Audi A3 Pollen Filter Replacement

Article Date: 08/07/22

 

This guide is written for people who own an 8P1 Sportback Audi A3, it could differ slightly from model to model, but the procedures should be very similar on most cars

 

Tools to replace pollen filter

• 8mm Socket + Ratchet (if Glovebox removal required )

Why replace your pollen filter? What does it do? What are the sympoms of a bad pollen filter?

The pollen filter cleans out the air entering your car from the Air Filter housing. This filters any dirt and pollen out, so you're only breathing clean air from outside. It's useful for people who have allergies too because it means they can drive without interference. It also improves the performance of your aircon system because there's no blockages. Carbon filters help to remove ozone, exhaust and odorous gases, so these are generally better and more expensive than regular pollen filters.

Generally they normally need replacing when airflow is weak from the fans, or a bad smell because of bacteria on the filter. Another thing is if your windows are misted on the inside. Other possible causes can be your allerrgies becoming worse, or a whistling in the air vents.

How often should you replace a the Audi A3 pollen filter?

If you want to stick by maintenance it's usually every 2 years or 20,000 miles (whichever comes first). For simplicity, change it when you change your air filter. If that's once a year do it. They're cheap enough.

Method to replace pollen filter

You should be able to change the pollen filter without removing the glovebox, if you need to do this however, I've included the steps to do it below too. This is under a seperate section

• In the passenger footwell, remove the two thumbscrews that are attaching the foam cover to the pollen filter housing and remove it to expose the pollen filter cover
• I've also attached what it looks like without the glovebox

• Slide the plastic casing left to unlock, then lower it to give access to the pollen filter housing. Use the marked grips to pull it to unlock
• This is what it looks like when open, you can see the end is no longer in line. Pull it downwards to remove

• Extract the old filter, depending on how old it is, there may be a lot of dust or rubbish that comes out with it. You will have to pull it with a small amount of force to remove
• My filter was the original from 2007 by the looks of it. Part number 1K2819653B. You can see the comparison between old and new. Clearly some garages don't care when it comes to servicing

• Insert the new filter in the orientation shown, it will probably be a tight squeeze, you may need to pinch it together and push it in. It will take shape after insertion.
• Mark up the mileage changed (optional) so you can check the last time it was done

• Insert the plastic cover in the orientation shown

• Slide the cover to the right to lock it. Use the tabs marked as thumb grips to use to close it
• Reattach the foam cover and the 2 thumbscrews that hold it

Removing the Glovebox

If you need to remove the glovebox in your Audi A3 here are the steps, some reference pictures first

• This is the pollen filter with the Glovebox removed in the Audi A3. The thumbscrews which hold on the foam cover are denoted here

• In total there are 7 screws to remove (3 upper inside, 1 central inside glovebox open), (2 lower underneath), and (1 outer car)
• These are all the positions of the screws on the glovebox (with it removed), the Pollen filter is where the green circle is.

• Open your glovebox and undo the 3 upper screws, and the central screw at the back of the glovebox

• Undo the left side screw underneath the glovebox

• Undo the right screw under the glovebox

• Undo the side screw behind the removable cover at the end of the dash.
• Your glovebox can now be removed, unplug the two white connectors (not shown), these power the lightbulbs, and the black connector (power) by pinching the tabs
• Refitted the glovebox is a simple case of reinserting the plugs and screwing back together

Does your glovebox droop at one side on your Audi A3?

I had a look whilst taking these pictures. This is a common fault, a proper solution hasn't been figured out yet (from what I can recall) just workarounds. I knew of the issue, but not what caused it, this here is the prolem.

The mechanism doesn't fully retract, I suspect it'snot supporting the weight of it properly. As it gets older it deteriorates. You can test this by pushing the hinge back towards the engine bay, it should lift your lid. I'll be writing another article when I fix mine too. I have an idea on fixing it, possibly either a stronger spring, or some form of brace