Where abouts on the engine is it??

Got my Jetta today and want to check if it has a VAG filter in place or at least one that meets the required specs. Had a quick look under the bonnet but can't see much of anything in there.

Front of the block, slightly to the right, but you won't see anything: it's a paper filter in a housing, not a canister, so the only way to tell is to take it out.

Front of the block, slightly to the right, but you won't see anything: it's a paper filter in a housing, not a canister, so the only way to tell is to take it out.

Cheers for that. I think i have seen the housing you are referring to. Having not owned a diesel before i did not realize you there were such things as paper filters. I guess its staying in then til next service time.

32mm or 36mm socket an extension and a torque wrench to do it back up to the correct torque are all that's needed.

You should see a black plastic lid on the top and this comes off with the filter underneath that.

Make sure you put the new rubber seal on when you change the filter, you get one with the genuine filters and having had a look at a few others I have to say I'd be happier running OEM filters than after market ones, mainly because a lot of places seem unable to provide the correct filter.

HTH