Plenum filter replacement

[TheTree]

I replaced my mostly disintegrated plenum filter this weekend, and followed the excellent instructions on rr.net.

However we encountered a problem where someone in the factory had been a little over zealous with the windscreen sealant.

The result was that both the windscreen bottom trim and the plenum cover were stuck down in a few places, so there was no way the strip could be slid out !

Judicious tugging and a large blunt old screw driver (don't twist it against the windscreen you may crack it, push it under the strip straight) finally got the strip off.

Be careful not to bend the strip as you get it off, it has a metal strip running down the inside, and once bent, it is very hard to straighten!

Then we had to use a sharp knife and cut between the windscreen and the plenum cover, again using the screwdriver underneath and cutting and tugging we finally got the covers off.

Replaced the foam filter with some UV resistant synthetic insect screen, treated the covers with 303 AeroSpace Protectant (looks black again now), and re-fitted the covers.

A tip for the strip clips, remove them all from the plenum covers (gently does it) and slide them into the guides, then position them in the correct spots to clip back on.

Makes it much easier to get the windscreen bottom trim back on.

Steve

[wayneg]

A worthwhile project, 99% of P38`s have little to to no foam left and many owners dont even realise that its rotted away. The carbon fish tank filter material I used several years ago still looks as good as it did on day one. See.................
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/87970-foam-air-intake-panels-2.html#post1344880

[redandy3575]

It's a pain in the rectum to replace that filter, and very easy to damage something. I carefully slid mine in through the grill. Maybe LR didn't intend for the filter to get changed.

[mtb_gary]

A worthwhile project, 99% of P38`s have little to to no foam left and many owners dont even realise that its rotted away. The carbon fish tank filter material I used several years ago still looks as good as it did on day one. See.................
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/87970-foam-air-intake-panels-2.html#post1344880

There must be something in the water or air over here in WA I did exactly the same idea on mine. Cheap and easy and so far still looks the goods. :D

Gary

[TheTree]

A worthwhile project, 99% of P38`s have little to to no foam left and many owners dont even realise that its rotted away. The carbon fish tank filter material I used several years ago still looks as good as it did on day one. See.................
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/87970-foam-air-intake-panels-2.html#post1344880

To be honest i didn't realsie there was supposed to be a filter in there until during my incessant reading at rr.net I came across the repair details.

I then looked and saw the few remaining fragments of foam and added the project to my "to do" list !

I didn't think of fishtank coarse filter foam, it would do the trick well I am sure !

Steve

Steve

[TheTree]

I took a couple of pics to show the finished job and the way the 303 Aerospace protectant has brought up the plenum cover !

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Steve

[mtb_gary]

Steve

If it looks half as good as it does in the photos that is pretty impressive stuff. Where do you get the 303 Aerospace cleaner from?

Gary

[TheTree]

Hi Gary,

BCF have it listed on their website, but my local store didn't carry it.

I finished up getting it from fleabay.:D

It's called 303 Aerospace Protectant and so far it seems to do a great job. I did my door handles as well with great results and am waiting to see how long it lasts.

Steve

[Keithy P38]

I use a product by Mothers called "naturally black". I've found applying two coats wet and thoroughly rubbing it in has left my plastic bits looking brand new! 2 months on and a couple of car washes later its still there.

Yours came up the treat! Looks great with the new and improved mesh too.

Cheers
Keithy

[davidsonsm]

Thanks. I've bought a replacement filter and have been wondering how to do the job. Bloody awkward.

[TheTree]

I had never used 303 before, well only a Lee Enfield many moons ago :eek:

I found out about it by reading various forums, a lot of the guys who show cars seem to swear by the stuff, so I decided to give it a whirl, all good so far :cool:

Steve

[Keithy P38]

Gotta love the show car scene!

[derpomz]

I took a couple of pics to show the finished job and the way the 303 Aerospace protectant has brought up the plenum cover !

http://p38.hts.com.au/images/IMG_9016.jpg

http://p38.hts.com.au/images/IMG_9017.jpg

Steve
Looks great.

