E36/5 Microfliters

[1996 328ti]

Additional information at
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/interior/e36_replace_your_microfilter.html

WARNING: Do NOT buy the ebay filters as they do not have the small ledges that allow the filters to snap in and lock into place!

Additional Note: the "air baffle" (thin, breakable plastic piece seen below) is part number: 64 11 8 369 186 FOIL

http://lh6.google.com/emasshardt/R4BgDsIzAAI/AAAAAAAABaI/o8UtfxSOi7Y/s800/AirBaffle.jpg

====================================================
Originally contributed by Brian Brown

I replaced the microfilters on my ti this evening. I didn't recall seeing the procedure for the ti described on the net before, so here goes:

The microfilters help clean the air coming into the car's passenger compartment.

The 318ti (E36/5) has a different procedure for changing the microfilters than the other E36 cars. Instead of gaining access through the passenger compartment, the filters on the ti are accessed under the hood.

The good news: The ti's microfilters are probably easier to replace than the other E36's.

The bad news: Because the ti uses two filters, it's more expensive (I paid about $40 for two).

Microfilter BMW part#: 64 11 8 363 274 (two required).

Tools required: #2 Phillips screwdriver. 7mm nutdriver.

Procedure:

Open the hood.

There is a mesh grill near the base of the windshield. Press on the three locking tabs and pull the grill up.

Remove the two Phillips screws that are now exposed. These hold a plastic wire channel assembly that is under the air intake. Pull forward on the wire channel assembly to free it up.

The large cover that these two screws passed through is called the air collector.

On the drivers side of the air collector is a 7mm hex head screw going into the firewall. Remove it.

On the passenger side of the air collector are two more 7mm screws to be removed. These are kind of hidden behind a bellows coming out of the end of the wire channel. I found it easier to get a nutdriver on the upper screw by removing the battery cover.

The air collector now should be removed. This is the one part that's kind of tricky. It's a tight fit and a bit of a puzzle. By pulling the wire channel forward and moving the air collector from side to side while tipping it, the air collector will come out.

Now visible is a thin plastic air baffle. Pull up a couple inches on the ends of the two hood gasket strips so this baffle can be removed.

The service manual says to remove the two microfilters, frames and all. I found it easier to leave the frames in place.

The microfilters will pull out by lifting at their edges.

I was surprised by how much dirt had been trapped in mine. It helped convince me that these serve a useful purpose.

Installation is basically the reverse of removal. Pay attention to the following points:

When installing the new filters into their frames, run your finger along the entire edge of the filter to make sure that it's fully seated.

When replacing the thin plastic air baffle, make sure the top lip wraps around the edge of the sheet metal.

When replacing the air collector, sneak and wiggle it in like when taking it out. The lower and driver's side edge of the air collector fit into a grove. Start at the driver's side and work around. Start all three of the screws before tightening. Make sure that nothing is getting pinched behind.

Make sure that the back edge of the wire channel engages with the tabs on the air collector before replacing the two screws.

When replacing the intake mesh grill, guide the rubber gasket over the front lip of the grill.

***************

This job is fairly simple, but it does require some pretty good manual dexterity.

I think it beats paying the dealer to do it.

[pcmedics911]

Thank you for posting this.

I did this myself and when I pulled out the original microfilters what a joke. They were as black as the night.

Also, I did look at the haynes manual and it was not listed in there on how to remove these.

Thank you again.

[buckowens]

I replaced my micro filters the other day. Whoever designed that system was either making work for the dealers, or crazy! Not the hardest thing I have ever done, but dexterity and a good magnetic pickup are a must. It took me about 45 minutes. The replacement instructions in the 318ti Notebook were exceptionally helpful.

I am attaching a photograph showing my old filters, and the new ones in place. I thought it might help someone to actually see where they are located prior to taking on the task.

[kinguz]

Done mine today. Took about 20 Minutes. The instructions were very handy - would never have known they were there! Well hidden and need very nimble fingers!

[pmd3]

I changed mine.
No fun. Perhaps an hour but finding them is the biggest problem.
It would be a lot easier the second time around.

