air filter for a 1.4

[RayJ]

Hi there,
I wana put an aftermarket filter on my 1.4 and really wana see a pic of someones and how they did theres...

My airfilter/engine cover have broken clips and vibrates and makes my car sound broken so i wana take that off...
thanks

[Lomo]

I'm after the exact same thing I serviced our 2003 1.4L today for the first time and had a bitch of a time getting the engine cover off and then undoing ALL those screws just to get to the air filter. Worst design I've ever seen. Anyway am keen on getting rid of the cover and installing an aftermarket air filter/box to make servicing quicker. I've noticed that once you take the oil filler extension neck off, the oil filler cap just screws into the rocker cover which is good.

Do aftermarket filters have a PCV hose inlet? or I'd have to fashion something in between the throttle body and air filter?

Pics, suppliers and prices would be appreciated. Thanks

[RayJ]

I think im gona just make something up... Silicone pipe off the TB and then a pipe with a 90degree bend and then gona have to make a inlet pipe for the hose and then have the filter with a bracket. Will post pics when im done with mine.
Cheers

[Lomo]

Looks like K&N have a filter replacement kit, although I haven't found a price yet. It looks like the filter can mount directly onto the TB and with the PCV inlet elbows etc included in the kit.

57-0406 - K&N 57i Series Kits, Performance Intake Kit

You can search for a filter kit by your year/engine here:
K&N Products by Vehicle Search - Year, Make, Model, Engine Search

I wonder if some sort of older car's round metal/plastic air cleaner container would fit over the TB The types that took the round air filters. Then run a long cold air intake tube into that. I might try some wreckers before the next service is up.

When did VW start using the engine cover? Maybe previous Polo models used a simple set up that'd fit over the current TB?

[Buller_Scott]

hey guys, got any pics of your engine bays?

are you both going for pod-style set ups? or simply looking for aftermarket drop in panel filters?

there's a bunch of stuff you can do with the stock setup, that isnt too costly at all....

[Lomo]

Personally I'm just looking for an easy way to service the car, easy to get to the air filter and spark plugs. So I guess a pod filter would be the way to go, unless I find a better (easy access) enclosure for the same/different drop in panel which would be a cheaper ongoing cost I assume?? I measured the TB this alvo and it's 50mm at its outer diameter. It would also be great to use the cold air intake while I'm at it if anyone has any ideas.

RayJ, does your engine look the same as mine?

[RayJ]

yip its pretty much exactly like that Lomo... I have branches on my polo and i want to make a heat shield for it so i can get as cold air as possible to my air filter... is that heat shield you got there just infront of the engine?

[Lomo]

The cover over the exhaust is a heat collector used for cold starts. I was quiet surprised to see it there myself as I thought it was only used on carburated engines to help atomise the fuel mixture and prevent it from condensating along the inlet manifold. With injectors the fuel path is so short that I didn't think you'd need one of these at all, propably incorporated for the -50C syberian market Anyway it looks like there's a flap in the engine cover which grabs air from either the exhaust heat collector or from an opening near the cold air intake, not sure if it's a bi-metal or wax pallet mechanism.

Best way to get cold air would be to grab it from outside and then into a closed enclosure airbox as it gets very hot under the bonnet... or even better would be to grab it inside the cabin... can't beat that crisp air con air in summer Our subaru grabs air from from under the front wheel arch via a hole in teh engine bay which is a good solution.

[Greg Roles]

The thinner VTDA modshack or similar thin fully enclosed cannister filter, and use 50mm silicon fittings and 50mm alloy pipe off e-bay. Just make sure you seal it to the outside air, as even the smallest gap near the inlet vent allows hot air ingress, sealing the front of mine made a noticable response difference. Is the MAF in this section?

[Lomo]

Thanks Greg, that filter assembly looks great, although a bit on the pricey side... will check ebay out.

The MAF must be located under the throttle plate as its definatelly not in the engine cover assembly. From what I can see there's an electrical connector about 8cm under the throttle plate which is probably the MAF. I've never seen this sort of setup and am wondering how accurate the measurement is seeing the MAF is located in turbulent and not laminar flow?? Anyone know what kind of a sensor these engines use to measure the mass air flow?