OEM Cabin Air Filter Replacement with NON Oem Filter - Page 2

shahavchik · 12-24-03, 08:56 AM

I know! I think once a year is a must! I'm pretty sure there are people who never took their filters out wor who use the original acura filters that almost do not filter anything.
I also recommend cleaning the blower motor. It has even more dirt on it.

ndhduong · 11-01-05, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtnduey

Filter #1
I don't remember the name, but it is a plastic like material (some sort of synthetic fiber of sorts) it is BLUE in color (color may vary) costs about $4 each and is a cut to fit type of filter. It only comes in one size for the home so people that buy it for their Furnace cut it to match the size of their old filter. It is very sturdy and looks to be quite well made. It will trap allergens & critters much much better than the OEM filter and has higher airflow and costs less, and is much much better than the OEM filter

Filter #2
At Home Depot for about $8-9 you can get the base line or "RED" 3M filter home ac/furnace air filter. With this filter you get 4 chances at making a replacement filter to get rid of that crappy OEM filter wannabe. You might as well get the biggest size filter of that level, remember to get the RED and RED only class filter by 3M, none of the others I saw at Home Depot were sturdy enough to make this project work. They all should be the same exact price for this level of filter from 3M, at least it was at my Home Depot. Anyway, you need to take the old OEM filter out and place it on top of the new 3M filter in one of the 4 corners. It has a arrow showing the proper direction of airflow, if memory serves me the little wire mesh backing goes towards the blower motor itself, or towards the passenger side of the car on G2 Legends. Since this filter or any other like it isn't sturdy enough on its own to hold up to the forces generated in any Forced Air system, it has cardboard backing all the way around it, as well as some little cardboard strips going over the entire filter in a X type of pattern if my memory serves me.

So which one is considered better? 1st or 2nd filter? since later in the thread he mentioned the red 3M filter also has better air flow than OEM.

Where can I buy the 1st filter?

Thanks

Mtnduey · 11-02-05, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndhduong

So which one is considered better? 1st or 2nd filter? since later in the thread he mentioned the red 3M filter also has better air flow than OEM.

Where can I buy the 1st filter?

Thanks

You can buy #1 and #2 at Home Depot. I dont remember the name of that plastic mesh one (#1) but it was really cheap and pretty sturdy, you just need a really good pair of cutters to do it, then again, you need them for #2 as well. I used the 3M Red filter myself, its worked out quite well. I had to replace it a little sooner than planned b/c of all the wildfires in California last year, but it did it's job & trapped all that debrit & kept the cabin smelling nice & clean

Legend6662 · 06-23-06, 05:44 AM

Guys, I tried the link of that word doc file but I think it is a dead link now... almost 3 years ago since this was posted, any chance to revive it?

Thanks.

89aCuRa · 07-03-06, 10:04 PM

if you leave the settings on recirculate, orange light, would you need a cabin filter? it looks like the cabin filter only keeps leaves and sticks from entering the vents from the outside. if you use inside air, wouldn't a filter just slow down how much air passes through the vents? im trying to understand the airflow system, i took out my old cabin filter last night, and will put a new one in tonite, i used to ac today, and it seemed like more air flowed through the vents without the filter in the way

James

S4gunn · 07-27-06, 12:51 PM

My current paper filter doesn't seem to cause any reduction in airflow. It will work at least as well as the acura filter. You really do want to considering using a filter - even if its the crappy Acura Honeycomb filter.

After only 15K miles (the recommended replacement interval), I had a fair amount of leaves and twigs (about a handful). While I do use both recirculate and the open-air settings, cleaning this amount of crap off the filter is a lot easier than trying to get it off the evaporator core.

The filter I ended up purchasing was the Naturalaire panel air filter with a "chickenwire" mesh backing for a whopping $3.97 + tax at Home Depot.
You can see an example as item # 732679 on homedepot.com

This filter is stiff enough and will work better than the OEM one at filtration. I think the OEM was relied on electrostatic force though since the honeycomb walls appear to be darker than when I put it in. My only concern is that I might change the paper filter more often since the paper pleating isn't very dense (at least compared to my Audi's cabin air filter). After I run out of the 3-4 filters I can make out of this single central air conditioner filter, I think the next time I will spring for a more robust ~$15 filter that uses multiple layers of spongy green filtration material (probably washable), a stiffer, plastic diamon mesh as its frame.

I'm a little leary of the glass fiber filters. You really should handle that stuff with gloves so the fiberglass doesn't stick in your hands and cause you to itch.

daniboy · 10-31-06, 03:03 AM

ok.. so i went to clean my filter out and i did everything to find out that there was no filter there! the guy who i boughtmy car from must have taken it out ... i wonder if this is bad lol

S4gunn · 02-14-07, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S4gunn

My current paper filter doesn't seem to cause any reduction in airflow. It will work at least as well as the acura filter. You really do want to considering using a filter - even if its the crappy Acura Honeycomb filter.

After only 15K miles (the recommended replacement interval), I had a fair amount of leaves and twigs (about a handful). While I do use both recirculate and the open-air settings, cleaning this amount of crap off the filter is a lot easier than trying to get it off the evaporator core.

The filter I ended up purchasing was the Naturalaire panel air filter with a "chickenwire" mesh backing for a whopping $3.97 + tax at Home Depot.
You can see an example as item # 732679 on homedepot.com

This filter is stiff enough and will work better than the OEM one at filtration. I think the OEM was relied on electrostatic force though since the honeycomb walls appear to be darker than when I put it in. My only concern is that I might change the paper filter more often since the paper pleating isn't very dense (at least compared to my Audi's cabin air filter). After I run out of the 3-4 filters I can make out of this single central air conditioner filter, I think the next time I will spring for a more robust ~$15 filter that uses multiple layers of spongy green filtration material (probably washable), a stiffer, plastic diamon mesh as its frame.

