Ventilation Baskets

NYC6 · 09-14-2010, 01:37 PM

These things are driving me nuts. The little intake vent baskets under the hood beneath the hood hinges. Mine get blocked with leaf debris in a week or two. I try to clean them out by hand the best I can but they're positioned where its hard to get at them. After I get as much as I can I lift out the baskets carefully and crap fall down into the void. Over time that stuff is gonna rot and cause blockage. Who has a good way of cleaning them out?

Simsims · 09-14-2010, 01:46 PM

I'm more worried about the dents on my radiator/intercooler.
Damn rocks.

Have you tried fabricating a custom vaccum nozzle to suck it all out?

ianc · 09-14-2010, 03:23 PM

Don't park under trees, or clean more frequently.

If you're still worried, you could drag the garden hose over and flush them out after cleaning...

ianc

TP 135i · 09-14-2010, 05:37 PM

Carefully lift out and dump
or...Vacuum them out

Both ways work fine

ErvGotti · 09-14-2010, 07:28 PM

A good vacuum usually works for me.

fwmcb · 09-14-2010, 09:23 PM

Yes, they are annoying, but still it's nice to be able to clean them out... I don't think the dings in the rad are a big deal, all cars get them.

jhuber · 09-14-2010, 09:57 PM

You could always hit with a pressure washer at the car wash if they are that bad. I live in a neighborhood with plenty of trees and have no trouble cleaning out the vents every 2 weeks though, maybe make sure its dry and vacume

NYC6 · 09-14-2010, 10:17 PM

thanks for all the tips

M34lnch · 09-15-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC6

These things are driving me nuts. The little intake vent baskets under the hood beneath the hood hinges. Mine get blocked with leaf debris in a week or two. I try to clean them out by hand the best I can but they're positioned where its hard to get at them. After I get as much as I can I lift out the baskets carefully and crap fall down into the void. Over time that stuff is gonna rot and cause blockage. Who has a good way of cleaning them out?

I have the same problem. What function do these vents serve?

Itanius · 09-15-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M34lnch

I have the same problem. What function do these vents serve?

They're only for water drainage.

NYC6 · 09-15-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itanius

They're only for water drainage.

Is that what they are? I guessed they were interior ventilation intakes.

Itanius · 09-15-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC6

Is that what they are? I guessed they were interior ventilation intakes.

No, those are under the giant filter assembly at the base of the windshield.

NYC6 · 09-15-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itanius

No, those are under the giant filter assembly at the base of the windshield.

Thanks, you learned me somethin.

Im relieved a bit. At least crap wont be rotting down there and blowing molded air in the cabin and getting caught up in the fan assembly.

Bimmer-Bob · 09-22-2010, 09:50 PM

Does anyone know what these traps are protecting? Like where the vents lead to? I was cleaning them out and one of the baskets tipped and dumped some debris down the hole - d'oh!

Just wondering if I should be concerned or not...

JHZR2 · 09-22-2010, 10:54 PM

It is more critical if they are drain holes... Otherwise depending upon location (im not looking at my car right now so cant place their spot in my mind), you could get bad things like water in the floorboards...

I like the vacuum approach myself. More positive of a way to get as much junk out as possible. I'd recommend someone do a flow test on these drains and see where they come out, so they can be cleaned from the output side too.

And for those who can't seem to vacuum their cars because they live in an apartment or similar - here is a tip. Go buy a dewalt "nano" tool kit, like their 1/2" 18V drill or impact driver. Then, go get their wet/dry vac. It can run both off of wall power or the same battery, and it is powerful with that battery... And you can take it anywhere.

sunking420 · 09-23-2010, 07:25 AM

A shop-vac is my best friend. I use it for the interior as well....

BrokenVert · 09-23-2010, 07:55 AM

I vaccum them. I live on a treelined Street in a treelined driveway and they fill up pretty quickly

rsjean · 09-23-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC6

Thanks, you learned me somethin.

Im relieved a bit. At least crap wont be rotting down there and blowing molded air in the cabin and getting caught up in the fan assembly.

No, the molded air comes from the standard vent rot that BMW's have been plagued with as far back as I can remember.

AntonV · 09-23-2010, 12:41 PM

keep those drainage areas clean! in my 328is, one of the drain holes in the sunroof area got clogged by decomposing leaves, and every time I hit the brakes, water would pour on my head. with the sunroof open, of course.

Sit · 09-23-2010, 10:55 PM

Didn't know what you guys were talking about so I went out and checked ours. Driver's side, the basket was pushed down in the hole vertically, pulled it out and fit it so it sits flush with opening. Passenger side, not even in the hole, sitting behind it doing nothing............go figure.