Is there a photo pictorial anywhere to show you how to replace the filter. Im buggered if i can see a way to do it.

[TheTree]

Looks great.

Is there a photo pictorial anywhere to show you how to replace the filter. Im buggered if i can see a way to do it.

there is one here mate

Intake plenum filter replacement (Range Rover 4.0/4.6/p38) (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/hevac/plenumfilter/plenumfilter.html)

Steve

[derpomz]

there is one here mate

Intake plenum filter replacement (Range Rover 4.0/4.6/p38) (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/hevac/plenumfilter/plenumfilter.html)

Steve

I read that and i dont think i am capable of doing all that dismantling. I am the Tim the tool Man Taylor of fixing things.

[mtb_gary]

I read that and i dont think i am capable of doing all that dismantling. I am the Tim the tool Man Taylor of fixing things.

Give yourself a couple of hours to do it. Follow the procedure step by step it's not too hard and no special tools needed.

Gary

[TheTree]

It helps to have an assistant for this one, also my bottom windscreen finisher was slightly stuck by a bit of excess windscreen sealant and had to be gently prised off, being careful not to crack the windscreen. A non metallic scraper/trim remover is good for this.

Just be gentle and have patience, it's not a super hard job just a bit fiddly

Steve

[olbod]

I just checked our P38 and it does not have a filter or any sign that it ever did ?
Is it actually important to have one apart from stopping leaves and crap getting in there. ?

Jeez what next what else.

[TheTree]

I just checked our P38 and it does not have a filter or any sign that it ever did ?
Is it actually important to have one apart from stopping leaves and crap getting in there. ?

Jeez what next what else.

Mate it just stops leaves and crap getting into your pollen filters, which is why i replaced it with synthetic fly screen wire.

If you took yours apart you would most likely find the remnants of some roughly 15 yr old foam hanging about :angel:

Steve

[olbod]

Next job.
My new pollen and plenim filters arrived this morning from Mr Automotive.
$115 to my door.
Excellent.
Just have to buy a yard of plastic flyscreen mesh when I go shopping on Thursday.

[Scouse]

$115 to my door.
How many sets did you buy for $115 ?

[olbod]

How many sets did you buy for $115 ?

A pollen filter for each side plus the sponge plenim.

I probably could have done it cheaper in a couple of ways but sometimes I just cant be bothered and I support some locals that go out of their way to provide me with good service.
If its delivered to my door I just have to bend over and pick it up !!!

[wayneg]

As I have advised many times before, The filter material is exactly the same as aquarium Bio filter material. For $1 or $$2 on ebay, get 2 pieces, enough to do the job. The original is about 7mm thick, the new filter material 18mm. I have now done 5 cars, the longest now 6 years ago which still looks new. It not a hard job and the finished result looks A1 stock but better as the foam is slightly thicker and stronger

Aquarium Fish Tank Biochemical Cotton Fiber Filter Sponge Useful Foam Pad E T1K | eBay

[Robsrod 58]

As I have advised many times before, The filter material is exactly the same as aquarium Bio filter material. For $1 or $$2 on ebay, get 2 pieces, enough to do the job. The original is about 7mm thick, the new filter material 18mm. I have now done 5 cars, the longest now 6 years ago which still looks new. It not a hard job and the finished result looks A1 stock but better as the foam is slightly thicker and stronger

Aquarium Fish Tank Biochemical Cotton Fiber Filter Sponge Useful Foam Pad E T1K | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Biochemical-Cotton-Fiber-Filter-Sponge-Useful-Foam-Pad-E-T1K-/360768939513?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item53ff8125f9)
Wayne,
Having an aquarium I agree it is the same, but better still IMO, is grey A/C filter material as used by duct cleaners in the building industry. Don't know what it is made of, but it lasts forever, well, at least 3 years and filters a bit finer too, mine is still as good as new.

Rob