Replaced cabin filter Topic is solved

cpo58 · Post by **cpo58** » 13 Jun 2022, 13:33

Replaced cabin air filter after a major sandstorm but sand is coming out of ducts still. I installed a Mahle LAK 54 filter. How can I purge my ductwork?

Post by **BlackBart** » 13 Jun 2022, 14:06

I've wondered this very thing in case I might have a dried out creature in there from the PO. I've cleaned and cleaned but there's always a hint of old mouse.

Post by **cn90** » 13 Jun 2022, 17:17

If you look at the air flow: air from outside enters the area close to you (aft part of car)
---> toward the fore area ---> HVAC unit for distribution.

You need to study the diagram of cabin air flow to do this.
If you look at the photo below (FCPEuro video on youtube), you will see leaves collecting in the area toward you.

Now cut a piece of cardboard the size of the cabin filter and insert into the slot closer to the firewall (there are 2 slots
for cabin filters) to prevent blown air from getting inside the car. Now make some attachment (cardboard + duct tape etc.) and attach to the leaf blower.

Just a thought.

Please report back what you do, I'd appreciate it.

PS: My 120V leaf blower (Craftsman $50 or so) is a great tool even for car. When engine is too hot and I need to do some work, I use it to blow it cool. After doing some engine cleaning such as leaves/debris on top of engine: a leaf blower quickly blow things away. Ditto for leaves collecting in the windshield area. Want to clean under the front seats? Yes, leaf blower is much better than vacuum, it can blow debris to the front carpet, now you can vacuum it.

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: Cabin-Filter.jpg (64.49 KiB) Viewed 682 times

cpo58 · Post by **cpo58** » 14 Jun 2022, 09:09

Hi and thanks for your replies.
I don't understand airflow "aft". I figured the air entered under the rear trailing edge of the hood. Can you explain further? Couldn't find a cabin airflow diagram.
Assume I would need to wedge the cardboard somehow, inside the filter slot. Then use the leaf blower pushing air up and out through the filter slot? Where will the air exit? Outside?
Is this what you had in mind? I thought maybe I would need to blow it all out through the ducts and into the car cabin in order to get everything out of the ductwork. Please understand this is very fine sand dust, kind of like glitter almost. I thought after I put in the new (correct) filter it would stop the sand coming out the ducts. So I'm thinking some of this fine sand dust must be caught in the ductwork. I've cleaned the car numerous times and ran the AC full blast but when I use it again the next day or even hours later, here comes the sand lightly coating everything.
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain this to me. I've worked on a lot of cars before but this is a weird one to fix. Thanks again!

cpo58 · Post by **cpo58** » 14 Jun 2022, 09:13

I also found many uses for my leaf blower. Definitely good for lots of other things besides moving leaves around. Being a carpenter we always kept one around for cleaning up at the end of the day. Here in the desert it's a must have tool.

Post by **BlackBart** » 14 Jun 2022, 10:22

Wow, that is some serious sand!

What about one of those mini shop vacs with the small flexible hose? Would it fit up into the ducts? Or a stiff wire with a small loop at the end and a wet rag tied to it - drag it up and down the duct?

cpo58 · Post by **cpo58** » 14 Jun 2022, 12:04

Yes it's been an extremely windy spring into summer here, hopefully the worst is over. Now just looking forward to 100 plus weather for the next few months. I call this time of year our Winter. The mild warm weather the rest of the year makes up for it. You wanna shovel sand or snow? Lol
So yes your thoughts are like mine, I was just thinking something more extreme though like blowing out all of the ductwork. I think I'm going to try what you suggested.
Do you think the area at the rear of the hood is where a majority of the air intakes from?
I've started putting a long drop cloth along that part where the hood meets the windshield, when the wind is blowing sand.
Ultimately I'm building a garage door on the end of the carport, which is primarily the direction the wind comes from.
Thanks very much

cpo58 · Post by **cpo58** » 14 Jun 2022, 12:06

Oops, Looks like I got BlackBart and cn90 confused. In any case thanks again for the help and suggestions.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jun 2022, 15:04

cpo58 wrote: ↑14 Jun 2022, 12:06 Oops, Looks like I got BlackBart and cn90 confused. In any case thanks again for the help and suggestions.

They have never been in the same forum at the same Time. Hmmmmmmm.

Post by **BlackBart** » 14 Jun 2022, 15:39

ha HA!! Here I am!

Yes, I think ALL the air comes in the cowl vent at the base of the windshield. Goes through the cabin filter, gets shuttled around vents and tubes, through the heater and/or cooler core, and comes out on the floor or face or defroster vents.

Couldn't you blow in from the dash and floor vents and blow it out wherever? Or would you hurt some blower door somewhere with too much pressure?