I also did a spark plug change. Very easy if you know how. Highly suggest using a piece of vac hose to r&r the plugs. If you don't know what I mean, better ask. Replaced air filter. Went nuts trying to open the air box until I found that last clip in the back.
Put on a Supersprint muffler. Very good move and not difficult. Find a lift first before you try it.
pmd3

[3DGE]

Its real tuff to get the air collector out, i did it whohoo.:biggrin:

[tastade]

Should only take 20 minutes or so to change these. Some helpful pointers. When you loosen the screws holding the wire harness, let the wire harness drop down a little, this will help keep the screws from falling inside the air plenum. Remove the 7 mm nuts with a nut driver (as already stated) or with a ratchet with a 7mm socket and an extension. Once the bolt is almost out, take the ratchet off, and hold your finger against the bolt as you turn the extension/socket to remove the bolt the rest of the way. This keeps you from dropping the bolt.

When putting back together make sure you line up the metal air collector in the metal groove at the bottom behind the wiring harness so the bolt holes line up nicely up against the firewall. This groove is visible on the drivers side. Then hold the 7mm nuts into the socket with your finger and push them into place, rotate the extension to get them started, then re-attach the ratchet to get them in the rest of the way.

When starting the screws that hold the wire harness, be sure to pull the wiring harness down, insert the screws into the holes in the air collector, and then push the harness slowly up towards the screws, tighten the screws lifting the harness. This will help keep you from dropping the screws inside the air plenum and greatly simplifies the task.

I removed my filters completely as I did not want to pay $40 to replace them. Does anyone know if there is adverse reaction to doing this? Like shortened fan life or anything? I am not concerned about the dirt/pollen.

[1996 328ti]

I removed my filters completely as I did not want to pay $40 to replace them. Does anyone know if there is adverse reaction to doing this? Like shortened fan life or anything? I am not concerned about the dirt/pollen.Besides leaves and dirt getting clogged in your fan?
Just look at all the dirt and crap it blocks.

[aceyx]

Though you may not care, all that built-up dust is a MAJOR hazard.

Ever hear of laundry vents catching fire? Not to mention most of the dust on the highway is carcinogenic.

[tastade]

Besides leaves and dirt getting clogged in your fan?
Just look at all the dirt and crap it blocks.

I agree, it blocks a lot of crap, however most of that crap is just dust particle size. The largest things I had in there were tree seeds that were the size of peas. All that stuff should easily make it through the vents without clogging anything. My question is if anyone knows for a fact if there will be a problem by leaving the filters out?

The microfilters were originally intended for people with allergies that need to reduce pollen, and also to help remove dust from the air. I could care less how much dust and pollen I inhale, or how often I need to dust my dash board.

Not to mention most of the dust on the highway is carcinogenic.

I am sure the quantities are too small to be of any concern. Almost anything can be considered toxic in the right quantitites. You will die if you drink too much water. The real concern with the filters is for allergies or people with asthma that might be more sensitive to particulates.

Ever hear of laundry vents catching fire?

I don't follow this statement, do you mean them catching fire because the filter is clogged, or because the filter is removed? A dryer is very hot and is a different circumstance. Can't really compare.

When those filters clog up, it will greatly reduce the ACs efficiency, which will in turn increase the load on the blower fan and likely cause reduced life. To fix the problem I have to change my filters more often (or simply remove them). I don't want to replace $40 filters every couple years that don't really serve any purpose other than to reduce allergies or make people feel like they are breathing cleaner air. I don't live in a dusty environment and I don't have allergies.

[aceyx]

Brake dust is carcinogenic (even current, non-asbestos pads). There's a LOT of that stuff on the highway. Rubber particulate (from tires) is also on the road. That stuff doesn't just vaporize when your tires wear down, it actually goes somewhere.

Dust that passes through doesn't always just pass through. If you've ever had a fan, dust will accumulate on the blades and vents. The air that passes through the filter also passes over the heater core, which is hot.

I honestly could care less if you remove them, I'm just trying to give you an informed opinion.

[tastade]

There is next to zero probability of anything catching fire from removing the filters in our cars. The dryer situation is entirely different as lint and fabric softeners are highly flammable. Dust is not. Remember the reduced air flow is what causes dryer fires, they clog up with lint causing the motor to overheat.

In our cars, not changing the filter at all and leaving it installed you will cause the fan blower to overheat which could cause premature failure (it isn't likely to cause a fire). By removing the filters entirely (or replacing regularly) you are probably better off.

I realize you are giving an informed opinion, but I also think it is overly paranoid. The amount of carcinogenic dust you breath while driving down the road is pretty negligible, you get more carcinogens from the food you eat.

