POLLEN FILTER

[richjant 0]

Can anyone tell me where the pollen filter is in my 1996 323i e36 car? It has been recommended to be changed when I had a recent service. Thanks

[richjant 0]

Problem is that we don't have a BMW dealer as such in Taupo and I had my car in to a service centre today (who have a BMW mechanic) for a second opinion on what needs doing on it and they said they couldn't find a pollen filter. They said they couldn't find any "housing" for one. So they told me it doesn't have a pollen filter and I'm really confused! Do all BMW's have a pollen filter?

[jom 96]

Problem is that we don't have a BMW dealer as such in Taupo and I had my car in to a service centre today (who have a BMW mechanic) for a second opinion on what needs doing on it and they said they couldn't find a pollen filter. They said they couldn't find any "housing" for one. So they told me it doesn't have a pollen filter and I'm really confused! Do all BMW's have a pollen filter?

Remove the panel above the drivers footwell, and feel in the forward centre of the car for a knob that's about 30mm diameter (near the firewall). Turn it counterclockwise, a cover about 100mm x 20 mm should fall off. The pollen filter has a tab on which you pull, it bends into sections so you can worm it out. Snap the new one so it hinges and work it into the housing. It takes 15 minutes to replace once you know how to do it.....

Jo

[richjant 0]

Remove the panel above the drivers footwell, and feel in the forward centre of the car for a knob that's about 30mm diameter (near the firewall). Turn it counterclockwise, a cover about 100mm x 20 mm should fall off. The pollen filter has a tab on which you pull, it bends into sections so you can worm it out. Snap the new one so it hinges and work it into the housing. It takes 15 minutes to replace once you know how to do it.....

Jo

Thank you so much Jo, you have been so helpful I really appreciate it

[master garion 1]

Can anyone tell me where the pollen filter is in my 1996 323i e36 car? It has been recommended to be changed when I had a recent service. Thanks

I recently replaced the pollen filter in my car using this guide

http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=9827

It was the best I could find on the net. Most of the guides out there are for LHD cars and obviously don't apply to us here.

I saw your other post re parts prices. Gavin's price is pretty good for the pollen filter and probably won't be beaten for local stock. But if you're willing to wait for delivery from overseas like I did, you can buy one from

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-CAB...sQ5fAccessories

At current exchange rates, it works out to be less than $25 including shipping. The filter itself is of decent quality although I have not seen a genuine filter so can't compare. Hope this helps.

* that DIY guide makes it look easy. The tricky bit is getting the new filter back in. I thought changing the pollen filter was hard on my Honda, but the BMW engineers really take the cake here. So if you want to avoid scraped knuckles and sore knees, suggest taking to a mechanic preferably one who's done it before. Some automotive air-con specialists may do fitting too.

Edited May 14, 2010 by master garion

[richjant 0]

I recently replaced the pollen filter in my car using this guide

http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=9827

It was the best I could find on the net. Most of the guides out there are for LHD cars and obviously don't apply to us here.

I saw your other post re parts prices. Gavin's price is pretty good for the pollen filter and probably won't be beaten for local stock. But if you're willing to wait for delivery from overseas like I did, you can buy one from

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-CAB...sQ5fAccessories

At current exchange rates, it works out to be less than $25 including shipping. The filter itself is of decent quality although I have not seen a genuine filter so can't compare. Hope this helps.

* that DIY guide makes it look easy. The tricky bit is getting the new filter back in. I thought changing the pollen filter was hard on my Honda, but the BMW engineers really take the cake here. So if you want to avoid scraped knuckles and sore knees, suggest taking to a mechanic preferably one who's done it before. Some automotive air-con specialists may do fitting too.

Thanks, that's a big help, I've printed off the step by step guide to give to the BMW tech here, since he thinks I haven't got a pollen filter in my car. It's a bit of a worry because I would have thought he should know where it is situated. Yes Gavin's pricing is great. Cheers

[Wom 0]

this thread helped me to find it .... http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....showtopic=14148

once I knew where to look and what to look for, it took maybe 10 minutes

good luck

[39KiwiTouring 2]

Pollen filter is for the air cond, I was quoted $219.00 to replace my one, are they in a similar place in the E39?

[allan 295]

E39Kiwi Touring not sure if this is what you are after but the E39 has two carbon activated filters, cabin filters.These are located under the bonnet by the windscreen one on either side of the motor. Purchased from Euro -Italian for around $50 each and from the s/dealers $81.57 each.

[39KiwiTouring 2]

Yeah not sure what he mean't just mentioned it on service invoice that the polen filter needs changing.

I will take a look at those tomorrow are there any other filters under the dash or anything?

[richjant 0]

Thanks, that's a big help, I've printed off the step by step guide to give to the BMW tech here, since he thinks I haven't got a pollen filter in my car. It's a bit of a worry because I would have thought he should know where it is situated. Yes Gavin's pricing is great. Cheers

That really helped alright, I printed off the step by step instructions and the BMW tech changed the pollen filter no problem. He said it was really black, quite yukky actually, so it obviously had never been changed in the time (149,000 km) that anyone has owned it. Story of my life, buy a used car and do all the maintenance no one else bothered to do. I'm the 3rd NZ owner. The power steering fluid was just about non existant, the brake fluid was black and so was the trans fluid (took 12 litres in the flush until the fluid was showing clear!). So have had a trans flush done, brake fluid changed, steering fluid filled, pollen filter changed and replaced RF outer ball joint and LF rack. Then wheel alignment done. Another local service centre had done a 10,000 km service recently, you'd think they would have checked the power steering fluid wouldn't you? They were very thoughtful to put some glass cleaner in the window washer container (where's their priorities???) When I bought the car I also got 4 new tyres fitted as the previous owner had all different tyres on it and the tyre pressure was way out on all of them. I have also had the radiator flushed and filled with anti freeze and replaced the battery. I feel like I need to keep this car for a long time now after getting it up to a good mechanical standard! And it sure grips the road and handles corners so much nicer now. I can't believe how slack some people are with keeping their vehicles in good condition. I really appreciate this forum as I can talk turkey with BMW tech's now from what I have learnt from it. Which is an amazing achievement for a (blonde) female LOL.

[39KiwiTouring 2]

Well done Janice those e36's are loyal steads so you will get your use out of it, frustrating though always things to do when you buy a car.

[richjant 0]

Well done Janice those e36's are loyal steads so you will get your use out of it, frustrating though always things to do when you buy a car.

Thanks Kieran, I feel so much safer driving the BMW since all the maintenance work has been done and I am looking forward to having the loyalty out of it. Cheers Janice