Cold Air Intake With Reusable Filter for Mk5 VW 2.5 Engines for Under $100

After purchasing a kit for my 2006 Jetta with the 2.5 engine to replace the stock air filter with an easier to access and reusable air filter 8 years ago, I wanted to do the same for my daughter's 2009 Jetta. The problem is that what was a $150 solution now has a $350+ price tag. So, I embarked on finding a way to do it less expensively using readily accessible parts with simple tools.

Since my process relies on using the stock plastic 3" pipe with the 2 stock ports, you'll need a band saw to make the precision cut, you'll need hose-clamp plyers and nut drivers to remove and reattach the multiple hose clamps. Purchase a 3" Universal High Performance 4-Ply 90 Degree Elbow Coupler Silicone Hose ID 3" (76mm) from Amazon ($21) in whatever color you like (I chose black) as well as a RED 3" 76 mm Inlet Cold Air Intake Cone Replacement Performance Washable Clamp-On Dry Air Filter ($18). You could optionally purchase a TSAKJ Mounting Fixing Bracket for Cold Air Intake Induction Pipe Filter Support ($15) if you feel it needs support. Prices as of June 2024

NOTE: if your engine has the MAS airflow sensor inline with the stock pipe into the 2.5 engine cover this process will not work as written. Rather, you will have to buy a 3" flex pipe instead of the 90 elbow in order to piece everything together. Also, the MAS sensor has a very limited length of cable from fire wall so take that into account as well.

Remove the stock intake pipe from the car using the hose clamp pliers and sit the clamp to the side. On the stock input pipe, mark the lowest point your 90 degree elbow will sit and then mark roughly an inch back for where you will cut the pipe on the band saw. The goal here is to cut on an angle that when matched with your 90 degree coupler will sit in the space right in front of the battery without rubbing against other items in the engine bay.

Using all proper safety steps to make your cut, line up the stock pipe on the 2nd drawn line with the blade and cut through the pipe. Discard the end that went into the engine cover.

Attach the 90 degree sleeve to the Intake Cone Replacement Filter using the provided clamps making sure the loosening bolt is accessible for future cleaning. Then, attach the other end of the 90 degree elbow coupler to the stock intake making sure the parts fall into the open area of the engine bay. Reattach the 2 smaller hoses to the stock input. For support, you could add a piece to the tubing and attach to the battery case which has an empty bolt receiver to the front left of the battery.

You are now able to enjoy a simpler experience of replacing your air filter without removing the engine cover and 6 screws and having to purchase a new filter! Just loosen the hose-clamp screw, remove the filter, clean it (Step 4), reinstall and you're good!

You are now able to enjoy a simpler experience of replacing your air filter without removing the engine cover and 6 screws and having to purchase a new filter! Just loosen the hose-clamp screw, remove the filter, clean it with K&N filter cleaner and Renewer, reinstall and you're good! BTW, Simple Green is a good cleaner to use as well.