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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > DIY Guides > DIY: Charcoal filter removal



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      03-29-2012, 09:45 AM   #199
slider86
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I'm a bit confused about this. Do we need to put in a filter after we cut out the charcoal filter? Or can we just cut it out and not replace it?
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      03-29-2012, 12:36 PM   #200
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Originally Posted by slider86 View Post
I'm a bit confused about this. Do we need to put in a filter after we cut out the charcoal filter? Or can we just cut it out and not replace it?
You will have ONE filter when finished. The charcoal filter does not get replaced with anything.
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      06-18-2012, 03:49 PM   #201
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Just did the charcoal delete. My K&N is currently in the mail. It revs much faster and sounds clearer and smoother. May do a silencer tube build when I put in my K&N next week. I dig it. Very easy mod that fixes a very stupid design.
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      08-07-2012, 06:10 PM   #202
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Thank you from Italy
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      09-27-2012, 02:57 PM   #203
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I just did this eager to see the results and right after my valve cover gasket blew and started smoking....now I have to wait 2 days before I get to see the results. I'll be back with an EDIT and leave my review. Anyways it was easy enough. Only took 20 minutes or less. I only had 120 grit so I had to work with that just make sure you have all the masses of the charcoal filter out. I washed the box after then cleaned the MAF. That's all for now, I'll post the aftermath next week. Oh and be careful the filter is dirty as hell and when you rip it out, you might accidentally breathe in the dust and yea....watch out.
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      09-27-2012, 03:34 PM   #204
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Anyone think that the gases that escape from the engine that the charcoal filter is supposed to stop may screw up your MAF sensor?\

Anyway to just clean the charcoal?
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      10-09-2012, 09:24 AM   #205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhc905 View Post
Anyone think that the gases that escape from the engine that the charcoal filter is supposed to stop may screw up your MAF sensor?\

Anyway to just clean the charcoal?
The MAF is position in between the engine and the charcoal filter. With or with out the charcoal filter the gases from the engine would still pass through the MAF.

I recently did this mod, and like other posted results the car revs smoother and feels as if there is more power above the 2000rpm band. Gas milage showed no change.
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      10-13-2012, 06:53 AM   #206
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I will do this today. Thanks for the write up. Last time i had it open to drop in KN i wondered what that " junk" was. So time to take it out
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      10-15-2012, 10:53 AM   #207
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Got it. I just cleaned my MAF and haven't driven enough to notice whether that makes a larger difference than what most people here seem to have noticed after doing the charcoal filter delete (potentially marginal improvement in MPG).

Quote:
Originally Posted by h3lpmedic View Post
The MAF is position in between the engine and the charcoal filter. With or with out the charcoal filter the gases from the engine would still pass through the MAF.

I recently did this mod, and like other posted results the car revs smoother and feels as if there is more power above the 2000rpm band. Gas milage showed no change.
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      11-18-2012, 11:22 AM   #208
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Doing this over the turkey day weekend. Just ordered an AFE Pro Dry S replacement filter as I'm not too keen on K&N's oil filter technology. Looking forward to letting my N52 breathe a little better by getting rid of the stupid charcoal filter.
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      01-16-2013, 01:25 PM   #209
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Pictorial guide

So I did the Charcoal Filter Delete over the weekend, and figured I would share some pictures with y'all ...

The OP has already posted instructions on how to remove the air filter box. I will start from after you have it removed from the car.

Unscrew the 6 Torx screws around the box and open it up


Crack it open!


Leave the orange air filter alone. Need to only work on the gray charcoal filter.


IMPORTANT: Carefully remove the MAF sensor at this point. It is the white thingy in the round hole behind the charcoal filter.



Soak the charcoal filter with water (to avoid dust.) Cut it along the edges using a utility knife. Cut as close to the plastic rim as possible.







Wavy ridges from the filter remain along two sides.


The other sides will have straight edges. Remove all these remnants using a dremmel tool / razor blade / sand paper


This is what it looks like all cleaned up


Put the box together again and reinstall in the engine bay.

