Charcoal Filter Removal Z4M

z4mcoupe · 10-01-2011, 09:49 PM

After reading many posts about the CDV delete/replacement, I decided to pull the trigger this morning. The mod bug must have bit me because I ended up removing the charcoal filter from the M Coupe as well. I read about this mod on the M5 forum a while back and those guys have had good success with helping the engine breathe better.

If you can replace the air filter, this is a piece of cake. These are a few photos I took of the process. All I used was a flat head screwdriver.

Step 1:

Pop 5 metal clips around the air box housing that hold the cover in place. Smaller hands would certainly help.

Step 2:

Remove the connector to the Air Flow Meter by pressing on the side tabs and pull off by hand.

Step 3:

Loosen the clamp screw on the tubing closest to the Air Flow Meter.

Step 4:

Push the clamp back (will help with reconnecting it later) then pull the tubing off the air box neck.

Once you've done this, the cover can be removed completely from the car. Turn it over and check out the charcoal filter.

Step 5:

Use the flat head screwdriver to pry the filter off. I've seen people grab the middle section of the filter and pull it off. I don't feel comfortable doing that because it would likely be torn off and cause a mess.

This photo shows where the 6 metal clips are located which will hopefully help with prying the filter off.

Step 6:

Clean the top cover up really well before putting it back in. Make sure you have all 6 metal clips either attached on the charcoal filter or somewhere NOT inside the air box cover.

Step 7:

thekurgan · 10-01-2011, 10:44 PM

Great photos, but this mod does nothing for the S54, at all, noise/power, nothing. In fact there is a SIB regarding its removal related to idle issues and warranty void if discovered, and if you break those clips, you can't buy the filter separately.

Ron Stygar · 10-02-2011, 08:46 AM

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...4&postcount=24

Quickid · 10-02-2011, 09:04 AM

Does the activated carbon filter require replacement at some point?

Ron Stygar · 10-02-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickid

Does the activated carbon filter require replacement at some point?

Not that I know. Bulletin says you can't.
You would have to purchase number 1.

http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsR...iagram=13_1174

Blind32 · 10-02-2011, 11:21 AM

I bought mine CPO and it wasn't installed. Hope it doesn't cause me problems in the future or they accuse me of removing it. No problems yet...

Evan70 · 10-06-2011, 10:35 AM

Just did this as well on mine. Came out fairly easy and can go right back in if needed. Was hoping for a little bit more sound, but can't honestly say that there is any. Might be a little louder, but that may also be me wanting to think it is.

VinnieAces · 10-06-2011, 11:29 AM

why remove everything? why not just pop the clips, lift the top portion of the box and take out the charcoal filter... thats what i did lol much quicker

z4mcoupe · 10-06-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnieAces

why remove everything? why not just pop the clips, lift the top portion of the box and take out the charcoal filter... thats what i did lol much quicker

I wasn't aware of how involved this would be. So I went the safe route and removed the whole cover piece just in case. Besides, if the metal clips that hold the filter frame in place don't come out you may have to remove it after all.

I appreciate Ron Stygar's and thekurgan's insight regarding this mod. The charcoal filter was put in place to pass CA's emission requirement. I can't imagine the engine would be effected negatively w/o it.

mhughett · 10-06-2011, 02:58 PM

So what is the benefit of removing this filter? Sound? HP increase? Nothing?

10-01-2011, 09:49 PM	#1
z4mcoupe boon 12 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: my house iTrader: (0)	Charcoal Filter Removal Z4M - DIY After reading many posts about the CDV delete/replacement, I decided to pull the trigger this morning. The mod bug must have bit me because I ended up removing the charcoal filter from the M Coupe as well. I read about this mod on the M5 forum a while back and those guys have had good success with helping the engine breathe better. If you can replace the air filter, this is a piece of cake. These are a few photos I took of the process. All I used was a flat head screwdriver. Step 1: Pop 5 metal clips around the air box housing that hold the cover in place. Smaller hands would certainly help. Step 2: Remove the connector to the Air Flow Meter by pressing on the side tabs and pull off by hand. Step 3: Loosen the clamp screw on the tubing closest to the Air Flow Meter. Step 4: Push the clamp back (will help with reconnecting it later) then pull the tubing off the air box neck. Once you've done this, the cover can be removed completely from the car. Turn it over and check out the charcoal filter. Step 5: Use the flat head screwdriver to pry the filter off. I've seen people grab the middle section of the filter and pull it off. I don't feel comfortable doing that because it would likely be torn off and cause a mess. This photo shows where the 6 metal clips are located which will hopefully help with prying the filter off. Step 6: Clean the top cover up really well before putting it back in. Make sure you have all 6 metal clips either attached on the charcoal filter or somewhere NOT inside the air box cover. Step 7: Last edited by z4mcoupe; 10-01-2011 at 09:55 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-01-2011, 10:44 PM	#2
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Great photos, but this mod does nothing for the S54, at all, noise/power, nothing. In fact there is a SIB regarding its removal related to idle issues and warranty void if discovered, and if you break those clips, you can't buy the filter separately. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2011, 08:46 AM	#3
Ron Stygar Lieutenant 9 Rep 421 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Filter http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...4&postcount=24
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2011, 09:04 AM	#4
Quickid First Lieutenant 11 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 08 Z4MC, 06 X5 4.4i, 99 323i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (4)	Does the activated carbon filter require replacement at some point? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2011, 11:21 AM	#6
Blind32 Certified Adrenaline Junkie 43 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (2)	I bought mine CPO and it wasn't installed. Hope it doesn't cause me problems in the future or they accuse me of removing it. No problems yet...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 10:35 AM	#7
Evan70 New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Just did this as well on mine. Came out fairly easy and can go right back in if needed. Was hoping for a little bit more sound, but can't honestly say that there is any. Might be a little louder, but that may also be me wanting to think it is. __________________ Evan 2010 335i 2013 Corvette Grand Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 11:29 AM	#8
VinnieAces Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: Imola Red Z4MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Can iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 Z4 M Coupe [8.00]	why remove everything? why not just pop the clips, lift the top portion of the box and take out the charcoal filter... thats what i did lol much quicker __________________ ///M - Some Mods 'N Stuff
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 02:58 PM	#10
mhughett Captain 25 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok iTrader: (0)	So what is the benefit of removing this filter? Sound? HP increase? Nothing? __________________ 2013 Audi TT RS (Tech Pkg, Sport Exhaust, Heated Seats, Sirius) Retired--2007 Z4 M Coupe (Imola Red/Black, Premium Pkg, Heated Seats, XM, Bimmian stubby antenna, CDV delete, Apex EC-7--Anthracite, Goodyear F1 Asymetric 2.
	Appreciate 0 Quote