Pollen Filter change on a 2001 Elegance,could someone please tell me how its done?

If My memory serves me correctly the pollen filter is under the black plastic trim between your bonnet and your windscreen, think it was loads simpler than I first thought and only involved opening the bonnet, removing the rubber seal that holds the black plastic tray to the body work and squeezing your hand in!

The squeezing your hand in bit was the hardest part

Cant remember how the filter was actually held in ( some sort of clip )

Sure someone else will correct me here if I have just made that up!!!!!

Tom

Sounds about correct to me. It is under the trim panel on the near side so no need to remove a wiper arm, though the trim is held firmly in place via a plastic strip on its underside that push fits tightly into a recess in the body work below the windscreen. There are no clips that you can break off, but as with removing any bit of plastic, it is best done when warm as it is a bit more flexible. You'll find removing this strip is probably best done with the bonnet shut and then open it to get at the pollen filter that just clips in.

Worth cleaning out debris and vegetation while you've got access and make sure the drain hole is free of blockages too!

Thanks fella's:D

Here's a picture of it:

think i'll be getting this done now near 50 000 on her...

Well I cant for the life of me remove the plastic trim that sits in front of the filter.I tried for over an hour earlier,and gave up when steam started appearing from my ears.

Does one have to employ mild violence to remove the trim? Im **** scared of breaking the bloody thing.:(

Dont need to remove it, just lift it up.

Thanks Lummox,ill try again tomorrow.

It can be hard trying to squeeze your hand in if it is Gorilla sized :P .

Just be gentle and be ready for scratched hands.

The trim comes away easily as long as you pull in the right direction.

lift the end where it overlaps the the other half in the middle, and pull it away perpendicular to the windscreen. The trim is fixed by a slotted continuous clip which is attached all the way along the bottom edge of the windscreen (not clear on any of the pictures I've seen..), so once you have eased the end out in the middle the rest will follow along to the outer edge. You will need to pull quite firmly to get it out.

It can be hard trying to squeeze your hand in if it is Gorilla sized :P .

Just be gentle and be ready for scratched hands.

How right you are! Scratched hands indeed,but at least the buggers in!

Not on mine it doesn't! Is my 2003 Octy (130PD) different? My N/S scuttle panel 'underlaps' the O/F side one. I've tried brute force at each end of the scuttle and I'm buggered if I can shift it. In desperation I'm thinking of ordering a new one and butchering the old one off. I've even tried softening it up a bit with a hair-drier but to no avail. 'ELP!

FYI vwspares.co.uk do them for £7+VAT

Not on mine it doesn't! Is my 2003 Octy (130PD) different? My N/S scuttle panel 'underlaps' the O/F side one. I've tried brute force at each end of the scuttle and I'm buggered if I can shift it. In desperation I'm thinking of ordering a new one and butchering the old one off. I've even tried softening it up a bit with a hair-drier but to no avail. 'ELP!

Mine over/under-laps on a 110TDi (2001), so I think that is the standard design.

1. Open bonnet and remove the rubber strip that runs the width of the car at the front of the scuttle panel.

2. Gently wiggle the panel, pulling in a 90 degree angle from the that of the windscreen and it should come off.

The first time is definately the hardest , but after that it should be a bit easier once you see how the "clips" work on it. You may need to keep an eye on the bonnet hinge as it can get a bit close to that and need a little wiggling around it.

Also remember there is a washer jet pipe clipped underneath.

Thanks for that JESTERS3. I'll order one cos I'm certain this one's not gonna come off without wrecking it!! As for getting your hand under with it in place - you'd surely have to be a very young, female pianist to get a hand in there? Thanks also MBAMES for the tip wrt the washer pipe!

I spent an age trying to remove the scuttle panel, per Haynes Manual then I realised (from this thread) what I was doing wrong. I was trying to pull it into the engine direction and not, as mentioned by mbames above) UP, OFF the windscreen. I just thought I'd stress this trivial but vital silly little thing. It comes off easily so don't even think about trying to reach under to replace the filter.

Incidentally, it's easier to get the filter and frame to slide back into place if you marry these two together and fit; don't try to place the filter first then the frame, or visa versa. Do them together as one item.

Overall, a 10 minute job...........now I know how!! And my, how dirty the old filter was. Worth doing as often as oil - 6 monthly. ? Are Mann filters good as Fram etc?

Old post, but hey we all have to learn...Yes Mann/Fram are good:thumbup: i always get a fram one as its the only thing cheaper from my factors....buy the rest OE as its cheaper:rolleyes:

HTH

Phil

Thanks a very usefull tip , this one .

Just make sure you clip it/seal it in correctly, or water will get into the car above the passengers feet.

Ive just replaced mine after 60k - what a difference it makes. I was suprised how easy it was to do aswell..........

Need to do mine, didn't manage to get it done during the service due to bad weather. If i remember rightly the haynes manual suggested you had to take the passenger side wiper off....... looking at the above this isn't the case though? Will double check this in a minute.

AllTourque when you say difference do you just mean in the cabin or noise etc?

You definitely don't need to remove the wiper.

You definitely don't need to remove the wiper.

Looking at your handy photos i believe you cheers saved me a load of work!

"2. Remove the left hand wiper arm as described in chapter 12, then ease of the rubber seal and unclip the plenum chamber cover"..... weird.