Screen (or pre filter) inside beginning of air intake...

[redrocker55]

Yesterday I was upgrading my lighting...fog lights became HID 6,000K's and the headlights were upgraded to 6,000K's to match.

When I removed the plastic cover that reveals the radiator I discovered a very fine screen that filters some air going into the beginning of the air intake.

Not all the air than enters the intake flows thru this screen...there are holes on top of the beginning of the intake that also allow air to enter. But obviously some air moves through this screen. My screen was clogged pretty bad. I had to rinse it out by running a little water over it...my handheld vacuum did not clean it very well but the water flushed out the dirt very easily. Not much air was getting through this screen (pre-filter?).

This screen looks like something that will slow down airflow to the engine and since it's only filtering part of the air I'm not sure why it's really needed. I'm tempted to remove it since the air still has to go through the normal air filter.

Does anyone know what this screen is for? Why it's only filtering some of the air?

Thanks

[NWS4Guy]

Covered in my DIY radiator screen post, with shots of one side cleaned off the other not - and instructions for those with the stock box to check it for obstructions every so often

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...oling-radiator

[jeffc31337]

Covered in my DIY radiator screen post, with shots of one side cleaned off the other not - and instructions for those with the stock box to check it for obstructions every so often

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...oling-radiator

bookmarked! I'll be checking mine out this weekend. Thanks, as always, for your contributions!

[CreoSTi]

I noticed the same thing, so I removed the screen completely. I doubt that there will be any real issues with this, but time will tell.

-Mike-

[S4MAXSPEED]

I am also trying to fathom why it would be bad to remove it. It is such a fine screen that it clogs way to easily to really be effective, and the air filter will catch anything large. I know an engineer put it there for some reason, but what possible negative side effect could there be to removing it other than changing/cleaning the air filter more often?

[wwhan]

There was comment made on the forum, that the screen keeps out Snow & maybe sand?

[NWS4Guy]

Yep it's designed to catch snow and hold it till it melts and drips out I believe.

[S4MAXSPEED]

Yep it's designed to catch snow and hold it till it melts and drips out I believe.

Yup, didn't think about that aspect. Thank you.

[CreoSTi]

Yep it's designed to catch snow and hold it till it melts and drips out I believe.

Perfect, I don't see too much of that here in L.A.

-Mike-

[jeffc31337]

Perfect, I don't see too much of that here in L.A.

-Mike-

Mine will also be getting a pre-filter-ectomy this weekend assuming it's junked up....

[redrocker55]

Ah ha...the infamous snow screen...that makes perfect sense. Always wondered where the snow screen was.

[jeffc31337]

At 5k miles mine was fairly dirty. The nice thing is it just pops right out so I cleaned mine up and will re-install if I'm ever taking a road trip to somewhere snowy.

Cleaning this filter shoulde definitely be part of routine maintenance(same time as air filter changes/cleanings ). If it gets too plugged up you'll wind up pulling in air through the vents on top of the intake scoop which will draw air in from the engine bay.

[Okan509]

That's awesome to know, I actually cleaned mine not too long ago - it was totally gunked up with grime.

[Kczach]

Does the filter help prevent rain as well as snow from entering the intake as well? I'm not an expert but I would think a a soggy air filter would not be a good thing.

[pablowest]

Yesterday I was upgrading my lighting...fog lights became HID 6,000K's and the headlights were upgraded to 6,000K's to match.

When I removed the plastic cover that reveals the radiator I discovered a very fine screen that filters some air going into the beginning of the air intake.

Not all the air than enters the intake flows thru this screen...there are holes on top of the beginning of the intake that also allow air to enter. But obviously some air moves through this screen. My screen was clogged pretty bad. I had to rinse it out by running a little water over it...my handheld vacuum did not clean it very well but the water flushed out the dirt very easily. Not much air was getting through this screen (pre-filter?).

This screen looks like something that will slow down airflow to the engine and since it's only filtering part of the air I'm not sure why it's really needed. I'm tempted to remove it since the air still has to go through the normal air filter.

Does anyone know what this screen is for? Why it's only filtering some of the air?

Thanks

I have no idea about the screen. But I did not try to remove it because it might cause some issue in it.

[speedracer74]

I just found and removed my snow screen this weekend. I was installing a higher flowing air filter and found one of the four T30 screws loose so I got curious and removed the plastic radiator cover. My screen was gunked up pretty bad. Looking at the air box as a whole I have to assume Audi thinks we are going off roading. The snow screen, further back is a sponge at the bottom of the air intake after that a deep water catch. Seriously? I assume Army Hummer air intakes don't have better guards against water.

