From plwong_at_charlotte.infi.net Thu Aug 14 23:19:45 1997
by fh102.infi.net (8.8.5/8.8.5) with ESMTP id CAA24166
for <dale_at_unofficialbmw.com>; Fri, 15 Aug 1997 02:19:40 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 02:22:29 -0400
From: Peter Wong <plwong_at_charlotte.infi.net>
To: dale_at_unofficialbmw.com
Subject: E36 Microfilter Replacement
X-Priority: 3 (Normal)

Dale:

Below is an easy method for replacing the air conditioning microfilter on E36 cars. Perhaps you'd care to post it in your "Unofficial E36 Interior" section:

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E36 Microfilter Replacement:

The following instructions are for changing the microfilter on E36 cars with factory air conditioning. These instructions are a variation of a method suggested by Shannon Yauchzee in the August 1997 issue of Roundel (page 91). The uniqueness of this technique DOES NOT require the removal of the glovebox or relay/control module panels from the passenger-side of the car's interior.

1.
Remove the horizontal kick panel from beneath the dash on the passenger-side of the interior. It's secured with two screws and slides out easier if you lower the right-hand side first (i.e., side nearest the outside of the car).

2.
>From underneath the dash, remove the short piece of plastic ducting that
supplies air to the passenger's feet. This is a "Y-shaped" piece that is secured with two plastic buttons. Be patient with this piece. One button can be seen as you look towards the "rear" of the car. It connects the "Y-shaped" piece to the main duct line of the ac unit -- it can be removed by prying lightly with a flathead screwdriver. The other button (on top of the "Y" shaped duct and not visible) should release on its own as you lower and remove the "Y-shaped" piece.

3.
You can easily see the housing cover to the microfilter (a long rectangular panel with a latch in the center) once the "Y-shaped" duct is removed. It is located in the center of the car up against the firewall (Once you note its location then you'll see why it's unnecessary to remove the glovebox!). Remove the cover by a 1/4 turn of the latch. Note the orientation of the filter prior to removing it so you put the new one back in the same position. Since there is little room to slide the filter out in one piece you'll need to snap it into thirds as you pull it out, curling it toward the firewall as you remove it from the housing. Note, the filter was designed to break into thirds so you should have no trouble doing this. Vacuum out the filter housing after removing the filter to rid any remaining debris.

4.
The trick to installing the new filter is similar to removing the old one. Before installing the filter you must carefully snap it into thirds "without" separating it (i.e., it should remain in "one piece"). Curl it so that you have room to nudge it back into the filter housing. Note that you must curl it in the opposite way that it naturally wants to fold, but if you're careful it should work without tearing the filter paper beyond its usefulness.

5.
Reassemble in reverse order. Enjoy the fresh air.

This method is relatively safe since one does not interfere with the wire harnesses from the relays and controls behind the glovebox. However, one should be careful with any metal tools being used during the operation so that you minimize the possibility of shorting out any exposed connectors.

The microfilter can be purchased from a dealer for about $35. I suspect one can also purchase them a bit cheaper by mail order.

I changed my filter for the first time at 17,000 miles. It was moderately dirty. The manual says that you should change it at "Inspection 1," but depending on your local environment (i.e., dusty areas, etc.) you may want to do it more often.

Regards,

Peter Wong
Charlotte, NC