The Mysterious Cabin Air Filter - Page 3

cowboybilly9mile · #31 06-13-2014, 04:19 PM

It would be nice if you had a gauge set, were able to hook them up, replicate the problem in your driveway and see pressures when the problem begins. It would also (no gauges required) be nice to know if the compressor stops running after that 15 minutes elapses.

*A long shot, but if you have a bunch of crud (bugs etc) plugging the condenser, this will drive up pressure on the high side (immediately downstream from the compressor) and if your vehicle has a high pressure cutout it will cut off power to the compressor clutch until the pressure drops. This is where the gauges come into the pic; alternatively you could thoroughly clean it.

GLH · #32 06-13-2014, 05:52 PM

Sure is humid in Hawaii.

SurfRash · #33 06-14-2014, 06:12 PM

Thank you Bill! Wow, you really know your stuff. Although, after the first sentence it all sounded like another language to me. It sounded Filipino, lol. Just kidding, but thanks for your informative response. I'll try an educate myself about the subjects you've mentioned.

GLH - YES! it's been super hot and humid here. Driving in traffic for an hour in this weather is terrible when you don't have A/C.

As for anyone else still wondering about the Cabin Air Filter, I would listen to all the knowledgeable people on this thread that say "There is none".

mfernandes · #34 04-22-2017, 01:06 PM

Hello there.
Im sorry to bring this old thread back again, but I found this on eBay:

Its claims to be for 1998-2003 Rangers.

I have an a/c evaporator plenum box in my garage. After I searched for it I compared to the one in the image, and they are identical (except for the evaporator core tubings and vent resistor). The plastic assy is exactly the same and this one clearly shows an cabin filter fitted.
The seller claims to be 100% original Ford.

I guess a couple of us wont sleep today searching for an answer!!!!

cowboybilly9mile · #35 04-22-2017, 02:30 PM

So I got curious, even though my MY is newer. Went and looked, dropped the glove box, flipped the system on AC max, and it looks like there could be/is a slot for this air filter. But a more pressing question would be one concerning replacing the filter. Say it isn't so, but.....removal (maybe) of the blower and motor? Unless there was a filter inclusion and replacement provision made to the HVAC system for MY 1995 and up vehicles used in select markets around the globe, I don't see another way.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mfernandes

Hello there.
Im sorry to bring this old thread back again, but I found this on eBay:

Its claims to be for 1998-2003 Rangers.

I have an a/c evaporator plenum box in my garage. After I searched for it I compared to the one in the image, and they are identical (except for the evaporator core tubings and vent resistor). The plastic assy is exactly the same and this one clearly shows an cabin filter fitted.
The seller claims to be 100% original Ford.

I guess a couple of us wont sleep today searching for an answer!!!!

I'm looking at pics of the filter, an evap box and under my hood, and it really seems like it fits in a cavity accessed by removing the blower motor. Install by sliding the filter into this cavity; the two horizontal edges of the filter are made to "collapse" during install and the two vertical ones do not. Those two tabs, they stop the filter from rattling around in the "cavity", and this would all make sense if one looks at the pic of the filter and under their hood.

So my question to you is this, if you were to look at the construction of the filter and see how it looks to be made to deform quite a bit during install, then expand back to size, the tabs and all that, and as you look at your evap box in your garage and which will have this "cavity" that I made reference to, does what I just said about the fit and install process seem logical?

mfernandes · #36 04-22-2017, 02:48 PM

I see your point.
Tomorrow I will shoot some pics at the evaporator housing as well as the under dash ac plenum. Since I've got both out of the truck is much easier.
But, yes. The only way I can figure it out is to remove the blower motor, squeeze the filter through the hole and let it expand.

Convict1997 · #37 04-22-2017, 05:08 PM

An extremely dirty cabin filter could cause a lack of sufficient airflow across the evaporator coil. No airflow means no heat transfer into the refrigerant, freezing coil, etc.

Which could what's happening with yours. Could be blowing cold until the coil freezes and stops transferring heat. Most typical causes of freezing are lack of airflow or low refrigerant charge.

cowboybilly9mile · #38 04-22-2017, 05:11 PM

Thanks. I crawled under the vehicle and got back under the dash and dropped the glove box door and really studied it in more detail. I see no other way to install the filter other than remove the blower and motor. And FWIW, the most painful way would be an attempt inside the vehicle (so hopeless, don't even try). I don't think more pics would better the cause unless for some reason non-north America vehicles happened to have an access door somewhere.

*** I do have a plan B idea....look on ebay at the cabin air filters, go to the sold listings from US sellers, contact seller, ask him what they know and if they know nothing, ask if they would be so kind as to ask one of their buyers what they installed the filter in and how they did it. Or plan C...sometime, I may just buy a filter and go for it. It's only a $20 experiment.

mfernandes · #39 04-22-2017, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboybilly9mile

Thanks. I crawled under the vehicle and got back under the dash and dropped the glove box door and really studied it in more detail. I see no other way to install the filter other than remove the blower and motor. And FWIW, the most painful way would be an attempt inside the vehicle (so hopeless, don't even try). I don't think more pics would better the cause unless for some reason non-north America vehicles happened to have an access door somewhere.

*** I do have a plan B idea....look on ebay at the cabin air filters, go to the sold listings from US sellers, contact seller, ask him what they know and if they know nothing, ask if they would be so kind as to ask one of their buyers what they installed the filter in and how they did it. Or plan C...sometime, I may just buy a filter and go for it. It's only a $20 experiment.

I like plan C!
Tomorrow I'll upload detailed pictures

cowboybilly9mile · #40 05-28-2017, 08:57 AM

Update......

Cabin air filter is no longer a mystery.

mfernandes · #41 05-28-2017, 01:20 PM

There you go!!!!

The cabin air filter myth was, until now, like the fenix, impossible to catch.

Question is, if I want to add the filter, how should it be done?

cowboybilly9mile · #42 05-28-2017, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfernandes

There you go!!!!

The cabin air filter myth was, until now, like the fenix, impossible to catch.

Question is, if I want to add the filter, how should it be done?

See your PM's. Getting the filter through that hole sorta sucked, and the FSM wasn't of much value, it didn't really have a good, functional proceedure; I had to go for it, damage my filter, and make a part to to finish the job. Trial and error and screw around with it until it goes in; next time will probably be easier.

MaDMaXX · #43 07-31-2017, 10:23 AM

Any chance you could post any more info or pics of you cramming the filter in place?

cowboybilly9mile · #44 08-01-2017, 01:28 PM

What exactly, did you want to see?

MaDMaXX · #45 08-01-2017, 01:39 PM

I guess the location you stuffed it? (did you use the filter speced for the EV model?)