What air filter and other service stuff guys?? Help.....

[spadey]

Hi Guys

I have a 05 mk5 5 door( all the 5s) Golf GTI I want to service it and was wondering things like, what air filter ITG, K+N, Pipercross etc, what oil??? Filter?? Spark plugs.... Any hints tips on how to change and which ones to use are greatly appreciated...... How hard are each one to do and where will I find info to help me??

Thanks fellas just dont want to spend Stealers prices....... Got pretty good diy mechanic skills so must have some links etc to help me.....



Steve

[stealthwolf]

Air filters can be a bone of contention. There's one camp (led by RR) who state its fine to use aftermarket filters and that the oil* is minimal and won't cause problems with the MAF sensor. The other camp (led by TT) who state that aftermarket filters are pants and that the oil will screw up the engine.

*aftermarket filters are a bit like very fine sponges/foam but use a light spraying of oil to trap debris so you keep the same filter but wash it every so often. OEM filters are paper-based and don't use oil. Just chuck and change every 40k.

I'll leave it up to you but a word of warning: Fitting an air filter is a complete pain in the backside and can lead to frustration and broken things if not careful. The filter is located in the engine cover which is horrendous to remove.

clicky. Note the clip holding the intake hose is a PITA to remove and I had to use self-grip pliers to help me.

Oil: 5W-30. Castrol SLX/Edge stuff is highly recommended but whatever oil you go with, make sure it's Longlife III type.

Can't remember which company makes the sparkies.

[RedRobin]

Air filters can be a bone of contention. There's one camp (led by RR) who state its fine to use aftermarket filters and that the oil* is minimal and won't cause problems with the MAF sensor. The other camp (led by TT) who state that aftermarket filters are pants and that the oil will screw up the engine.

*aftermarket filters are a bit like very fine sponges/foam but use a light spraying of oil to trap debris so you keep the same filter but wash it every so often. OEM filters are paper-based and don't use oil. Just chuck and change every 40k.

....Follow me, happy campers!

No, I try to keep an open mind on the subject but can only report that I haven't had any problems so far with my oiled ITG panel filter after 40k miles. I'm going to change soon. I prefer little or no maintenance for an air filter so have stayed away from oiled cones.

I'm told by ITG techies that foam filters are better at filtration than paper ones but I can't find the scrap of paper with my notes about why! I expect that a paper filter supplier would say otherwise. I also expect that VW use paper filters because they are cheaper and also cheap to replace.

[jaydubveedub]

As people have said, there are 2 schools of thought.

My advice would be to stick with OEM plugs from your stealer - they're not dear.

Oil needs to be the proper VW longlife 3 stuff, or Castrol Edge 5w/30.

Yes the air filter is a pain to change but only takes 20 mins. There are guides on how to do it.

I have a K&N filter for a MK5 GTI for sale. nearly new, £25 delivered. PM me if interested.

[sambo]

My logic is that the extra 1hp gain you get from an aftermarket panel filter isn't worth it, I prefer to change the paper one more regularly (normally every year or 2 and I do 3-4k a year) A clean paper filter will preform better than a dirty foam one IMO.

Sam

[RedRobin]

....

It's time to change my ITG foam panel filter and it's far too tedious to clean and re-oil so I'll use the Pipercross one I've got and hardly used and see if there's any difference I can tell.

[Hurdy]

OEM spark plugs will be fine. You only really need to go to a colder rated plug if your car is highly modified (stage 2+) in which case you'd be well off to go for NGK iridium plugs

[RedRobin]

OEM spark plugs will be fine. You only really need to go to a colder rated plug if your car is highly modified (stage 2+) in which case you'd be well off to go for NGK iridium plugs

....Exactly what I have been advised too. I'm on Revo2 and renew my OEM plugs every alternate service, i.e. every 20k miles. It's good practice on a remapped car.

[Jimp]

I've done about 6k since I put in a Pipercross filter and it's been damn good so far 

[spadey]

Thanks guys, lots of good advice, just put a carbon air intake on that I picked up off e bay for £25 supposed to increase air flow by 50%.... Any thoughts??? So regarding changing plugs, oil etc how straight forward is it?

Steve