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Re: [T3] air cleaners


The subject of the air cleaner comes up on the list every now and then;
usually someone is asking if it wouldn't be better to use dry paper filters
(which are cheap and available) in place of the stock oil-bath cleaner,
which seems primitive to some.

The consensus has always been that the stock air cleaner is not only *more*
efficient at keeping dirt out of the engine, but it is far superior in terms
of furnishing intake air at the right temperature.

The intake system is extensive, including many clever parts, not least the
car's body itself. Bits of this system are often missing, for instance the
preheat tube from the right front heat exchanger to the underside of the
intake mixer. But when the system is complete you can rely on it to keep
your intake warm enough above the Arctic Circle and cool enough for Death
Valley. There are no parts to replace, just clean the pan out and replace
the oil when you change engine oil, using the extra half-quart you don't
need for the engine.

If for some reason you really prefer a dry element, you can get a dry
version of the stock air cleaner with a replaceable paper element as
furnished by VW to some markets. This allows all the proper intake
connections. I have one of these, tried it out and went back to the oil
bath. I would recommend against the little individual paper filters because
the intake air is then normally overheated. The top screw on the PDSIT also
makes it a little harder than it looks to find units that fit properly and
won't rattle off.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
'66 KG1600


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