Removal and installation the air cleaner (BMW 5 Series E28)

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

If your car's radio has an anti-theft system, make sure you know the correct activation code before disconnecting the battery. Before disconnecting the wire, refer to Section Anti-theft audio system and instrument cluster language.

If a message in another language appears on the instrument cluster display after connecting the battery, refer to Section 1 for the language setting procedure Anti-theft audio system and instrument cluster language.

Carburetor engines

1. Unhook the spring clips, then unscrew the center nut and remove the cover.





2. Remove the filter element and wipe the air cleaner body and cover.





3. To remove the housing, first disconnect the air intake duct (1) and the heated air hose (2).

4. Disconnect the vacuum line at the carburetor.



5. Unscrew the four nuts securing the air cleaner to the carburetor and remove the metal ring.





6. Loosen the air cleaner mounting bracket nut (shown by arrow).





7. Remove the air cleaner from the carburetor and disconnect the crankcase ventilation hose.

8. If necessary, hook the sealing ring on the bottom of the air cleaner.



9. Installation is the reverse of removal, however, align the arrow on the cover with the arrow on the air intake duct.

Fuel Injected Engines

1. Disconnect the air intake duct from the front of the air cleaner.

2. Disconnect the air duct between the air cleaner and the throttle body.

3. Remove the air filter (see chapter Routine car maintenance).

4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the air flow meter (see section Cleaning and adjusting the carburetor).



5. Remove the two nuts (shown by arrows) air cleaner mounts and remove the air cleaner from the engine compartment (motronic system shown).



6. Installation is the reverse of removal. Make sure the air ducts are securely fastened, otherwise air leakage may occur.