A study of many other studies indicated there was no increase in risk for mesothelioma and being an auto mechanic (someone who breaths brake dust on a daily basis). Smoking is a much, much bigger problem. I am sick of mis-information about materials that cause them to get banned or heavily restricted, like lead, mecury, asbestos and other "dangerous" materials. With proper handling they are fine. Remember that asbestos has also saved many lives by preventing fires (it is an exceptionally effective fire retardant)

http://annhyg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/48/4/309

My question is thus, does removing the filters cause the AC fan to wear out faster (or any valves to clog) because of dirt build up? This could cause increased bearing wear, etc. However, most cars will pass the dirt through just fine.

[Mallard]

i couldn´t beleive after all the effort ( not much really) i went through tho remove the air pannel and such, there were NO FILTERS!

gutted :(

[pdxmotorhead]

The other benefit of keeping the filters is that it keeps the AC coil from trapping dirt, in most cars the AC coil is the source of sour odors, black mold, name it...and the ones I've dismantled building race cars were always full of guk (Technical term :) ) so theres one benefit of running them.
And I get mine for 20 bucks at the dealer not 40..... Maybe its a local thing.... But they are available online for the best cost. Mine are still good after about 1.5 years so far...

Dave

[jccaruso]

FYI: PelicanParts.com said that Part No. 64118363274 has been superseded with this Part No. 64319071933. Thanks for the tutorial. I have always wanted to replace these filters!

[sfj642]

Many thanks for your instructions. I would have had the dash apart (in the same way as the E36) had it not been for this helpful article.

It is hard to discover much about the Compact - it's sort of E36 and sort of something else ! I have to be very careful when looking at the manual.

My car had been regularly serviced by a BMW main dealer up to 12,000 miles ago. I don't think they found out where the filters were either as the assembly clearly hadn't been disturbed from new (100k MILES ago). They are BLACK and full of seeds and hairs and other detritus that can only have accumulated in 100,000 MILES.

So many thanks for the message - regards from Jim B

[sfj642]

If the attachment has worked - this is what my filters looked like this morning. I now have NO filters in (like my other cars).

[sfj642]

Reply to "should I replace my filters"

Took my blackened filters out today - and haven't replaced them. None of my other cars have filters and we live in a fresh air part of the country.

The only problem I could see arising would be fine particles getting into the fan motor bearings; I hope BMW have specified a better motor than the E30's had !

[tastade]

I have had mine out for almost a year now and have had no troubles except for extra dust on the dash. Nothing major, but more than with the filters. I just have to wipe it down a little more often.

[Will'sBimmer]

here are mine!!! not that bad but bad enough for a change.

[Mothman]

FYI: PelicanParts.com said that Part No. 64118363274 has been superseded with this Part No. 64319071933. Thanks for the tutorial. I have always wanted to replace these filters!

Same Here it's the price that is keeping me from replacing them.

[atk350]

Since they are made of cloth rather than paper you can wash them out. I removed very black filters then took the shop vac to them to remove the loose leaves and seeds and whatever else was caught in the pleats. Then I took them inside to the sink and flooded them with water (you should have seen all the black crud wash out of the filters). Still not very clean so I used some dawn dish washing soap and a little goes a long way. I got a tooth brush down in between the pleats for a little scrubbing action then flooded it again with water. Not like brand new but very clean. Then I took the air compressor to blow all the water out of them. A few rapid shakes and a hair dryer will also work to dry them out. I then sprayed them down with an air freshener (Lysol Green Apple scent) lightly then replaced them into their pods. Now when I drive down the road with the vents open I get an air freshened green apple smell! I wonder what's making me so hungry lately for grandma's apple pie?

[nilknarf]

I second atk350's suggestion of washing the filters. I just send mine through the washing machine every other replacment interval. Removes about 90% of the dirt. I suppose upper rack of dishwasher would work too. I've attached before and after photos below.

[monk]

I also did not want to spend $40 for new filters so I used hot water and a strong batch of Oxyclean to wash them after I gently removed all the really big stuff. The water was black after the first washing (about 30 minutes of soaking) so I did it a second time. The filters came out just a little off-white but they looked really clean. I dried them after tapping some of the water out - don't use too much air or you can damage the filter fibers.

The heating and cooling system works like new again.

[vap3]

are these instructions the same on a 318IS coupe? m44 engine

[1996 328ti]

I'm going to say no.

