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I bought a 2012 GS, it happens to have the vararam intake. I would like to inspect and clean or replace the filter. The clamps are obvious to release , but I would like to know if I will need to remove the intake part to throttle body. It looks simple, but doesn't always work out that way. Thanks
Pain in the ***. Remove the whole unit from the throttle body. Then have fun trying to get it all to get back in place.
It was never easy for me but then I am not gifted in this area.
Not sure which generation you have but double check the seal when closing and look for debris that got past the seal. If so you have a closure problem, which was common with the earlier units, I understand that Vararam had redesigned the unit for better fitting, so I hear but I have no experience with the newer design.
Pain in the ***. Remove the whole unit from the throttle body. Then have fun trying to get it all to get back in place.
It was never easy for me but then I am not gifted in this area.
Not sure which generation you have but double check the seal when closing and look for debris that got past the seal. If so you have a closure problem, which was common with the earlier units, I understand that Vararam had redesigned the unit for better fitting, so I hear but I have no experience with the newer design.
Thanks for your response, I just got the car, so hope dealer inspected. I have contacted Vararam for some info also.
I've researched and experimented and found the following substitutes.
Paper filter replacements
You'll need to slightly trim/sand off about 1/8" of the rubber seal on each end. So if you drive in an area with a fair amount of dust the paper filters trap a whole lot more dirt, but do slightly restrict the airflow.
These are replacements for VW 2.4 L from about 2006-2012.
According to the numbers, it looks like Carquest, NAPA, and WIX are identical and Fram & STP are also twins, so you might as well shop by price.
The bottom line is that the best filter is at it's best on the day you take it out and the best performance is with no filter at all. Everything else is a compromise. Pick your poison.
Thanks to everyone for your effort and experience. I believe it should be ok presently.
Very low mileage, The car only has 13000 miles. I will share my experience when I get into it.
called vararam a few times but didn't have luck getting through, my air filter NEEDS to be cleaned, is there an online DIY anywhere or can someone walk me through step by step with a few photos?
I unlatched the sides, removed the PCV tube from the factory bellows tube, left the MAF connected (it had plenty of slack), and removed the bellows from the throttle body. That gives you easy access to the filter without much work. The flexibility of the bellows tube makes going back together easy peasy. That was my first time doing it. I tried uncoupling between the MAF and the top piece of the Vararam. No flex there with the straight silicon couplers. Easier coming off and going back on if you take it loose at the throttle body.
thanks for trying oldmotorhead, theres a lot of verbal descriptions but im worried of breaking something or causing some issues , im looking for a photo or video description if anyone has , thanks again though I appreciate it
I did it myself today and in all honesty , for anyone else in my position, its a lot easier then it seems
You loosen the first two clamps before the MAF, and the two flip style clasps down by the filter housing itself , and wiggle the entire piece out, it came out with relative ease and went bac in even easier.
Now onto the good stuff, in my honest opinion this vararam works AMAZING, my filter was absolutely filthy, worst ive seen , but when u look on the other side of the filter, it was spotless, the inside of the intake was also spotless, nothing got through and I couldn't of asked for a better outcome.
I hope my vette forgives me for taking so long to clean the filter, but its all done now and for anyone who is struggling with this don't worry, its easy.
Disgusting Cleaned this up thoroughly before re assembly Caked in dirt This is the backside of the filter, looks clean enough to eat off , im very impressed with vararam, not a speck of dirt got through , well done
change vararam filter
