Installing 850 Cabin Air Filter

Post by **1997volvo850** » 26 Apr 2010, 07:02

Well, I've recently got into the maintenance thing (in addition to changing oil) so things have
gotten quite dusty over the years. Now when I'm working in an area I try to clean that area
well while I have things apart. My engine area is looking better and better each week.

In terms of the cabin air filter, I've heard many of these were installed after the evaporator
needed to be replaced. I have two 1997 850's that did not have them. Not sure adding it now
will save my evaporator but at least I'll have carbon filtered air.

This is probably one the the easiest fixes that may save a lot of money (or your time)
down the road.

If this becomes a sticky thread the moderators could probably combine the three or four posts with
photos. This site is great because of the pictures showing how to do things. This gives you
a comfort level that the Haynes manual (with very few photos) does not. I hope this makes
others more likely to make this modification.

KRUZNBY · Post by **KRUZNBY** » 26 Apr 2010, 07:11

Did you have a sensor attached to the original flow piece? You can see the two screw holes in your picture. I had some sort of sensor that was attached, but the new replacement had no where to mount it, so I just left it unmounted off to the side. I have no idea what it was for. I would guess some sort of air temp sensor.

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Apr 2010, 07:56

Well, we won't sticky it, but I'll add it to the repair database!

Too many stickies gets a bit annoying. Once Matt and all of us figure out what to do with the repair database, hopefully we'll develop some useful categories/solutions for finding things like this.

Post by **JRL** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:14

If the poster with a 97 has the original evaporator..... WOW!
I would guess it has been replaced.
Besides installing a cabin filter, CLEANING out the intake helps big time.
First vacuum any crud in there. Next make up a solution of bleach and water, soak a rag in it clean the entire area and swipe down as far as you can go, let dry repeat.
Let it totally dry out and spray with "Fridgee Fresh" or the equivilent, to rid the area of mold and mildew.
THEN replace or install a cabin filter

Post by **1997volvo850** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:35

JRL,

It's possible that it has been replaced but I don't ever recall having this done.
This car was service by Volvo regularly up until 2008 when they gave us a $3500 list of
things required to pass inspection. I'm starting to realize I can do many of them
for a fraction of the cost (not fraction of the time) with help from this site. I will
have to look through my very large pile of Volvo dealer invoices.

On cleaning the intake. When I look down the intake tube I see the blades
of the blower fan. Do you mean this area or the area under the plastic water
diverter above the filter? I didn't see much in either area. Just a little dust.

I will be replacing my blower and blower resistor shortly. I was thinking of
sending down a homemade camera probe to see what I is going down in the evaporator and
heater core area. Is this feasible given what you know about the hose routing?
Can I clean more with the blower out or is it just too difficult...

Post by **1997volvo850** » 27 Apr 2010, 17:11

Volvo850 Deep Probe I gets a shot of my evaporator:

: Evaporator

Quite a few leaves and bugs....my new cabin air filter should eliminate this problem.

850 Turbo1 · Post by **850 Turbo1** » 27 Apr 2010, 19:30

A video of how to remove your Kaybin Filter( cabin filter)..lol...that's a joke.

cc8074369 · Post by **cc8074369** » 30 Apr 2010, 10:24

changing you cabin air filter can make a big diffence in the indoor air quality of your vehicle. Last time I went to the dealer to get my $15 oil change they asked me If I wanted my cabin air filter changed. I said 'How much?' he told me $120 plus labor. I said I'll think about it. The filters are only $20 bucks . easy DIY. saved me close to $200 bucks. They do make a big diffence though, I noticed the diffence right away. when looking for the filters I found a funny article about them.

http://odors-change-mood-while-driving.blogspot.com/

vxo · Post by **vxo** » 07 Aug 2010, 18:25

Thank you! I just pulled up the deflector on my 1997 850 T-5 and found a naked intake.

The retainer is $16.50 from FCP Groton
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... ner+(1997)

And the filter (activated charcoal for removing all that lovely Miami auto exhaust) is $14.96.
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... 1994-1997)

Post by **thecheat** » 07 Aug 2010, 19:56

1997volvo850 wrote:What might be useful is a long probe with a camera and lights on it to probe the air ducts...
sounds like a cool science project for my son to work on.

FYI: what you want is a fiber optic borescope... I've never found a decent flexible one under $250.

Installing 850 Cabin Air Filter

Re: Volvo 850 Cabin Air Filter Question