The air cleaner housing is closed from above with a cover, which is secured with four M4 nuts screwed onto bolts fixed inside the housing, and six spring clamps that press the edges of the cover to the housing.
The filter element is made of microporous paper, folded like an accordion to develop the useful area. At the manufacturing plant, the air purifier is equipped with a filter element manufactured by Sandrik (element type 95 015 0173 01). The element is covered at the top and bottom with plastic shields of the appropriate shape, ensuring its tight fit in the air cleaner housing. The degree of air purification by such a filter reaches 99.9%.
Service
Maintenance of the air purifier consists of periodic cleaning (every 10,000 km) and replacement (every 20,000 km) filter element. When operating the vehicle in conditions of increased dustiness or air pollution, service intervals should be halved.
For each liter of fuel burned, the engine requires about 10÷12 liters of air. The air consumption required for the engine to produce a power of about 1 kW is 80 l/min. Thus, the condition of the air sucked into the engine becomes especially important.
The level of air pollution depends on the distance from industrial facilities, the condition of the road surface, weather conditions and traffic intensity. Even when driving on a motorway at high speed and at a considerable distance from populated areas, intensive pollution of the air filter occurs due to, for example, rubber particles that accumulate on the road as a result of wear of tire treads.
Conducted operational studies show that when operating vehicles on roads without hard surfaces, as well as in large populated areas where the level of air pollution is very high, the air cleaner filter element should be cleaned every 2,000 km of travel, and replaced every 7-8 thousand km.
Contamination of the air filter leads to a decrease in the power developed by the engine, an increase in fuel consumption (up to 15%), a significant increase in the content of toxic components in the exhaust gases, and also the dilution of the engine oil by unburned fuel.
Violation of the air purifier's tightness, reduction of its operating efficiency (usually as a result of using low-quality working elements), may cause premature engine wear. Operating a vehicle without an air filter is not permitted under any circumstances.
Cleaning of the filter element is carried out as follows:
- a) Loosen the four M6 nuts securing the air cleaner cover with a 10 mm wrench;
- b) Release the six spring clips located around the perimeter, remove the cover and remove the filter element from the housing;
- c) Blow the removed working element with compressed air in the direction from the center outwards (you can also use a regular vacuum cleaner, sucking air along the outer perimeter of the element);
- d) Thoroughly wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing to remove any accumulated dust and dirt deposits - take precautions to prevent dirt from getting into the carburetor air throat (plug it with a rag);
- e) When installing the air cleaner cover, ensure that the mark on it is positioned opposite the air cleaner inlet.
When replacing the filter element, you should proceed in the same way as when removing it for cleaning (see previous paragraph).
Removal of the air cleaner assembly is carried out in the following order:
- a) Remove the air cleaner cover and take out the filter element;
- b) Loosen the M6 nut securing the housing assembly to the bracket on the cylinder head;
- c) Remove the three M5 nuts securing the air cleaner housing to the carburetor (try to keep them from falling into the air hole of the last one).
Note: One of the nuts (the one in front of the others [on the car]) is seated tightly against the carburetor jet hole;
- d) Remove the metal cover;
- e) Loosen the clamp bolt securing the rubber sleeve at the end of the air cleaner housing intake duct;
- f) Lift the air cleaner housing upwards and remove it from the carburetor mounting flange;
- g) Disconnect the end of the hot air supply hose. Remove the hose together with the small elbow in which it is secured from the protrusion on the air cleaner inlet pipe; When installing the air cleaner in place, make sure that the protrusion on the metal plate enters the corresponding recess of the gasket installed between the body and the carburetor.
Access to the thermostat located inside the air cleaner is opened after removing the cover of the latter. From time to time, it is necessary to check the correct functioning of the thermostat (i.e. the operation of its valve at temperatures below 20÷25°C and above 25÷35°C).
The easiest way to check the air purifier thermostat is to use a regular hair dryer. Direct a stream of warm air at the thermostat and make sure that this causes the diaphragm to move.
Note: Be careful! Excessive overheating of the thermostat may cause its failure!
The diaphragm of a damaged thermostat will remain stationary. If such a malfunction occurs, a significant increase in fuel consumption occurs.
For a more detailed check of the thermostat condition, prepare a deep container with water at a temperature of 30÷35°C. Then proceed as follows:
(The original can be viewed on: SkodaBook)
- a) Immerse the air purifier body in water in a vertical position so that the inlet pipe is directed upwards. At maximum depth, the water level should reach the edge of the warm air inlet (the cut should be no more than 1÷2 cm above the water level);
- b) After a minute, make sure that the diaphragm has taken the position corresponding to the shut-off of the heated air supply;
- c) Make sure that as the water cools down, the thermostat gradually opens the warm air duct and closes the cold air duct. For simplicity, the thermostat should be suspended using a wire or piece of string. The minimum operating temperature of the diaphragm is 20°C (keep a thermometer handy). When the water temperature drops rapidly, the diaphragm should move from one position to another within a minute. Otherwise, there is excessive contamination of the assembly, which should be eliminated.