[JeriQo]

i took the snow screen out for the summer.
ive noticed that it significantly restricts airflow.

replaced it with an alumium window screen instead.

[BeerBrent]

Covered in my DIY radiator screen post, with shots of one side cleaned off the other not - and instructions for those with the stock box to check it for obstructions every so often

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...oling-radiator

Since the pics are gone (photobucket), thought this might be helpful.
https://imgur.com/a/fiG1E#uwuZWHb

[LittleDozer]

Literally the first thing I did after purchase was remove that thing.

[cspcrx]

+1

[BeerBrent]

Just checked out my snow/pre-filter & it was dirty! Scrubbed it with a toothbrush & hosed it out & much cleaner now.

[jak77]

Yep, took mine out soon after I got my car.

[Dr GP]

Just checked out my snow/pre-filter & it was dirty! Scrubbed it with a toothbrush & hosed it out & much cleaner now.

I did the same thing. Although I first removed it altogether. Noticed no difference without it so I put it back.

[DetRebel]

Since the pics are gone (photobucket), thought this might be helpful.
https://imgur.com/a/fiG1E#uwuZWHb

Thank you for reposting new images! I've been trying to figure out how to clean that screen for a couple months now. It's definitely over kill and probably restrict air flow like crazy.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[troyerco]

I took mine out but it wasn't all that dirty. Here is a pic with just a quick rinse with water. Was just slightly dusty before I rinsed it.

I've had a Roc Euro intake for 65k miles so maybe that has something to do with it. SoCal driven.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[BeerBrent]

Since it's so easy to clean and the fact that many people say theirs gets very dirt, why not keep it in and clean it once a year? Seems to me like it's obviously serving a purpose since it's keeping dirt etc from going further into the air intake box.

[Dakkath]

I took it out. I will say that the engine bay gets dirtier quicker with it out.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[jonwoods]

Removal of the snow screen is good for 10 or 20 horsepower...

[cspcrx]

After I pulled mine I made an extension for the air scoop to grab more air. Normally that second row from the top, which is the first open row, there is no sign of the stock scoop. With the extension in place that second row is now right in the path of the scoop. I did a very unscientific test using a fan. Without the scoop extension I could feel very little air from the fan. With it I could feel the full force of the air from the fan. I figure every little bit helps and it does not snow here so the more air the better.

Unpainted
P1164378_zps02370362 by Victor Malchesky, on Flickr

Painted
P1164383_zpsa059b904 by Victor Malchesky, on Flickr

[daleconn]

After I pulled mine I made an extension for the air scoop to grab more air. Normally that second row from the top, which is the first open row, there is no sign of the stock scoop. With the extension in place that second row is now right in the path of the scoop. I did a very unscientific test using a fan. Without the scoop extension I could feel very little air from the fan. With it I could feel the full force of the air from the fan. I figure every little bit helps and it does not snow here so the more air the better.

Unpainted
P1164378_zps02370362 by Victor Malchesky, on Flickr

Painted
P1164383_zpsa059b904 by Victor Malchesky, on Flickr

Can you provide any info on how you did the extension? Seems like a worth while diy....

[hilmar2k]

Can you provide any info on how you did the extension? Seems like a worth while diy....

I just went with an existing product.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...017429ecs01~a/

[daleconn]

Got it, thanks.


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[Jk79]

I just went with an existing product.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...017429ecs01~a/

I also installed the intake scoop from Luft Technic from ECS. Super easy. Then installed an intake tube to replace the OE accordion one. The car is breathing easy and loving all the extra air.

I bought a 12x12 black aluminum screen that I am going to install behind the grille to keep snow and leaves etc from getting into the air box.

[hilmar2k]

I also installed the intake scoop from Luft Technic from ECS. Super easy. Then installed an intake tube to replace the OE accordion one. The car is breathing easy and loving all the extra air.

The intake tube is my next mod to go along with the scoop.

[cspcrx]

Tried to find the thread I did on it. Basically I cut a piece of aluminum to extend the scoop. I used the existing scoop as a securment point for the extension by using panel clips. Here ar epicures I took. Others had issues with the ECS and aftermarket heat exchanges. Mine clears my AMS.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/152687445@N06/Jc5V5U

https://www.flickr.com/gp/152687445@N06/734ei4

https://www.flickr.com/gp/152687445@N06/Jj6VY0

https://www.flickr.com/gp/152687445@N06/8Fa4o8