Air flow/Cabin Filter
 

The other day while driving, I'm sweaty and hot but my wife was freezing. She eventually pointed her vent at me and I realized the air flow from the passenger vents, all of them, was significantly higher than the driver's side. I played around with the vent settings which didn't really help, and considering the same thing happens when it's on max AC and full flow, I think there's a problem somewhere. I'm going to start with replacing the filters but wanted to check in here to see if others have ran into similar problems. Really hoping there's not a stuck flap in there or something.

And on the topic of filters, what's the difference between activated charcoal and non? Are they interchangeable? Activated charcoal seems like it would be better, but it's actually cheaper on BavAuto...

This is on an '08 4.8 with 4 zone.

Thanks!

From Google:

Activated carbon air filters consist of a vast system of pores of molecular size. These pores are highly adsorbent, forming a strong chemical bond/attraction to odorous, gaseous, and liquid contaminates, especially organic chemicals/compounds. Vast surface area enables these carbon filters to adsorb exponentially more contaminants and allergens than traditional carbon. Adsorption is a distinct process where organic compounds in the air or water react chemically with the activated carbon, which causes them to stick to the filter

They are essentially supposed to filter better.

If I'm not mistaken, all of the vents pull air from the cabin air filter. So a blockage on the filter shouldn't result in just one or two vents flowing low. This would lead me to believe that replacing the filter wont impact your problem at all. I would say you have some other issue like the "flaps" that you previously stated.

If it makes you feel any better. My X also blows stronger on the passenger side. If yours is configured the same way, the cabin air filter is on the passenger side a very short distance away from the passenger vent. I think the difference in distance and the way the vents are designed/routed may have something to do with this. There may not be any actual problem. It may just be a result from the design.

Hmm. Some of the settings I changed helped, but for the longest time I had my side pegged at 60, while my wife's was 70, with her occasionally turning her center vent towards me. Just seems like something is off. I'm significantly more warm blooded than her and since it's been around 90 here for the past couple days I guess I'm just jealous that her side cools considerably faster than mine.

I was hoping on a whim that maybe one side of the filter was more clogged than another, affecting flow. I'm replacing it anyways because when I replaced my E36's at 150k+ it was beyond disgusting. Hoping these have been changed at some point.

FYI I recently replaced mine on a '12 X5, at ~38k miles, and when I saw how clean the old one was I wished I hadn't spent the money.

I have over 140k miles on ours, so I think there's a possibility for a little more dirt in there :)

There is a dial on each vent to restrict the air flow. Perhaps throttling down one side would make a difference?

With the passenger side full closed I get what I consider the correct amount of flow. In between, not much change.

Filters are due to be dropped off today so I can update once I get those in.

Any luck? I'm having the same issues. Don't thinks it's the filters?.

Unfortunately haven't had time. We should be sticking around home this weekend so I think I'll have time.

Not sure if it's the same problem but left center vent blows cold and the right center vent blows hot air. Any thoughts?


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