1.0TSI Air Filter to Intake Manifold coupler issue

[RUM4MO]

Really just a copy of what I posted in the Arona section, aimed at people that don't wander into that section.

I removed the air filter from my daughter's 2019 Arona, and discovered that probably the previous person, in a VW Group Indie, had grabbed the air filter up and away from the intake manifold without removing the large spring clip first - so "things" failed/broke/separated at the weakest point, which has left the intake manifold rubber coupler separated from the intake manifold - which it should remain part of.

So now the lower end of that rubber coupler is retained only by the fact that the air filter assembly sort of traps it in the area/place that it should be, not ideal, I was just wondering if anyone else has removed the air filter on this type of engine yet, it needs removing to gain access to the spark plugs, which on some cars must be due to be replaced by now - or even the air filter element.

 

[Jpbroad1970]

I've removed mine on my 1.0 TSI didn't have any issues getting mine off when I did spark plugs, think it was clamp on rubber hose and breather pipe maybe something else can't remember.

 

[RUM4MO]

Yes, that is what I had expected to find or need to do, but unfortunately a VW Group Indie garage had checked that air filter element for suitability to stay in service at 26K 4 years, and seems to have not bothered to remove the large spring clamp that fixed the rubber hose that is part of the intake manifold, to the air filter assembly - so the rubber coupler got forced off/away from being a part of the intake manifold. Just my luck!

Edit:- if it was not that VW Group Indie then who knows why someone else had felt the need to remove the air filter assembly, my daughter does know that this VW Group Indie did remove and check the air filter, so hopefully if they had found this damage was present when the air filter was removed, then they would have contacted my daughter for "the nod" to order in a new intake manifold. A bit of a bummer but I've advised them to not try to fall out with that VW Group Indie as they need to use that place, so just to remember that it happened and if anything else "just happens" then have a serious word about it.

 

[Jpbroad1970]

I don't think they are that difficult to change as I took mine off to do turbo actuator but I get what you mean. Just a bit of care that's all that's needed. Hopefully goes ok for you

 

[RUM4MO]

Thanks, the bad news is that my daughter and her husband are not into car type jobs, just add fuel and drive types - and that car is now over 400 miles away rom me, so the best that I can do, to satisfy my insane curiosity, is to get one ordered in and collect it locally up here in Central Scotland, take pictures of it and send it down to them in London for them to book that car into unfortunately, the same VW Group Indie which is convenient for them, and request that the removed parts are returned to them, and they can send these now 2 parts back up to me so that I can look at them carefully and photograph for the benefit of others, before storing them in a "safe" place.

Maybe a stupid approach to this problem, but want to satisfy myself of what/where this bonded pair of parts ended up failing, that is all, and maybe be in a position to advise other interested parties about this possible danger if you chose to get rough with this component.

I have, since carrying out the spark plug change on that 1.0TSI engine, watched a few YouTube videos, and all I can say is, some people are being very lucky and not breaking the coupler off on their cars.

Edit:- one point, really just to alert you to it, when you buy a new intake manifold, it comes complete with a new bolt - so that means that that fixing bolt is not really meant to be reused for some reason - unless of course it is a bolt that gets suppled coated in a type of Loctite - and in that situation VW Group advice to replace the bolts with a new one, where many of us that know about Loctites etc could easily and safely clean the old locking paste off and apply some new stuff.

 

[Jpbroad1970]

I used to work for VW they like to go nuts on bolt replacement. My view is as long as you take care and take your time that rubber pipe shouldn't get damaged, mines still flexible and my car is 2017. Great engine though in my opinion.

 

[RUM4MO]

I was quite shocked to find that had happened on that car, really just down to someone probably who should have known better, not being fit professionally to be trusted with doing that job.

 

[Jpbroad1970]

Unfortunately it happens doesn't it, at least if you break it own up to it....simples

 

[RUM4MO]

Yup, at least at just over £53 it is not too costly. I expected that as it is a part that would normally last the life of the car that replacing it would cost more than that.

 

[Jpbroad1970]

Yeah I looked and was surprised how cheap it is

 

[RUM4MO]

Now that I have the new intake manifold I can see that a new bolt is being supplied as it is retained in that assembly, no locking paste or anything.
Also I can now work out that the rubber coupler is fixed to the hard plastic part using a strong plastic band that has tangs/grapper teeth, so now quite a bit of force would be needed to get these 2 parts back together - probably requiring the removal of the hard plastic lower part and forcing the 2 parts back together until these tangs slip over the ring of the hard plastic part - if all these tangs still exist!

 

[Jpbroad1970]

Argh I see, at the price probably not worth the effort of trying to repair it. Just a shame it got broke in the 1st place through lack of care or knowledge.

 

[RUM4MO]

Yup.