[TiZen]

that sux. the dealer charged me 69.00

[jamal]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

anyone can post some pictures to show us the steps, it will be more eazy for us to to look at them and follow the steps. thanx..:cool:

[vjmvjmvjm]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

anyone can post some pictures to show us the steps, it will be more eazy for us to to look at them and follow the steps. thanx..:cool:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/interior/e36_replace_your_microfilter.html

Vic

[jamal]

vic: thank you soooo much thats help me alot, i change it with less than 30 min everything went very smoothly. :wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::smile:THANX

[sokat1989]

:mad:
wtf is up with these stupid stealerships??
first the guy brought me e36 microfilteres and said it would be $93 for 2.
I told him those are for a 318i; I need for a 318ti they are different! to which he goes no sir I'm pretty sure these are micro filters but ill go check. Then comes back with the right ones saying you were right i had them for a 318i. yet he says the bill is till $93 dollars!
I was like um that's because u charged me for 2 filters worth $43!
to which he said yes i have to charge you for 2 because it says 2 on the box. I tried to convince him but he wasn't budging so i stormed off.

can anyone give me some proof to take to him so he doesn't make me pay $93 for 2 microfilters??

[1996 328ti]

The filters have gone up.
I was shocked when I bought mine.
When I was given the price I though it was for 2. :eek:

getbmwparts has them for 29.46 each.

[cooljess76]

No need to spend anything. Soaked mine with simple green, blew them out with an air compressor, then took them in the house and washed them with dishwashing soap and warm water in the sink, blew them out with the air compressor again and let them air dry. They look brand new! Definitely worth the 15 minutes it takes to clean them.

[roadrash]

Dang, these things are getting way too expensive. I'm going to have to try to come up with a way to adapt the e-bay filters that don't really fit. hmmm.....

[cooljess76]

soap and water saved me 50 bucks:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa282/schwarz318ti/CIMG3616.jpg

I was even contemplating stuffing a fabric softener sheet between the pleats to make the air smell good, but decided against it as it might restrict the flow.

[sokat1989]

hmm i don't have an air compressor. will a vacuum cleaner work?

[cooljess76]

hmm i don't have an air compressor. will a vacuum cleaner work?Just shake them out and let em air dry.

[wolferj-RIP]

A shop vac will get quite a bit of moisture out, too... Don't use a regular vacuum.

[Drubix]

Got brave and changed the filters recently. They old ones were nasty!

[roadrash]

The day after I ordered the E-bay filters, I read here that they wouldn't work. :mad: So, they sat here for months because I didn't want to ship them back and figured I would eventually come up with a way to make them work. A few days ago, I was half-way to the filters working on another project and was presented with an "opportunity" to go ahead and attempt to install the "non-working" filters. (I dropped something into the air plenum so I had to go in anyway. LOL)

The basic problem with the cheap filters is not that they don't "fit" but that they don't snap into place and stay there because they're missing some sort of lip around the outside edge. It's just a matter of making the flat filter stay in contact with the curve that it is supposed to fit onto.

I went the low-tech and ugly route of using some wire wrapped around the holder clips to hold the filter down in position. The wire came from a piece of telephone cord. If you open up the phone cord, there are 4 wires, black, yellow, green, and red. I chose red to coordinate with the Millpoint Red interior, but you can use any color you like. LOL So, yeah, it's ugly but it works.

One trick here... you have to get the wire (or whatever you use) pretty snug to make the filter bend to match the curve, but just be careful to not pull it so tight that you break the clips on the side.

Thus ends your MacGuyver lesson for the day. :biggrin:

Here's a photo.......

[Hwy1Strat]

Bavarian Auto has them for $27.95 each. I just ordered 2 (sold individually) for 1997 Ti.


Part #: Item:
Price:

Qty:

Total Price:
64 11 8 363 274
Interior Cabin Air Microfilter - Activated Charcoal - Sold singularly - 2 required per car 1997 318ti
$27.95

2

$55.90

Cheers!

~Mike R~

[1996 328ti]

I went the low-tech and ugly route of using some wire wrapped around the holder clips to hold the filter down in position. The wire came from a piece of telephone cord.Surprised you just didn't use gaffer's tape. :)

[roadrash]

Surprised you just didn't use gaffer's tape. :)
Oh, I definitely considered it since I had some on hand. But, I figured it would eventually dry out and leave a mess after it stopped being sticky.

[elfhearse]

FWIW: RM European has them for $21.86 each

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Number/Cabin-Air-Filter-Paper-(2-Per-Car)-__64319071933_3-spc-M_FAE888E6.aspx

[bullmand]

Old thread resurrection! Where does that plastic air baffle sit in there? I was just in there on mine the other day and didn't see anything like that.

[familytruckster]

Don't get the cheap pair from FCP Groton either, they don't have the retaining either.


I'm just using silicone very sparingly and glueing them in

[Timberwoof]

Old thread resurrection! Where does that plastic air baffle sit in there? I was just in there on mine the other day and didn't see anything like that.

