How To Replace Or Add A Cabin Filter

[93 sable]

Here's a simple how to on the removal and replacement or addition of the cabin filter on a 4th gen taurus, but it's pretty close to the same on a 3rd gen.

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/cabfilter/step1.jpg' alt='' width='800' height='600' class='attach' />
Step 1, remove the 4 highlited retaining clips and remove the upper cowl piece. Try to pry up on the clips instead of just pulling them straight out, as they bite into the plastic and if you pull them straight out it rips up the plastic.

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/cabfilter/step2.jpg' alt='' width='800' height='600' class='attach' />
Remove the 3 circled bolts for the lower cowl piece, and pull it straight out towards you. This is not necessary but it makes taking out the upper plastic shield and the filter easier.

Next remove the 2 bolts for the upper plastic shield over the filter, once they're removed pull the shield to the right and the pull it out towards you. You've got to pull it to the right first or else the lip on the left of the shield won't clear the shock tower. It's not too visible in the picture though.

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/cabfilter/step3.jpg' alt='' width='800' height='600' class='attach' />
Highlighted, is where the cabin filter will be, I already removed mine before I got my camera, so if your car has no filter in it, then this is exactly what you'll bee looking at in this step. Before you remove the filter, get out your vacuum and clean out all the leaves, tree seeds, pine needles and dirt from around the filter so it won't fall in when you remove it. The filter is only pressed in place, there are no clips or anything so simply pull out the old one.

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/cabfilter/step4.jpg' alt='' width='800' height='600' class='attach' />
Close up the the mount and the screen. If your AC stinks like ass when you first turn it on, take this step to turn the car and the ac on and then spray a bunch of Lysol into the air intake. Immediately turn the mode selector to the off position when your done and shut off the car, this will keep the lysol soaked ac evaporator wet with lysol and it'll do a better job of killing bacteria.

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/cabfilter/step5.jpg' alt='' width='800' height='600' class='attach' />
Finished!, new filter is in, I don't have pics of the old one, but it was NASTY, all the pleats where stuffed with dirt, tree seeds and all sorts of crap. I highlited some holes, there are corresponding clips on the upper cowl piece, make sure they're alighed with the holes before you try to push it back on, or you could break them off.

Now you've got a clean cabin filter, or it's the first one your car has had, enjoy breathing better inside your car.

[Midnight00SE]

Thanks for this writeup. I can't wait to do mine sometime soon.

[crackhead]

do u know if there is a way to add a cabin filter to a gen2?

[godspunk32]

Originally posted by crackhead@Apr 24 2005, 06:21 PM
do u know if there is a way to add a cabin filter to a gen2?

Doubtful. The routing of the air intake lines is probably completely different. I guess if you could find the intake, you could fit some sort of filter on there, but I don't know how well it would work, or how difficult it would be to change.

JR

[millermagic]

Good guide. It's hard trying to figure that out going from the service manual
q

[93 sable]

Originally posted by crackhead@Apr 24 2005, 06:21 PM
do u know if there is a way to add a cabin filter to a gen2?

I'd take the cowl apart and see what the opening for the air intake is like and try to find a small air filter at an auto parts store that will fit in there, and use plastic or something to make up for the difference for a custom fit, it won't be drop in though, if there was no option for one from the factory.

[thegoose]

Could this be added to the how-to section?

[midday]

Cool write up.
I am planning to replace my cabin filter in a 2002 Taurus. I also am aware of the possible leaks as noted in service bulletin 04-15-3 "water in the blower case".

This bulletin says "visually inspect the cowl vent screen located under the RH windshield wiper to verify if the screen if fully seated. Inspect the rubber seal on the vent screen which should be fully seated against the windshield. If the cowl vent screen in not fully seated and appears warped, it must be replaced (4F1Z-54018A16-BAA)."

What is the cowl vent screen? is it in the pictures in this thread? If it is the black plastic which covers the bottom of the windshield, mine is warped, but since it has alot of air slots in it, it cannot be a water seal at all, unless I am missing something.

I will attach the Service Bulletin .

[holedigger]

That may explain your problem. While there are slots in the cowl to admit air, they are not near the air intake/filter region. The cowl piece has a seal that presses against the windshield and if water gets past that, it can pour directly into the air intake duct.

[kolcun]

under the cowl on the gen 2's

theres an intake or at least it appears to be one
its covered in a cage of plastic
although, if you dremel'd that out you might be able to cut a filter to fit
long shot