Removing and installing air filter element (left-side, cylinder bank 2) — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Remove the engine cover and the bolts on the air cleaner top section, lift it off and remove the element. Clear the drain hose and clean both halves of the housing, check the air duct, centre the new element, seat the top section without force and bolt it down before refitting the cover.

Fits: Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010)

Don't miss

• Keep dirt out of the housing and air mass meter 2G246 when lifting the old element.
• Check the water drain hose in the bottom section is clear.
• Centre the new element in its retainer before fitting the top section.
• Position the sealing lip and duct correctly; unmetered air upsets the air mass reading.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📋 Procedure

1. Remove engine cover panel (refer to instructions for removing and installing ).
2. Remove bolts (arrows).
3. Remove top section of air cleaner (detach retaining clip (A) if necessary).
4. Pull out air filter element. [Note: Make sure no dirt gets into the air cleaner housing or air mass meter 2G246.] [Note: If the air filter element is very dirty or wet, dirt or water could reach the air mass meter 2G246 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.]
5. Check water drain hose (2) in air cleaner (bottom section) for dirt and other obstructions (clean if necessary).

6. Clean salt residue, dirt and leaves out of air cleaner housing (top and bottom sections); use a vacuum cleaner if necessary.
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 sealing lip and air duct are positioned properly to prevent unmetered air from being drawn in).
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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