Right, a while ago I blanked off my air filter inlet panel on the driver's side (the bit which would allow the air to go into the engine bay) with tape to see how the car would be and if it's of benefit. I did that along with removing the plastic grill from inside the air filter box as well.

 

With the car going in for it's service in the next few weeks, I've checked the air intake side of it other and I'm pleased to report the following;

 

• the engine bay has stayed cleaner than when the section was open
• the air filter box didn't have a load of 'bits' rattling around the bottom
• the air filter itself is still remarkably clean (only needed to scrap a few flies off it)

 

As blanking the driver's side outlet off hasn't shown any negative effects, I'm wanting to purchase the correct blanking plate. Now I've only been able to find one (5Q0129849) and I'm assuming because the intel part (5Q0129254B) is the same for all MQB cars. Just a bit hesitant to buy it without some proper delving into to as all the ads for them I've found say they're for the 2.0TFSI engine.

 

Anyone able to verify the above please?

 

Cheers

This is where I got mine and mine is a 65 plate 184 TDi VRS

 

 

https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/582-genuine-mqb-air-scoop-trim-plate.html

Edited 28 September, 20205 yr by Ecomatt

Do you not worry about a big splash from a puddle or really heavy rain getting sucked in and now having nowhere to go apart from your air intake? Or do you not think that would be an issue ever?

59 minutes ago, NikTheGeek said:

Do you not worry about a big splash from a puddle or really heavy rain getting sucked in and now having nowhere to go apart from your air intake? Or do you not think that would be an issue ever?

 

I've never really considered that to be an issue because I've not cut out any of the front grill, so there is still protection from the majority of the rain.

 

I've driven through a few downpours on the motorway and I've never felt anything amiss in how the car has felt. Also, the potential quantity of water potentially getting into the engine doesn't concern me because A, it wouldn't be a constant stream and B, by the time it's gone through the filter, the intake system, the turbo, the intercooler and then into the cylinder, it will be in such a low quantity I wouldn't see it affecting combustion.

Is it not open for air flow over the engine?

34 minutes ago, Towelie said:

Is it not open for air flow over the engine?

 

It was, but that's what I've blocked off. I've measured the coolant and oil temperatures on a few runs and at no point have they ever gone excessive. I had it on the graphing and you could see when I'd driven fast because the water temperature would rise slightly, along with the oil temperature. The fan would kick in and bring the coolant temp down back to around 90-95 degrees and the oil temperature was sitting around 110 - 115 degrees for the length of time I was 'driving quickly'. When the speeds reduced, the oil temperature reduced back to around 95 degrees and stayed constant for the 'cool down' part of the drive.

 

I don't feel it's problematic having it blanked off. Otherwise why would they sell a blanking plate?

10 hours ago, tunedude said:

 

It was, but that's what I've blocked off. I've measured the coolant and oil temperatures on a few runs and at no point have they ever gone excessive. I had it on the graphing and you could see when I'd driven fast because the water temperature would rise slightly, along with the oil temperature. The fan would kick in and bring the coolant temp down back to around 

 

I don't feel it's problematic having it blanked off. Otherwise why would they sell a blanking plate?

 

That may be rhetorical. But a little story. I was at Oulton Park some years ago for the Porsche Cup. There was a famous modified ex Le Man's iirc whale tale turbo 911, sponsored by Blue Coral. The driver was from the Haynes car manual firm. Asked him about the power available. He said the turbo boost gauge should be calibrated in £s. When pressed about what reasonably reliable power was usable for circuit racing he said up to 800hp, but for Oulton less than half that. I gathered that its speed was largely down to aero, chassis design and tyres. Impressive driving for  disabled guy. 

Have you tried the other 2 mods that go with this? Opening up the airflow on the passenger side by drilling or cutting holes in the air channel, and removing the restricter from underneath the air filter?

 

Nick

Yeah I've already done those. I put pictures up on one of my other threads, but they've disappeared.

 

 

 

And yeah, the grill I mentioned in the first post is that one underneath the air filter.

 

I'm just wanting now to make the blocking on the driver's side permanent as it's only blocked of with tape. The amount which I've used does mean it's secure, but a proper job is what I'm after. That's why I'm trying to verify the blanking plate is the same for both TFSI and TDI intakes.

20 hours ago, tunedude said:

Yeah I've already done those. I put pictures up on one of my other threads, but they've disappeared.

