CLogged, and I mean CLOGGED....

[RidingOnRailz]

...Cabin Air filter on a 2008 Kia. I mean a 1/4" inch layer of almost black crud on it with fragments of leaves and some string(!) This car had 23,500 miles on it at the time I took it to valvoline. I did not drive the first 14,000 miles on it, and wonder just where this car had been before I bought it used.

Was this the reason my defroster was never able to keep my own breath off the insides of my car windows? The heater still worked in winter.

Have since been replaced, and windows stay clear unless using "recirculate" position on my Heater in winter. Also no more "oily slime" on windshield which a whole bottle of Windex could not get out previously.

**My last car with cabin air filter, my 1996 Ford Contour, it's filter was just turning light gray at 35,000mi.

[danielsatur]

I replaced my cabin filter with nothing, because they mold, and don't hold up to weather.

[RidingOnRailz]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

I replaced my cabin filter with nothing, because they mold, and don't hold up to weather.

Sorry to hear that. I thought about it for a few minutes and then realized, hey, what if water/moisture is crossing the engine bay/pax cabin threshold by some "unauthorized" means - I.E. a rust hole, missing/mislocated rubber seal, etc? Either that or a drainage route for such moisture has become obstructed, creating a mold environment.

How old is the vehicle?

[jdmccright]

Black crud? My first guess would be a smoker had the car before you did. Of course, you'd probably smell it but those sneaky dealers can shampoo the crap outta the carpets and upholstery for very little cost and make it smell like new...for a while.

I will say that the cabin air filters do help keep crud from the outside from getting into the blower, A/C evaporator, and ductwork...cleaning or replacing a filter is alot easier than cleaning those other parts! I would absolutely recommend leaving it in if you also smoke, travel with your pets frequently (hair!), or live in an area with lots of trees (read pollen, leaves, and the occasional acorn!).

If you can get in there with disinfecting wipes or a cloth sprayed with Fantastic or 409 to help clean that gunk out, your air diverter doors will work better...the more you can disassemble and remove to clean, the better! Good luck!