Cracked air filter housing on engine cover

[Joeb3006]

Hi all, first post here on the forums and new to MK5 GTI ownership. I've recently bought a high milage hero BWA GTI 245,000, and when I have being going about general maintenance, I've noticed that the bottom of the air filter housing has cracked and has a hole in it.

I don't think there is any performance loss, and there is no lights on the dash or codes in the memory, but my question is. Would you either,
1, Not worry about it, and put a 'performance panel filter' in
2, buy a new 'undamaged' engine cover and fit a performance panel filter
3, buy a cold air induction kit like the ram air option?

I'm not sure if I'm going to tune the car, simply because of the milage, even though the service history is impeccable, 2 owner from new and serviced every 6,000 miles with no expense spared. However reading online, the BWA engine is meant to be one of the more reliable ones, so I am open to the idea of a 'stage 1' tune with added bits, e.g. the cold air intake, R8 coils.

What's everyone's thoughts on all points? sorry its a long winded one but I want to try and get as good of an understanding on the technicals as I can.

Thanks everyone!

[Bassman1974]

Welcome,

That's a whole lot of views on your post and not a lot of answers !

I'd 100% be fitting an uncracked standard intake. There will be plenty on ebay. Fix what you know is broken right? If keeping the intake standard, fit a OEM Edition 30 filter. It's a little thinner than the standard GTI one. I've toyed with the idea of a CAI system, but I really do not want additional noise or to lose the engine cover. Standard airboxes are good for quite high BHP figures anyway.

I'd not bother with R8 coils, unless you want the aesthetic of the red when you open the bonnet. I went for standard OEM coils. What will benefit you in that area is a set of iridium spark plugs. I forget the make, NGK maybe? I could look that up if you need.

Stage One remaps really wake these things up. Just beware that a worn clutch will manifest itself fairly quickly post remap. I faced this problem and opted to fit the TTRS clutch unit with new flywheel. Expensive, but totally OEM feeling and good for a fair bit of power. I'd not worry about mileage covered on the engine already though. If it's been maintained it'll likely be fine.

In regard to maintenance, which I'm just throwing in here, has the engine had the sump dropped and oil pickup replaced? Has the cam follower been checked / replaced? Please consider these prior to anything else, as they're a potential killer of these engines.

Good luck !

[Octoparrot]

I agree. I'd stick to the std intake and use a good quality std filter and just change it every year. The std intake gets nice cold air right from the leading edge of the bonnet, most "cold air" kits seem to get the air from inside the warm engine bay  . The same intake was used on other VAG group cars so you don't have to stick to a VW one.

A stage1 tune really does make a difference, I had a Superchips Bluefin one on mine and it's been perfect and really gives a nice load of mid range wallop for overtaking, I found as std the car felt a bit flat. If the cars been as well maintained as you say then I wouldn't worry having a stage 1 tune added as long as it's by someone reputable.

R8 coils are mainly cosmetic, buy them if you want if yours fail but otherwise I'd leave them alone and save your money.

Worthwhile checking the HPFP cam follower but if it's done over 245k then someone's been changing it in the past, same with the oil pick-up, if it's had it's oil changed every 6k then sludge is unlikely to be a problem.

Good luck.

[Bassman1974]

I agree. I'd stick to the std intake and use a good quality std filter and just change it every year. The std intake gets nice cold air right from the leading edge of the bonnet, most "cold air" kits seem to get the air from inside the warm engine bay  . The same intake was used on other VAG group cars so you don't have to stick to a VW one.

A stage1 tune really does make a difference, I had a Superchips Bluefin one on mine and it's been perfect and really gives a nice load of mid range wallop for overtaking, I found as std the car felt a bit flat. If the cars been as well maintained as you say then I wouldn't worry having a stage 1 tune added as long as it's by someone reputable.

R8 coils are mainly cosmetic, buy them if you want if yours fail but otherwise I'd leave them alone and save your money.

Worthwhile checking the HPFP cam follower but if it's done over 245k then someone's been changing it in the past, same with the oil pick-up, if it's had it's oil changed every 6k then sludge is unlikely to be a problem.

Good luck.

I mostly agree there, but the sludge is not primarily caused by lack of oil changes. It's the excess sump sealant used in the factory that gets into the sump and eventually breaks down into sludge. My car had regular oil changes and suffered oil pressure issues, solely based on the sump sealant issue.

[Joeb3006]

Welcome,

That's a whole lot of views on your post and not a lot of answers !

I'd 100% be fitting an uncracked standard intake. There will be plenty on ebay. Fix what you know is broken right? If keeping the intake standard, fit a OEM Edition 30 filter. It's a little thinner than the standard GTI one. I've toyed with the idea of a CAI system, but I really do not want additional noise or to lose the engine cover. Standard airboxes are good for quite high BHP figures anyway.

I'd not bother with R8 coils, unless you want the aesthetic of the red when you open the bonnet. I went for standard OEM coils. What will benefit you in that area is a set of iridium spark plugs. I forget the make, NGK maybe? I could look that up if you need.

Stage One remaps really wake these things up. Just beware that a worn clutch will manifest itself fairly quickly post remap. I faced this problem and opted to fit the TTRS clutch unit with new flywheel. Expensive, but totally OEM feeling and good for a fair bit of power. I'd not worry about mileage covered on the engine already though. If it's been maintained it'll likely be fine.

In regard to maintenance, which I'm just throwing in here, has the engine had the sump dropped and oil pickup replaced? Has the cam follower been checked / replaced? Please consider these prior to anything else, as they're a potential killer of these engines.

Good luck !

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate the insight and you passing on your knowledge
I’ll stick to the standard one, as I too like the look with the engine cover.
As for the maintenance. I’ve actually replaced the cam follower, PCV valve and pipes, the charcoal canister and EVAP purge valve, and I have had the sump off and replaced the pick up and the oil pressure switch.

I know it’s overkill but reading all the “common” issues with the car I wanted to get them all done and out the way so I didn’t have to worry.

As for tuning. With you explaining the engines are strong, I think I’ll go for a stage 1. I don’t push it often but like you say, when I want to, that little bit extra power will be nice!

Thanks for getting back to me!

Happy motoring

[Joeb3006]

I agree. I'd stick to the std intake and use a good quality std filter and just change it every year. The std intake gets nice cold air right from the leading edge of the bonnet, most "cold air" kits seem to get the air from inside the warm engine bay  . The same intake was used on other VAG group cars so you don't have to stick to a VW one.

A stage1 tune really does make a difference, I had a Superchips Bluefin one on mine and it's been perfect and really gives a nice load of mid range wallop for overtaking, I found as std the car felt a bit flat. If the cars been as well maintained as you say then I wouldn't worry having a stage 1 tune added as long as it's by someone reputable.

R8 coils are mainly cosmetic, buy them if you want if yours fail but otherwise I'd leave them alone and save your money.

Worthwhile checking the HPFP cam follower but if it's done over 245k then someone's been changing it in the past, same with the oil pick-up, if it's had it's oil changed every 6k then sludge is unlikely to be a problem.

Good luck.

That’s perfect thanks. I have a good tuner by me who specialises in VAG so I’ll be taking it to them when I get it done!


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