09-14-2010, 01:37 PM	#1
NYC6 Banned 72 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY iTrader: (0)	Ventilation Baskets These things are driving me nuts. The little intake vent baskets under the hood beneath the hood hinges. Mine get blocked with leaf debris in a week or two. I try to clean them out by hand the best I can but they're positioned where its hard to get at them. After I get as much as I can I lift out the baskets carefully and crap fall down into the void. Over time that stuff is gonna rot and cause blockage. Who has a good way of cleaning them out?
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09-14-2010, 01:46 PM	#2
Simsims Captain 37 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 119/220 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	I'm more worried about the dents on my radiator/intercooler. Damn rocks. Have you tried fabricating a custom vaccum nozzle to suck it all out? __________________ VO 1M - everything except sunroof RIP BSM 135i 2009-2011
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09-14-2010, 03:23 PM	#3
ianc Ex '87 Carrera 248 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redwood Shores, California iTrader: (0)	Don't park under trees, or clean more frequently. If you're still worried, you could drag the garden hose over and flush them out after cleaning... ianc __________________ "I will tell you there is a big difference between driving money and driving blood, sweat and tears." - PorscheGuy79 "I got 328 loaner and was impressed with performance. It feels much faster than my 135i." - MOCKBA
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09-14-2010, 05:37 PM	#4
TP 135i Major 29 Rep 1,340 Posts Drives: 2008 135i SGM MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Finksburg, Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 Acura Integra SE [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i [0.00] 2006 Porsche Cayman S [0.00] 1999 Toyota 4-Runner [0.00]	Carefully lift out and dump or...Vacuum them out Both ways work fine __________________ 2008 135i SGM
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09-14-2010, 07:28 PM	#5
ErvGotti Major 124 Rep 1,362 Posts Drives: 2008 135i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aviano iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 135i [6.00]	A good vacuum usually works for me.
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09-14-2010, 09:23 PM	#6
fwmcb Major 31 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: 2015 F30 328i X-drive Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NB iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 128i [0.00]	Yes, they are annoying, but still it's nice to be able to clean them out... I don't think the dings in the rad are a big deal, all cars get them.
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09-14-2010, 09:57 PM	#7
jhuber Lieutenant 66 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leavenworth, KS iTrader: (2)	You could always hit with a pressure washer at the car wash if they are that bad. I live in a neighborhood with plenty of trees and have no trouble cleaning out the vents every 2 weeks though, maybe make sure its dry and vacume
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09-14-2010, 10:17 PM	#8
NYC6 Banned 72 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY iTrader: (0)	thanks for all the tips
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09-22-2010, 09:50 PM	#14
Bimmer-Bob ! 708 Rep 3,268 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco (U ... [0.00] 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.33]	Does anyone know what these traps are protecting? Like where the vents lead to? I was cleaning them out and one of the baskets tipped and dumped some debris down the hole - d'oh! Just wondering if I should be concerned or not...
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09-22-2010, 10:54 PM	#15
JHZR2 Major 75 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	It is more critical if they are drain holes... Otherwise depending upon location (im not looking at my car right now so cant place their spot in my mind), you could get bad things like water in the floorboards... I like the vacuum approach myself. More positive of a way to get as much junk out as possible. I'd recommend someone do a flow test on these drains and see where they come out, so they can be cleaned from the output side too. And for those who can't seem to vacuum their cars because they live in an apartment or similar - here is a tip. Go buy a dewalt "nano" tool kit, like their 1/2" 18V drill or impact driver. Then, go get their wet/dry vac. It can run both off of wall power or the same battery, and it is powerful with that battery... And you can take it anywhere.
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09-23-2010, 07:25 AM	#16
sunking420 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 334 Posts Drives: '08 SGM 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Flagler Beach, Florida iTrader: (0)	A shop-vac is my best friend. I use it for the interior as well....
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09-23-2010, 07:55 AM	#17
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 478 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I vaccum them. I live on a treelined Street in a treelined driveway and they fill up pretty quickly __________________
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09-23-2010, 12:41 PM	#19
AntonV Lieutenant 39 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Sedona/Savanna 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	keep those drainage areas clean! in my 328is, one of the drain holes in the sunroof area got clogged by decomposing leaves, and every time I hit the brakes, water would pour on my head. with the sunroof open, of course. __________________ 2009 135i Coupe - Sedona Red Metallic - Savanna Beige - 6MT- ///M Sports Package - Boston Leather - Power/Heated Seats 2005 BMW F650 GS - Mandarin Yellow - Farkled
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09-23-2010, 10:55 PM	#20
Sit New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Didn't know what you guys were talking about so I went out and checked ours. Driver's side, the basket was pushed down in the hole vertically, pulled it out and fit it so it sits flush with opening. Passenger side, not even in the hole, sitting behind it doing nothing............go figure.
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