[jeff465]

My girlfriend has them, so I modified a cabin filter to fit my coupe and her vert. For those who are not familiar with a cabin filter, it's like a furnace filter for your home but for a car or truck. I unscrewed the cowl panel and removed the push pins holding the panel down but did not completely remove the panel because the wiper arms would need to come off. I then propped up the right side of the panel a few inches where the intake screen for the heater and a/c is. I trimmed a piece of cardboard to fit under the screen for a pattern. The pattern looks like a rectangle with one corner notched out for a dog legged corner. I took the cardboard pattern to the local parts store and looked at their selection of cabin filters which are out on the shelf next to the engine air filters. The one I picked is an STP cabin air filter #CAF1862P. Its thinner than most of others on the shelf. I traced the pattern on to the filter and cut it to shape. This won't cure her allergies but should help her cope with some of the pollen out there. When she puts the top down...she on her own (or meds)!

 

[jeff465]

Replaced the cabin filters a couple of weeks ago. They were dirty, lasted about 2 years.

 

[TomatoSoup]

I've thought about this. Noticed that it wouldn't be too difficult to cut something to fit. But my top stays down, pretty much all the time (especially in pollen season), so never went any further with it.

But good for you!

 

[rob the elder]

Nicely done

Did you or she notice any improvement as a result of adding the filter?

 

[jeff465]

She noticed a difference because of her allergies. Every time we would drive past someone mowing grass she would cringe (I like the smell of mowed grass!). I went to a thicker filter this time (deeper pleats) and I can now make 2 filters out of 1 part now:thumbs:. The part # is CAF 1739 (STP), which is for a Volvo.

 

[njtex]

The last vehicle I've owned with a cabin filter was our Chevy Venture minivan. I loved it, especially since we never had dust in the interior and it always remained very clean, In the case of the Venture, the cabin filter was located deep down behind the glove box.

I'd like to try and use your solution for our H3 as well as our Solstice. With your filter mod located in the cowl area, did you ever notice a problem with rain or snow clogging up the works?

 

[jeff465]

The last vehicle I've owned with a cabin filter was our Chevy Venture minivan. I loved it, especially since we never had dust in the interior and it always remained very clean, In the case of the Venture, the cabin filter was located deep down behind the glove box.

I'd like to try and use your solution for our H3 as well as our Solstice. With your filter mod located in the cowl area, did you ever notice a problem with rain or snow clogging up the works?

I forgot to mention that the dust build up in the interior goes down. Thanks for mentioning that! When I wash the cars, the shape of the cowl directs the water towards the pass. wiper pivot where most of it drains. There is a drain on the drivers side of the cowl also. I don't notice much if any on the filter.

 

[mstrjon32]

Do you have a photo of the fitted filter?

 

[jeff465]

Do you have a photo of the fitted filter?

No picture, sorry... The filter fits right under the intake screen on the passenger side of the cowl. My pattern measures: 4 1/2" X 9 5/8" with one corner cut out 1 1/8" X 1 1/8". Hope that helps.

 

[mstrjon32]

jeff465, does it sit parallel to the intake screen, or is it perpendicular? I've always considered fitting a filter there, but the design doesn't really lend itself to not getting the filter soaked when it's wet outside. Every other car I've owned has had a vertically mounted filter with a design that allows for rainwater to drain past the intake where the filter is mounted.

Do you have any concerns about the filter getting soaked?

 

[jeff465]

"the shape of the cowl directs the water towards the pass. wiper pivot where most of it drains. There is a drain on the drivers side of the cowl also. I don't notice much if any on the filter."

 

[mstrjon32]

I guess I get an "F" for reading.

But it does sound like I have a little project for myself during the winter months.

 

[njtex]

In the case of the Solstice, I can see where the mod would be okay in the rain. It definitely wouldn't survive most snow pack conditions though. If you live and drive in such a climate, just pull the filter out in the Winter.

 

[jeff465]

We have never driven our Sols in the snow. Does the snow pile up on the plastic mess screen? I wouldn't think that would happen. Anybody? :dunno:

 

[njtex]

Just from general experience driving under heavy winter conditions, the HVAC blower will suck snow down through the mesh. Normally it will just melt when it gets into the airbox heater core and then the resulting water will exit through the airbox drain. If there's a filter right under the mesh, the snow will likely build up on it and cause a clog.

If this turns out to be true, remove the filter during the winter months, there's no pollen during this season anyway.