 

 

 

And yeah, the grill I mentioned in the first post is that one underneath the air filter.

 

I'm just wanting now to make the blocking on the driver's side permanent as it's only blocked of with tape. The amount which I've used does mean it's secure, but a proper job is what I'm after. That's why I'm trying to verify the blanking plate is the same for both TFSI and TDI intakes.

The post I put on further up is the part I used for my tdi. Fits perfect with no issues.  The blanking plate is the same part for petrol or diesel variants.

I’ve the below fitted. Has gone up in price a bit since I bought it. Been fitted to vrs tdi for over a year. No issues to report. Keeps the engine bay cleaner. For those worried about water intake, this is fitted standard on some models. 
 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202298244179 

@Ecomatt @T07 thank you for confirming. I thought from my research it was the same, but just wanted to double check.

 

Did it come with the screws to hold it in, or are they a separate purchase? Doesn't say on the parts sheet.

 

thanks

I can’t honestly remember. I have a bag of self tappers in the toolbox so likely just used those. 

Just did a google search on the part number and its available all over the place. even amazon.  Just in case loads of us order parts on the pack of this thread...

1 hour ago, tunedude said:

@Ecomatt @T07 thank you for confirming. I thought from my research it was the same, but just wanted to double check.

 

Did it come with the screws to hold it in, or are they a separate purchase? Doesn't say on the parts sheet.

 

thanks

The plate clips in and doesnt need any screws. The clips are very firm and there is no chance of it coming off or loose.

1 hour ago, Ecomatt said:

The plate clips in and doesnt need any screws. The clips are very firm and there is no chance of it coming off or loose.

 

sound happy days, I'll get one of those on order. Cheers

On 28/09/2020 at 18:59, tunedude said:

 

As blanking the driver's side outlet off hasn't shown any negative effects, I'm wanting to purchase the correct blanking plate. Now I've only been able to find one (5Q0129849) and I'm assuming because the intel part (5Q0129254B) is the same for all MQB cars. Just a bit hesitant to buy it without some proper delving into to as all the ads for them I've found say they're for the 2.0TFSI engine.

 

Anyone able to verify the above please?

 

Cheers

 

I used part number 5Q0 129 849 on my MK7 Golf..which has the same slam panel....

 

You also need two self tapping screws to fix it part N 906 986 06, M4.2x16mm bolt/screw...20p each when I paid..

 

All info on the how to guide I did on the MK7 forum back in May 2018...

 

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-retro-fit-the-gte-air-intake-to-a-mk7-golf.353884/#post-7167924

I've been reading about this mod and I wonder whether the open part of the air box (that the blanking plate would cover) allows easier breathing when the car is stationary? I reckon that when you are doing 70mph down the motorway, it won't matter a jot if the blanking plate is fitted or not because the engine will be getting plenty of cold air. No warm air at all will be getting sucked in from the engine due to the force of the air flowing in from the front. But at slow speeds, maybe not enough air comes in, hence the need for the open part in the engine bay?

 

I note the rather expensive Revo replacement air filter allows for the flow in to the engine bay, they don't blank it off.

 

It would be interested to see tests of all 3 methods:

1. Stock

2. Opened up passenger side

3. Blanked engine bay.

 

Also I wonder what difference, if any, it would make to a diesel?

 

Nick

Edited 22 December, 20205 yr by NikTheGeek

It has slightly increased my mpgs with the plate fitted and I also removed the snow grate in the airbox. I wouldnt think opening the passenger side would make a deal of extra difference with diesel as you need extra diesel rather than air to make more power. Petrol would benefit more as they need more air to help make more power. I am not opening mine up.

The open back design was more to reduce the debris being sucked into the airbox as opposed to coolong etc. The same design was used on the mk2 TFSi to help keep thebair filter cleaner for longer. The idea is that the turbocharger will suck in what air it needs from the air flow and the rest will just flow by into the engine bay. It doesn't aid cooling at any speed as there is plenty of ventilation around the bay and under it to aid with that. My engine temps and oil temps are the same before and after fitting the plate.

My dongle plus Skoda Connect Lite is reporting intake air temperatures all over the place, as high as 38°C. Absurd. Where is the temperature measured? Getting concerned, if this is indicative of an intake problem.

IAT sensor is often combined with MAP sensor.