Pollen Filter: Activated Carbon vs. Paper

Hello everyone,

Since my "wonderful" workshop didn't have the pollen filter in stock during the inspection, and I was planning to change it myself anyway, here's a question for everyone:

What are your experiences with these activated carbon filters?

I am particularly interested in the airflow rate, effectiveness, and lifespan.

What's important to me is that the filter has a very good pollen filtration capability, because I suffer quite a bit from pollen allergies in the summer, and I want to ensure that the pollen stays trapped within the filter.

And: Where is the best place to buy activated charcoal?

Best regards,

Jan.

hello jan,

While I can't fully help you, perhaps I can share my experiences as someone who suffers from hay fever.

I've only ever used paper filters before. They were already quite expensive. I changed them once a year in early spring, before all the trouble started! And except for a few days during peak pollen season, I at least had some peace and quiet in the car. According to the recommended replacement interval, the pollen filter should be changed every 15,000 km, which is with every oil change. But that seems excessive to me! However, I have to say that the filter was quite clogged after a year! You could clearly notice it by the reduced airflow.

I don't have any experience with activated carbon. However, I can imagine that with a little skill and something like an activated carbon filter mat from a drugstore, you could build something similar yourself inexpensively.

Hi,

So far, the paper filter has worked quite well for me (as long as you change it regularly... I didn't replace it at 15,000 km, but I did vacuum it out at 20,000 km, which made a big difference).

My hope is that the activated carbon filters are even better, especially in terms of reducing odors from other cars, etc.

Best regards,

Jan.

Well, as someone who's sensitive to pollen, I can only advise you to use paper towels. These aftermarket air fresheners from companies like Bosch are okay, but you'll smell that stinky, cold catalytic converter coming from the car in front of you just as much with paper towels.
Ozone is mainly absorbed by activated carbon, but I don't live in one of those enclosed cooking spaces yet where I would need it.

Okay, so in the Golf 4 that I tested, after trying out the activated carbon filter, I went back to using regular paper filters. The activated carbon filter got dirty just as quickly as the other one. There wasn't a noticeable improvement in filtration, at least not something you could feel inside the car.

My Octavia originally had an activated carbon filter. These parts simply don't last long, consider the amount of air that passes through it. In other words, the odor filter is not effective for very long. Therefore, a paper filter is now installed, so that the car smells just as bad with the 1-year-old activated carbon filter when outside air is polluted (especially in Zellerau ).

CU Gremlin.

(@julian: especially in the Zellerau area )

Damn, so the smell is actually coming over here, I'll switch things around immediately tomorrow.

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your contributions... that makes things very clear now, and I will get a new paper filter in the spring - but from VW, not from the Seat workshop, which is too incompetent to do an oil change properly. The part actually has a Golf part number even on the Ibiza.

Best regards,

Jan.

Jan6K wrote:

What are your experiences with these activated carbon filters?

Hi Jan,

I've had quite good experiences with the activated carbon filters. The smell of old cars was almost completely filtered out. However, the filter doesn't last as long (so keep the airflow low). You also have to consider that adsorption processes are reversible, meaning that if a substance that is better adsorbed comes into contact with the filter surface, the less well-adsorbed substance will be displaced. Consequently, there can be concentration spikes in the interior. I'm going to build my own filter soon: a pollen filter and a good amount of activated carbon on top... let's see if it works .

haehnlein wrote:

I'm going to build myself one of those filters soon: a pollen filter and a good amount of activated carbon on top... let's see if it works

.

Hi,

Okay, so I took a decent amount of activated charcoal from work and used it to refill my old pollen filter (with about 30,000 km on it) – filling it completely. The airflow wasn't great before, and now it looks even worse (I wanted to try the old one first before buying a new one... well, it only costs 8 Euros at the parts store).

The cleaning results are fantastic. I ran the car immediately after a cold start. The air outside was terrible (smelly ), and nothing could be perceived inside . I even enlisted my girlfriend, because women have more sensitive noses, and sure enough, she didn't smell anything inside either. Now we need to figure out how to increase the airflow. Either enlarge the filter area or remove the air filter altogether. Unfortunately, I don't know how well microparticles (e.g., pollen) will be adsorbed by the charcoal (I am also an allergy sufferer). More tests are coming.

Hi!

I had the original activated carbon filter in my A3. After it reached the end of its lifespan in the fall, I wanted to replace it. Since my dealer didn't have one in stock, I installed a paper filter instead.
I would never do that again; I'd rather wait. You really notice how bad the air quality often is outside. The difference is incredible; I wouldn't have thought it was that significant.
I can only comment on its effectiveness against pollen when the 'season' starts again.

Regards,
Waldi.

Hi,

How long did your activated carbon filter last?

"Im Herbst zu Ende" doesn't really say much about that...

Best regards,

Jan.

Hi!
'Zu Ende' might have been a bit awkwardly phrased. I get the 90,000-mile service, and I replace it every 30,000 miles. I don't stick to the 15,000-mile interval mentioned above (that would be twice a year).

I accidentally found an alternative activated carbon pollen filter in the accessories section.
I discovered this shop and I have to say that so far (before Christmas), I'm very impressed.
I am very satisfied with the product (or service) that [company name] offers.

Informationen finden Sie unter www.eolofilter.it.
Maybe it will help someone or other .

Hi,

I've now installed the new paper filter and filled it with activated carbon (half a bottle of mineral water) to the top. The airflow is significantly better compared to the old filter with activated carbon (as mentioned above). In our Audi, a commercially bought activated carbon filter was installed. I took one apart and noticed that there wasn't much activated carbon inside (the carbon is embedded within the filter material). I prefer my homemade version. This way, you can replace the carbon from time to time (although half a bottle of activated carbon should last for quite some time). The advantage is also that many particles already stick to the carbon and therefore don't end up in the paper filter . However, it's also important to cover things up a bit, otherwise the carbon might fall out .

@haehnlein

Could you please post a photo of the DIY project? It probably looks interesting...

Regards,
Andy.

The pollen season is almost over, and the post is old, but here's a reminder about activated carbon filters:
In my opinion, there are 3 different types.
1. The "Good" version uses a thicker paper that is folded less frequently. It has a thin layer of charcoal, resulting in less filter surface area compared to just using paper. This provides better filtration but clogs more quickly, leading to condensation on the glass when saturated.
2. Eolo filters with an even smaller filter surface area but a 5 mm thicker activated carbon coating, resulting in lower airflow resistance but also making the lens less prone to fogging.
Still provides acceptable airflow even with annual changes.
3. Filters that don't fit properly or have gaps: They are cheap, but dirt may leak around the outside of the filter.
@hähnlein What does the DIY filter do? Does it take pictures?