The plastic air baffle is a flimsy piece of plastic that clips into the upper edge of the air inlet opening and sits over the air filters. It's probably a bear to get back in without breaking. I left mine out after also leaving out the filters which I tried to clean. The plan is to put new filters and the plastic thingie back in there.

When you have the filters and their odd-shaped duct-housing things out, take the opportunity to poke your shop vac's narrow nozzle around in there. My car, with ~200,000 miles, used to live in a pine forest—I can tell by the debris in there.

When you take the filter duct clip things out, keep the right one on the right side and the left one on the left side. The two screws are on the right side of the car, by the battery; the one is on the left, by the brake booster. (As seen by the driver sitting in the driver's seat in a LHD car. I don't know how they're set up in the UK.) I have seen instructions that reverse this!

[ILurveBMW]

Here's my solution. I intentionally ordered the cheap eBay filters because I wanted new not washed filters this time around. I knew up front they didn't have tabs but didn't care. Why? Because I have Gorilla Tape although any duct tape will suffice. I cut the strip into two halves and worked around the edge. Here's the filters in place better than any "tabs" could hold them with a much better seal IMO. 12884

[pdxmotorhead]

i've been thinking that a little creative fiberglass work and some plain industrial filter fabric would do the trick. Use the old filter to make a mold...

Dave

[AudriusZy]

Old thread resurrection! Where does that plastic air baffle sit in there? I was just in there on mine the other day and didn't see anything like that.

No Kiddin about those MicroFilters.. I took Mine out, they looked like hell ;) It was enough to imagine that crap would be in my nosetrills ;) Another kind of storry - NONE of the serious filters ever been changed ;) The fuel line filter still has a sticker - 1995.07. ;) I wonder how the performance will increese when I will change it to new one from Knecht ;)
About Microfilters - I took mine out and find out - they are both original, so decided to do a trick - washed 'em.. Now after about an a week of soaking them up and brushing - they are both WHITE ;) Try this if You are about to feel quite fool enough not to pay about 80$ for a pair (Euro prices)

z

[mharvey73]

I got mine from Rock Auto and paid $25.79 for Mann replacements. Seems like a quality fit with an extra foam around the edge, much better than the factory ones. Everything else they show for a part looked to be one-piece. As an interesting note the Mann filter instructions show no baffle being installed in the housing. I wonder if it was intentional.

[740isport]

I also just bought a set from Autohausaz.com and less than $25.00 for the pair. You can buy Airmatic Filtertech or Mann.

[Boffalora]

i've been thinking that a little creative fiberglass work and some plain industrial filter fabric would do the trick. Use the old filter to make a mold...

Dave
I was thinking the same thing, Dave. It wouldn't be a microfilter, but cut-to-shape fiberglass filter material could be cut to the same shape as the baffle and slipped in to replace the baffle. It'd be cheap and easy to replace. It might not filter microallergens, but it would keep out larger dust and seed particles.

[pdxmotorhead]

Yep. But I was thinking of using a hepa filter and just cutting the guts to fit a fiberglass frame..

[BimmerBobster]

Mann filters are $26 for two on Amazon today. That seems like a good deal, I have always had good luck with their filters.

It seems like going without these filters in place would result in all that dirt and debris and unseen dust going into the system and getting plugged up deeper in the system. I'm not sure what comes first, probably the fan and I wouldn't want to listen to leaves in there, and maybe next the AC evaporator which is a little radiator with tight fins to cool the air, all of that debris would eventually completely plug the passageways through the evap and would be impossible to clean. Next is the heater core, dirt plugged on that as it gets hot seems like it would start to vaporize and smell. All of this risk to save $26 seems short sighted, meaning all would be well for a while until things get all plugged up and can't be accessed to clean without a big disassembly.

[eurohb]

I finally found a used set for $5 and I cleaned them like Jesse said. AMAZING! lol

[Ulysses]

Thanks for the post. I need to do this, since god knows when/if the PO ever changed them.

[juice2000]

Replaced my cabin air filters; they were in worse condition than I was expecting. The Airmatic brand ones from BavAuto fit nicely and the price was reasonable too.

The instructions in the main post of this thread really helped. Thanks!

17071

17072

[marcoac14]

Very nice thread! Thanks.

What's the purpose of the supplementary microfilter set and where is it located?
PN 64 11 9 404 386

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search/selectCar/E36/com/BMW+323ti/ECE/64_0664

Thanks