Car seems to breathe a lot easier after this mod
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      01-23-2013, 08:39 PM   #210
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thanks
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      03-04-2013, 10:47 PM   #211
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I did not read the whole thread. but this applies same to e92 N54 too?
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      03-13-2013, 02:01 AM   #212
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I used that K&N filter as well, first mod everyone should consider. Thinking if going for the CAI next.
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      04-09-2013, 10:09 PM   #213
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great diy
wondering if anybody in cali have done it and no problems with smog ?
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      04-14-2013, 01:40 AM   #214
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Did this today and swapped in an AFE dry flow filter and the engine definitely feels a little peppier and revs more freely. Thanks!
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      04-14-2013, 09:52 AM   #215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mario939021 View Post
I used that K&N filter as well, first mod everyone should consider. Thinking if going for the CAI next.
You shouldnt go for CAI

You'll actually get worse performance.

I do recommend cyba scoops with this mod
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      06-10-2013, 02:52 PM   #216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony v View Post
great diy
wondering if anybody in cali have done it and no problems with smog ?
Bump! Is there also any benefit to simply replacing the oem charcoal filter with another type of filter (ie. the same paper filter used for the air filter?)

So instead of having no charcoal filter and only a k&n air filter, how about a paper charcoal filter and a k&n air filter?

I'm assuming that BMW used that specific type of charcoal filter to begin with as maybe a paper filter won't catch the excess vapors...
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      06-10-2013, 05:08 PM   #217
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbnery6465 View Post
Bump! Is there also any benefit to simply replacing the oem charcoal filter with another type of filter (ie. the same paper filter used for the air filter?)

So instead of having no charcoal filter and only a k&n air filter, how about a paper charcoal filter and a k&n air filter?

I'm assuming that BMW used that specific type of charcoal filter to begin with as maybe a paper filter won't catch the excess vapors...
if you mean replacing the charcoal filter with a new one or paper filter thats a no because it glued onto the plastic air box

just do the removal and add air filter breathes a lot better
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      06-10-2013, 05:53 PM   #218
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Cool. I'll be doing this soon. I saw one post where the person disconnected the battery and reconnected it in order to reset some sensors to account for the increased airflow. Is this something that's necessary? Are there any pros/cons to doing or not?

*Update

So I did the charcoal delete mod this afternoon. The process was pretty easy and gave me a chance to wash the airbox and vacuum the paper filter. So here are my frist impressions 'for my specific car' in my 'specific area of San Diego, CA': (I test drove it replicating my daily driving behavior as much possible)
- Engine rev sounds a little bit clearer and not so muffled
- Throttle seems to be a little bit more responsive, both during idle and when driving
- I did in fact notice a little bit more pull, most noticeably in 1st gear @ 2500 rpm (previously I only felt the pull around 3000 rpm in 1st gear)
- 2nd through 4th gear didn't seem as 'sluggish' as it did before, as if the car was breathing better and was able to reach the higher rpm range a little bit better than before

So for my vehicle, yes I do notice a very slight improvement. However it's not a jaw dropping significant as some people may want to expect. I'm hoping the car will run a little bit better and have better fuel efficiency once I do my 80k service and flush all fluids and replace plugs.

I can't wait to take it on the freeway tomorrow morning and see if I can notice any difference on the freeway (and gauge if there are any differences in 5th and 6th gear)

So far I'm happy with it, I mean it was a free mod so there was nothing really to lose.

Last edited by jbnery6465; 06-17-2013 at 09:36 PM..
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      06-17-2013, 09:39 PM   #219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DUI Elite View Post
You shouldnt go for CAI

You'll actually get worse performance.

I do recommend cyba scoops with this mod
Would the cyba scoops with the charcoal delete hurt fuel efficiency? (assuming those are the only mods the car has)
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      06-18-2013, 11:36 AM   #220
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbnery6465 View Post
Would the cyba scoops with the charcoal delete hurt fuel efficiency? (assuming those are the only mods the car has)
Not really. I have that setup on my car and I'm able to get 31 highway on my N52. Stock, I was always at 28 or 29.

But I also have the K&N Filter. The sealed system is designed to be very efficient.
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