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Message: <blockquote data-quote="astroboy" data-source="post: 11684" data-attributes="member: 4527"><p>It was a lazy weekend morning to many, but the thought of wondering what kind of air filter the E90 320i is having, simply kept me awake all night and I couldn't wait for the first ray of sunlight so I can rush down to my porch to have an early date with my E90.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />  Is it CONICAL? .. or CYLINDRICAL? .. or just FLAT.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" />Here goes..A cool morning engine.. which is half asleep and I am already all cite up to “undress” her.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /><img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af00.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> 2 size 10mm screws at the right of the AF box to be first unscrewed..<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af01.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Remove the Air Flow Sensor lead rubber boot plug..<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af02.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Lift up the plug and u will see the leads and the socket. Must unplug the socket before we proceed.. tiny wires.. be extra careful not to injure the wires..<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af03.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Unplug the following AF buffer box.. (I initially thought that’s just an ornamental cover with a roundel.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" />) must unscrew 3 tiny Torx screws which hang the box to the upper plastic cross-member beam..<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af3a.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Loosen the hose clip connected to the throttle body inlet, unplug and lift the AF box… Voila!… its out of the E90 lio.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /><img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af04.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Flip the box over and you will notice there are few Torx screw fastening the box together.. 5 of them… if not mistaken.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite11" alt=":rolleyes:" title="Roll Eyes    :rolleyes:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":rolleyes:" /><img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af05.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> I think this is the BMW OEM code for the replacement filter element..<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af06.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> After unscrewing the 5 Torx screws fastening the AF box, just rip the box open like open a Durian.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /> …the 5 Torx screws are design to remain stuck on one side of the box.. so don’t waste time figuring out how to remove them… they won’t.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /><img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af07.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> This is what I’m looking for.. looks like a synthetic element like the HKS element… minus the oil.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /><img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af08.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> This is the neck of the element.. the air flow sensor is just next to it..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af09.jpg This is the other end… can slide the element out…look at my RED arrow..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af10.jpg <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af11.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af11.jpg</a> With the element lifted off, the air flow sensor is instantly revealed.. be careful not to damage this delicate and vital “organ”.. don’t even think about touching it!! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> If I must find a descriptive word for it, the word would be “G-Spot”.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af12.jpg Close up on the G-Spot.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af13.jpg Macro shot..  <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> … or rather MICRO.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite11" alt=":rolleyes:" title="Roll Eyes    :rolleyes:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":rolleyes:" /> <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af13a.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af13a.jpg</a> Take a peep inside the element..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af14.jpg Close-up… amazing sight!http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af15.jpg Tons of codes on the element..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af16.jpg See…. It’s a CYLINDRICAL shape.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af17.jpg <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af18.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af18.jpg</a> Let’s do some measurement.. in inches.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af19.jpg A little over 5 inches in overall diameter..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af20.jpg Now in Metric.. <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af21.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af21.jpg</a> 8 mm inner diameter… that will be the measurement I need to look for a matching open port K&N.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af22.jpg Now the outer diameter in Metric.. <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af23.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af23.jpg</a> A little short of 14mm..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af24.jpg Inner diameter in inches..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af25.jpg A little over 3 inches..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af26.jpg Now the height.. read the measurement yourself.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af27.jpg With the cylindrical element lying down..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af28.jpg <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af29.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af29.jpg</a> Check this out… the outer synthetic wool layer is wrap on like a sarong kaki !!!! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek!    :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af30.jpg We can actually change “SOCK” !!! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek!    :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" /> which keep the actual element clean.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek!    :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" />http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af31.jpg That’s all folks!Took this opportunity to take a photo of the throttle..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af33.jpg <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af34.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af34.jpg</a> <a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af35.jpg" target="_blank">http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af35.jpg</a> Not forgetting.. the alternator..http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/klchew/DIY/E90/af36.jpg No oil stain found over this side of the engine.. what a relief!!ConclusionSince the element is protected by a layer of synthetic wool.. I reckon it keeps the air flow very clean (double layer mah!) and keep the combustion chamber extremely clean.. By just removing the wool, I believe we will experience instant performance improvement… if straight away put K&N.. Wow! I cannot imagine how much performance gain we will get.. and it’s a definite gain for sure!!Anyway… I’m not in a hurry to swap the OEM element out.. kind of admire the OEM technology though.. again I stress.. u will never see JDM filter element wearing socks.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /> UDM rocks!! :rock:Oh well! I will be looking forward to wash my "socks" once every few months.. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>

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