Any good replacement for MD2030 air filter

[Lyra]

The air filter of the MD2030 is a cylindrical "sock" made of some kind of sponge, pulled over a spring which holds its shape.
A very poor design - the sponge literally disintegrates within a few years and also gets torn at the line where the band hold it over the inlet hose.
Anybody found or improvised a good replacement for this?
I thought of pressing the spring into the inlet hose and pulling on it 2-3 layers of women nylon socks.

[MarkTheBike]

I'm with you on this, Lyra. It's a bloody disgrace that a new one costs over 30 quid. I almost blew a gasket. Actually, your idea might have some legs to it (ahem) but I think it would need a little plastic or stainless 'cage' to stop any fabric being sucked into the engine. Anyone got any ideas?

[tiger79]

There's so little dust and dirt in a typical engine bay that an air filter is hardly required.

[Salty]

You could try a K&N filter, though I've heard (no pun intended) that the intake sound is a little more throaty.

[Lyra]

but I think it would need a little plastic or stainless 'cage' to stop any fabric being sucked into the engine. Anyone got any ideas?

Well, there is nothing today which blocks the disintegrating sponge particles.
I guess I will give it a try (the filter elements come for free very often 

[landes_h]

As tiger79 mentioned, in the engine bay is so little dessert sand that an air filter is rather unnecessary.
I sailed my old Elan 33 for 20 years without airfilter, no problem what so ever. No black or white engine smoke, all good.
Considering Volvo spares prices, one item less to waste money on.

[Bavchi32]

Last week I just finished a full service feeling quite pleased with myself as everything had gone well. I thought what about the air cleaner, so as the manual says I carefully washed it in soapy water, only to find it fell apart in my hands.
 
With the spring and useless foam in hand, I went to the marina Volvo dealer and asked for a replacement foam, to be told it comes with the spring and it's £30. I had no choice but pay up.
I walked out hoping that this foam has some special coating on it to catch debris, when really I knew it looked like a piece of foam packaging from something you've ordered from Amazon.

Its really awful

[Lyra]

I walked out hoping that this foam has some special coating on it to catch debris, when really I knew it looked like a piece of foam packaging from something you've ordered from Amazon.

Next time you get something from Amazon - keep the foam - it's probably of better quality than what the filter is made of  .

[The Other Woman]

I agree with Salty! I have had this filter on for 3 years now and no problems got it off Ebay. Just give it a clean once a year, and it was under a £5 Happy Days

[Lyra]

Can check this weekend at the boat, but if you remember of the top of your head - is the OD of the hose on the engine 46mm?

[Salty]

On my MD2020 D, the outside diameter of the air inlet pipe to which the filter has to be attached, is 66mm. Your 2030 will most likely be either the same or larger. However, I've just looked at the Keypart website, and they list the identical part number (3580509R) for both the MD2020 D engine on my boat and your MD2030, and that would suggest that your air inlet pipe is the same size as that on my engine.

[Lyra]

Thanks Salty.

[The Other Woman]

Hi All

I have a number of PMs regarding where I found the site for my filter, but has its over 3 years now there is no history in my accounts.
I have done a search as promised and have found a number of filters with the same reducers that I had in my set.
Just to get you started here is a item number I found,

eBay item number:
221835331624

I am sure you will be able to find some a bit cheaper
Good Luck
Mick

[Odysseus]

Replaced . Mine with vacuum air intake mesh. Just sew it up around spring. Cost nothing.been on 3 years.

Odysseus
Bav38

[Salty]

On my MD2020 D, the outside diameter of the air inlet pipe to which the filter has to be attached, is 66mm. Your 2030 will most likely be either the same or larger. However, I've just looked at the Keypart website, and they list the identical part number (3580509R) for both the MD2020 D engine on my boat and your MD2030, and that would suggest that your air inlet pipe is the same size as that on my engine.

You could try this one for size, just lifted off eBay a few minutes ago.

[Ripster]

I tried as K&N filter (very similar mini-cone type) on my D130S and whilst it ran fine and fitted perfectly, the induction noise was signiificantly higher and I took it back off in favour of the original which on mine is an airbox arrangement.