I'm a little leary of the glass fiber filters. You really should handle that stuff with gloves so the fiberglass doesn't stick in your hands and cause you to itch.

Here's an update & some personal notes after 6.5 months of using the paper filter (13.5K mi):
* CONSIDER REPLACING THE FILTER EVERY 6 MONTHS! While I'm a bit too lazy to post a pic of the filter, take my word for it that it was quite filthy.

* Considering the filter is supposed to be replaced every 90 days in its original designed form, getting 6 months of use out of it isn't half bad.

* When you cut the cabin filters out of the big filter, cut it so the cabin pleats are horizonal vs. vertical. This will allow you to stuff more surface area in pleats into the air filter socket while still insuring that the filter goes down the length of the socket. In other words, if you cut the pleats vertically, the pleats will compress as you push the filter into the socket. If you are overzealous in ramming the filter into the socket, you might be leaving some of the deepest area uncovered.

* I think I will start looking for better long term solution though. Taking off my glove box every 6 months kind of sucks.

* I decided to replace mine after I heard some rustling and wanted to get some of the leaves out. It also started to smell a little musty after a big rainstorm and I wanted to confirm that the filter was dry & mold-free (it was on both counts).

PS. To answer an old question, you can see where the recirculation system pulls in the air when you put the A/C system on recirc. It's the panel on the lower right. Essentially, on recirc mode, the air still pulls air out before the panel filter so its in your best interest to have a filter.

delltang · 12-17-07, 10:41 AM

Does the 1991 couple-L have a cabin filter? I sure do have a smell going on.

06-23-06, 05:44 AM	#19 (permalink)
Legend6662 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 82 Car 1: 1995 Silver Sedan iTrader: (0)	Guys, I tried the link of that word doc file but I think it is a dead link now... almost 3 years ago since this was posted, any chance to revive it? Thanks. __________________ 1st car - Honda Legend G1 (2.0 V6) -SOLD 2nd car - Honda Legend G2 - SOLD Changes I have made so far: - Koni Special Shock Absorber & Spring - E-Power2 Voltage stabilizer & Splitfire ground wire - 17" Advanti Rim + 215/45/17 Michelin Pilot Perceda 2 - Sound Insolation + Pioneer DEH-7750 CD Player & PLC speakers - K&N Air-Filter - Dual Exhaust Pipe (Brabus) - Acura Emblem - JDM Headlight (Black housing) + HID Philip 4,300K Now 3rd & 4th car - Honda Accord Exi 2.0 & Mazda RX-8

07-27-06, 12:51 PM	#21 (permalink)
S4gunn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF, CA Posts: 430 Car 1: 02 Audi S4 Car 2: 94 Acura Legend L iTrader: (1)	My current paper filter doesn't seem to cause any reduction in airflow. It will work at least as well as the acura filter. You really do want to considering using a filter - even if its the crappy Acura Honeycomb filter. After only 15K miles (the recommended replacement interval), I had a fair amount of leaves and twigs (about a handful). While I do use both recirculate and the open-air settings, cleaning this amount of crap off the filter is a lot easier than trying to get it off the evaporator core. The filter I ended up purchasing was the Naturalaire panel air filter with a "chickenwire" mesh backing for a whopping $3.97 + tax at Home Depot. You can see an example as item # 732679 on homedepot.com This filter is stiff enough and will work better than the OEM one at filtration. I think the OEM was relied on electrostatic force though since the honeycomb walls appear to be darker than when I put it in. My only concern is that I might change the paper filter more often since the paper pleating isn't very dense (at least compared to my Audi's cabin air filter). After I run out of the 3-4 filters I can make out of this single central air conditioner filter, I think the next time I will spring for a more robust ~$15 filter that uses multiple layers of spongy green filtration material (probably washable), a stiffer, plastic diamon mesh as its frame. I'm a little leary of the glass fiber filters. You really should handle that stuff with gloves so the fiberglass doesn't stick in your hands and cause you to itch. __________________ 2002 Audi S4 1994 Acura Legend L (commuter)

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12-24-03, 08:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
shahavchik Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 967 Car 1: 1994 Granada Black Acura Legend GS Sedan Car 2: 2007 Subaru Forester iTrader: (0)	I know! I think once a year is a must! I'm pretty sure there are people who never took their filters out wor who use the original acura filters that almost do not filter anything. I also recommend cleaning the blower motor. It has even more dirt on it.

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07-03-06, 10:04 PM	#20 (permalink)
89aCuRa Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: jacksonville, fl Posts: 408 Car 1: 1993 Pearl White Acura Legend Coupe 6-Speed iTrader: (0)	if you leave the settings on recirculate, orange light, would you need a cabin filter? it looks like the cabin filter only keeps leaves and sticks from entering the vents from the outside. if you use inside air, wouldn't a filter just slow down how much air passes through the vents? im trying to understand the airflow system, i took out my old cabin filter last night, and will put a new one in tonite, i used to ac today, and it seemed like more air flowed through the vents without the filter in the way James

10-31-06, 03:03 AM	#22 (permalink)
daniboy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: escalon Posts: 18 Car 1: 1992 acura legend ls (cashemere sedan) Car 2: 1991 honda accord lx iTrader: (0)	ok.. so i went to clean my filter out and i did everything to find out that there was no filter there! the guy who i boughtmy car from must have taken it out ... i wonder if this is bad lol

12-17-07, 10:41 AM	#24 (permalink)
delltang Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Bch Posts: 29 Car 1: 91 Acura Legend Coupe Car 2: 03 Lincoln Navigator Car 3: 99 F350 Crew Cab DWR iTrader: (0)	Does the 1991 couple-L have a cabin filter? I sure do have a smell going on.

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