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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

Could this be added to the how-to section?

 

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 .

 

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.

 

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

 

Just replaced my cabin air filter on my 2002. Some differences from the pictures above. The plastic shield just above the filter apparently called the rain hat and is different on mine. I hope it shields better. It does not have the two bolts holding it and is more sharp edged.
Upper and lower cowl pieces are already removed to get to the cabin air filter.

 

Here are some close up pics. I do not have the rain hat extension which is in the SB04153.

 

A plastic tab holds the rain hat nearer the center of the car. I am pulling up on the rain hat to show more detail. Note alot of overspray.

 

Originally posted by midday@Jul 23 2005, 11:30 AM
Here are some close up pics. I do not have the rain hat extension which is in the SB04153.

where you able to get the rain cap fully off? i've released the clip on the cap(towards the center of the windshield) but i don't seem to be able to get the cap off and out the area, i'm a little nervous about breaking it and i'm sure its worth(or costs at least) 40 bucks or so.

 

one other thing, will you get the ford extension to the rain cap? if so will you post the picture? a couple of views would be great, that is if you would be so kind, was your car repainted, i don't have any over spray on the rain cap on my car.

 

Some comments about: Cabin Filter, Rain Hat and Cowl Leak: No I did not remove the Rain Hat. Service manual says remove 2 screws. I did not find any screws for the Rain Hat. I did not need to remove the rain hat in order to replace the cabin air filter.

According to TSB 04-15-3

Parts needed by name and part number to do the repair:
Most parts prices from
http://www.parts.com/partlocator/index.cfm...M&siteid=213787

See diagram of cowl parts here:

http://www.parts.com/partlocator/index.cfm...t=2&catalogid=2

Some prices:
Blower motor 1F1Z-19805-AA parts.com: $73.27 Rock Auto price $54

Resistor F6DZ-19A706-AA parts.com: $10.70

Rainhat Seal 4F1Z-54022A54-AA parts.com: $15.08

Cowl Panel 4F1Z-54018A16-BAA parts.com: $24.54

Total WITHOUT SHIPPING $123.59

Clear Silicone Rubber TA-32 $4.85

Have not done the fix myself as my blower motor still works. I may work to improve the seal near the windshield.


Parts below:
1) Cowl top panel 2) Vent screen Right 3) Extension Right
4) Water shield 5) Drain tube 6) Dash panel
7) Crossmember 8) Reinforcement Brake master cyl 9) Reinforcement Dash

 

humm this the base for the filter it lookk like a my hole on my 94 bull

they look the same

humm ill use a filter from a 98 and see if it fit just in case ?

 

Originally posted by holedigger@Jul 19 2005, 03:17 PM
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.

Yes the cowl to windshield seal is important, and the way to get the best seal is to remove all the rectangular holders for the plastic screws and install #8 metal U nuts and #8X1" metal phillips washer head screws. Got mine at the local car audio place.

 

best seal is to remove all the rectangular holders for the plastic screws and install #8 metal U nuts and #8X1" metal phillips washer head screws

Is yours a Gen 3? My 2002 does not have screws securing the Cowl Panel also known as Cowl Vent Screen part number 4F1Z-54018A16-BAA which is the right part number 2 in the exploded diagram of the cowl.

My thought was to try silicone sealer between the windshield and the Cowl Panel to seal where there are no slots where water is supposed to go.

 

Yes, mine's a 97. I guess it's part number one on your diagram, but anyways the cowl cover panels are what the wiper shafts poke thru.

 

Very cool! I have been trying to figure out how to get at that filter for several weeks now. Thanks!

 

These filters also extend the life of the blower fan by keeping the crap off the fan.

 

Originally posted by herbie@Sep 17 2005, 05:56 PM
These filters also extend the life of the blower fan by keeping the crap off the fan.

They also keep stuff from collecting in front of your ac evaporator. I've seen evaporators removed from cars with no cabin filters and they're nasty. Leaves pine needles and bugs collect on them and biodegrade into dirt and mud like stuff which collects and holds moisture, causing smells and helps rot away the evaporator.

First thing I did when I got my 05 was to make sure it had a cabin filter installed, which it did.

 

Hey dude, I appreciate you posting how to change the
filter, mine is FILTHY! I need to get a new one.
The motor in my blower just went out, and I bought a new one and installed it myself today (only 3 measly bolts!). Why in the world would anyone pay $65 to have the dealer turn 3 bolts?!

Anyway, the motor was VERY RUSTY. My motor stopped working the other day (my 2002 ses has 72k on it) so I replaced this motor. it was SUPER RUSTY!

Anyway, how in the heck is all that water getting in
the vent system and into the motor?

Here is what I did AFTER I replaced the motor. What was insulating the cheapo filter assembly where it meets the sheet metal (the part the filter slips INTO) around the bottom had some cheapo "foam" to keep out the water. I got some clear silicone, and ran a nice wide bead all around this foam (I think the foam was letting water in!) and I also removed the "white tape" on top of the filter cover, and filled it with a thin bead of silicone. I hope this is all that I needed to do!
I did NOT buy the "hat", because they wanted to sell me the WHOLE COWL for $30, not just the hat. Do you need to add the HAT to keep the rain out? If so, I will get it at another dealer.

Anyway, I think this will keep the water out of the vent system (one can only HOPE!) But I must confess, the cheapo foam they had around the filter body (where the plastic filter holder meets the sheet metal) looked awful crappy, and didnt look like it would keep ANY rain/water out, so I added this thin bead of silicone all around the sheet metal where the plastic filter holder meets it.

And more advice? Thanks for your post!

 

Originally posted by midday@Jul 23 2005, 11:25 AM
Just replaced my cabin air filter on my 2002.  Some differences from the pictures above.  The plastic shield just above the filter apparently called the rain hat and is different on mine.  I hope it shields better.  It does not have the two bolts holding it and is more sharp edged.
Upper and lower cowl pieces are already removed to get to the cabin air filter.

You car is very similar with mine. White color and the picture your showed is exact same as mine. The only difference is your car looks much cleaner than mine.

You can buy this carbin air filter ( Ford calls it pollen filter) at autozone or at oreilly auto parts (www.oreillyauto.com). WIX part(part number 24773) costs 18$ and motorcraft OEM part (Part number FP54)  costs 17$. If you want to spend more, you can buy it  Bosch charcoal one which costs 24$ from autozone. One kind of cabin air filter is particulate and expensive one is charcoal, don't know if there is big difference.

Acutally I just removed the upper cowl piece and then insert the air filter, but if your hand is not small I guess you have to take off the lower cowl piece either.

After I changed the carbin airfilter and tested it by starting the car and turn on air condition, the familiar odor is gone. Before I read this article, I even don't know I need to change cabin air filter, although everytime I turned on my AC, in the first few seconds I always feel uncomfatable for unknow reason.  :angry:

Just replaced my cabin air filter on my 2002. Some differences from the pictures above. The plastic shield just above the filter apparently called the rain hat and is different on mine. I hope it shields better. It does not have the two bolts holding it and is more sharp edged.
Upper and lower cowl pieces are already removed to get to the cabin air filter.

 

I'm a bit confused by looking at the pictures I have an 05 Taurus, what tools would I need to open up the cowl panel? :blink: