 2 - holes for draining oil, which is sucked in through the engine crankcase ventilation system; 3 - filter element; 4 - tie brackets

This is what the filter housing of a turbodiesel engine looks like: 1 - filter element; 2 - upper part of the body; 3-4 - two clamping brackets (there are four of them in total).