Changing Cabin Air Filter...

[imported_Luster]

This would really fall in the category of "Vehicle Maintenance" rather than detailing. But I thought it would be helpful.

I would highly recommend this "mod" (Haha). I call it a mod because hardly anyone ever does it!!! ;D

I have been having some pretty bad smells coming through the A/C vents. Someone told me to change the CA filter because it can collect mildew, mold, dirt etc.

I'm actually embarassed to show the the "before" pictures. But here they are!!!

Open the hood and remove the two plastic clips that hold down the plastic cowel cover.

Pull the wiper back and carefully pull the cowl cover up on the windshield.

This will reveal another black plastic cover that seals the Air Filter.
Remove it. (no hardware to remove)

The removal of the plastic cover will reveal a (most-likely) NASTY Cabin Air Filter. Mine was fill of dust, dirt, pollen, BLACK MILDEW, mold, leaves, etc. I bought the car about 9 months ago and never changed the filter! (lesson learned).

Now replace the CAF into it's position, making sure it "snaps" down into its casing.

I cleaned the lower cover with Tire Foam (I use TF for everything plastic or rubber. Has some pretty good cleaning power!) Then put it back in place.

I then replaced the cowl cover and snapped in the plastic clips to hold it in place.

Once everything was back together I sprayed some PB B&B Tire Dressing on a pad and wiped down the black cowl and rubber seals to give it a finished look.

And the money shot.

A/C now smells like sweet fresh air!!!

 

[TOGWT]

Great How-To (hint, hint)

As a replacement the micronAir? carbon enhanced filter ensure optimum protection from particulate and gaseous pollutants. Gaseous pollutants and odours bond to the surface of the activated carbon. Upstream of the carbon, our proprietary, high efficiency particle filter material traps pollens, dust and other airborne pollutants - http://www.micronair.us/how-they-work.php

 

[imported_Luster]

Great How-To (hint, hint)

I started to put it in "How-To's", but after reading the description of the section, it only refer's to detailing how-to's, so I put it in "Everything Else".:redface:

Admins... you can move it if you so choose.

 

[admin_old]

Luster:
I have no problem with it being here.
Seems to work well right here where it is.

Admin

 

[D!Tailed]

I have been having some pretty bad smells coming through the A/C vents. Someone told me to change the CA filter because it can collect mildew, mold, dirt etc.

...

A/C now smells like sweet fresh air!!!

Glad it worked!:thumbup:

"someone" aka D!

 

[imported_Luster]

Luster:
I have no problem with it being here.
Seems to work well right here where it is.

Admin

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[imported_Asphalt Rocket]

That should take care of most of your problem, did you spray any deodorizer in there before replacing the filter. That is the first I have seen outside of the car, then again I only service foreign cars, besides my vette.

 

[imported_Luster]

That should take care of most of your problem, did you spray any deodorizer in there before replacing the filter. .

Since I, pretty much saturated the vents with disinfectant prior to changing the filter, I didn't spray anything further in there.

The CA filter actually smelled TERRIBLE! That's definitely where the smell was coming from!:wink:

 

[imported_Asphalt Rocket]

It's amazing what those filters look look and smell like just in 6 months, glad your problem is solved.

 

[qballjr13]

Thats a lot of work to get to. The few that I have done can be accessed through the glove box and take about 3 minutes to change (funny how the dealer typically wants $100+ to do this). Good write up and it does make a huge difference with the quality of air in the cabin.

 

[imported_Luster]

...it does make a huge difference with the quality of air in the cabin.

In the 97-03 Pontiac Grand Prix's, there is a housing for a CAF. But Pontiac decided to never install them to save money for each car sold!ut:

So you have to purchase the filter at the Auto Parts store for a 97-03 Buick Regal, which has the same chassis and guts, and therefore, the same size filter.:huh:

["They don't need a Cabin Air Filter. These are Pontiac people; they don't care if their air is clean or dirty. Just drive through any trailer park... all the windows are down!" - - - CEO of GM Design.]

 

[Jack Kruer]

Nice article Bill, I am about to change mine. Fortunately, you access it through a door under the dash.
jk

 

[imported_Slik560]

I planned on changing the cabin filter on my 560SL....but then I found out it does not have one. Time to check the other cars, though.

 

[RustyBumper]

Thanks for starting this thread Luster. After reading this thread I went to the local parts store and got prices for them. I also asked the person who was helping me how many filters my wifes car took and where they were located. She said she didn't know but knew someone who might. She called a friend of hers who works at a tire store and he told her that they were located in the middle of the dash and were hard to hard to get to. He said that he would be able to change really cheap. He said that he would do it for twenty dollars. I told her thanks but no thanks and left. I came home, looked it up online, and when pay day comes on Friday I'll save myself twenty bucks. The hard to reach filters are located behind the glovebox. Slide out the retaining rollers, open the box and replace the filters. I guess they thought they had an easy customer when they saw me walk in. lol.