Removing and installing air cleaner (left-side): Audi A8 D3 (ASE, BHT, BSB, BTE)

🧭 Before you start

Unbolt and lift off the upper housing, take out the element and cover the air mass meter. Clean both housing halves, blow out the water drain hose and check the air mass meter, intake hose and air duct for dirt. Centre the new element in its retainer, seat the top section straight without force, bolt it down and refit the rest in reverse.

Fits: Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010)

Don't miss

• Cover the air mass meter with a clean cloth before cleaning the housing.
• Blow out the water drain hose in the lower housing with compressed air.
• Centre the element in its retainer and check the sealing lip position to prevent air leaks.
• Fit the upper housing straight and without force.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📋 Procedure

1. Remove bolts from top section of air cleaner housing.
2. Detach air cleaner housing (top section) and take out air filter element.
3. Cover air mass meter with a clean cloth and clean out bottom and top sections of air cleaner housing. [Note: If the air filter element is very dirty or wet, dirt or water could reach the air mass meter and affect the air mass value. This would lead to loss of power, since a smaller injection quantity is calculated.Always use genuine part for air filter element.Use a silicone-free lubricant when installing the intake hose.Secure all hose connections with the correct type of hose clips (same as original equipment) Parts catalogue]
4. Blow out water drain hose in bottom section of air cleaner with compressed air.
5. Clean salt residue, dirt and leaves out of air cleaner housing (top and bottom sections); use a vacuum cleaner if necessary.

6. Check for salt residue, dirt and leaves in air mass meter and air intake hose (engine intake side).
7. Check for dirt in air duct leading to air filter element.
8. When installing the air filter element, check that it is properly centred in the retainer in the air cleaner (bottom section).
9. Fit the top section of the air cleaner carefully on the bottom section, without using force. Make sure the top section of the air cleaner is fitted straight on the air filter element. Note position of sealing lip on air filter element (to prevent air leaks).
10. Then screw top section of air cleaner back onto bottom section.
11. The remaining installation steps are carried out in the reverse sequence.

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (A6 C5 Avant) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

How to change air filter on AUDI A6 C5 Avant

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