Cabin air filters

[YukonGMC]

Not hard to change and if you like breathing cleaner air I think they should be changed at least annually. I made the mistake of buying them the first time at the dealer. Something like $26 for the two. NAPA has them for less than half of that. A cheap investment.

[redcar]

I replaced mine and were they filthy

[paramediclane]

i didnt even know what a cabin air filter was until i got on this site, and man let me tell you it is unbelievable at how nasty these things were. im glad i come to this site for information. i paid 22 dollars for both at my local dealer.

[cashflow50]

Where are the filters located on a yukon? Are they easy to remove and replace? My ride has this awfull smell. Smells like laudry that wasn't sun dried. A moldy smell. Can someone tell where they are located. Thanks in advance.

[paramediclane]

Originally Posted by cashflow50

Where are the filters located on a yukon? Are they easy to remove and replace? My ride has this awfull smell. Smells like laudry that wasn't sun dried. A moldy smell. Can someone tell where they are located. Thanks in advance.

do a search in some of the gmc/chevy forums. there are some pretty indepth instructions on location, removal, and replacement.

[borchelt]

Originally Posted by paramediclane

do a search in some of the gmc/chevy forums. there are some pretty indepth instructions on location, removal, and replacement.

http://www.carquest.com/product/filters/cabin_air.pdf

see Page 12

[Eggert]

Hi, you may or may not have the 2 passenger compartment air filters. I don't.
The carquest reference is not correct, they are under the glove compartment and not in the center of the dashboard.
The blower motor is on the right side, with the motor connector under it.
The next rectangular shape to the left is the place of the filters, if you have them.
A latch comes from the lower edge and goes up on the front edge.
That is the filter access door.
Remove the access door screw, unhook the door and pull the filters out downwards.
The 2 filters are thin slices positioned front to back.
Hope this helps, Eggert

[borchelt]

Originally Posted by Eggert

Hi, you may or may not have the 2 passenger compartment air filters. I don't.
The carquest reference is not correct, they are under the glove compartment and not in the center of the dashboard.
The blower motor is on the right side, with the motor connector under it.
The next rectangular shape to the left is the place of the filters, if you have them.
A latch comes from the lower edge and goes up on the front edge.
That is the filter access door.
Remove the access door screw, unhook the door and pull the filters out downwards.
The 2 filters are thin slices positioned front to back.
Hope this helps, Eggert

I stand corrected...thanks

[tonytone]

You guys are lucky in that regard--IIRC, GM went cheap starting in '03 (I think--'04 for sure) and decided to no longer offer the cabin air filter in those vehicles.

[Eggert]

Cashflow50, this may be for your odor problem (in the A/C)

Odor Diagnosis
Step 1:
1. Sit inside the vehicle.
2. Close all doors and windows.
3. Start the engine.
4. Let the engine idle at normal operating temperature.
5. Set the blower speed to HI.
6. Set the mode to VENT.
7. Set the temperature control to full COLD.
8. Cycle through all blower speeds, modes and temperature control positions to define what type of odor is present.
• Musty Smell
• Coolant Smell
• Oil smell
Action: Does the odor have a musty smell?
Yes: Go to Step 2
No: Go to Step 5

Step 2:
1. Inspect the evaporator drain tube for a blockage.
2. Clean and repair the blockage as necessary.
Action: Was the drain plugged and an excessive amount of water present?
Yes: Go to Step 3
No: Go to Step 4

Step 3:
1. Inspect for a water leak at the plenum to windshield seal.
2. Inspect the HVAC filter cover and for debris on the filter.
3. Inspect for wet carpet or mats and the HVAC case seals at the front of dash.
4. Repair the leak as necessary.
Action: Did you complete the repair?
Yes: Go to Step 13
No: —

Step 4:
The probable odor is caused by mold/mildew build up within the HVAC case and on the evaporator and heater cores. To correct the odor refer to Odor Correction.
Action: Did you complete the repair?
Yes: Go to Step 13
No: —

Steps 5 - 12 left out dealing with coolant and oil smells.

Step 13:
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Action: Did you correct the condition?
Yes: System OK
No: Go to Step 1


Repair Instructions
Odor Correction
Eliminating Air Conditioning Odor
Odors may be emitted from the air conditioning system primarily at start up in hot, humid climates.
The following conditions may cause the odor:
• Debris is present in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module.
• Microbial growth on the evaporator core.
When the blower motor fan is turned on, the microbial growth may release an unpleasant musty odor into the passenger compartment.
A service kit that can correct the condition is available through General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO) to address this condition.
To remove odors of this type, it is necessary to eliminate the mirobial growth and prevent its recurrence. To accomplish this, these two procedures must be completed.
• Deodorize the evaporator core using Deodorizing Aerosol Kit.
• Install the new air conditioning (A/C) Delayed Blower Control Package.
The blower control package will enable the blower to run at high speed for 5 minutes. It will do so approximately 50 minutes after the ignition has been turned off if the A/C compressor had been engaged for 4 or more minutes prior to shutting off the engine. By doing so, the evaporator case and core are dried out, reducing the chances of a recurring A/C odor.
Perform the following steps in order to deodorize the A/C system:
1. Ensure that the plenum that draws outside air into the HVAC module is clear of all debris.
2. Disable the A/C compressor clutch operation by disconnecting the clutch coil electrical connector.
3. Dry the evaporator core by performing the following steps:
3.1. Start the vehicle.
3.2. Set the temperature control on maximum heat.
3.3. Set the control to the MAX setting.
3.4. Run the blower motor on high for 10 minutes.
4. Locate an area in the air conditioning duct
between the blower motor and the evaporator core downstream of the blower motor.
5. Drill a 3.175 mm (0.125 in) hole where it will not interfere with or damage the following components:
• The blower motor
• The evaporator core
• Any other operating part the of system
6. Wear safety goggles and latex gloves in order to perform the following actions:
6.1. Continue to operate the blower motor on high.
6.2. Insert the extension tube of the deodorizer into the hole, past the mark on the extension tube.
6.3. Use short spray bursts and vary the direction of spray for a 2-3 minute period of time, in order to dispense the contents of the can into the duct.
7. Shut the engine OFF. Allow the vehicle to sit for 3-5 minutes.
8. Seal the 3.175 mm (0.125 in) hole with body sealer or RTV gasket compound.
9. Start the engine.
10. Operate the blower motor on high for 15-20 minutes to dry.
11. Reconnect the A/C compressor clutch coil electrical connector.
12. Verify proper clutch operation.

Take care, Eggert

[JackBauer]

Tony Tone,

Not cheap I think they decided to do away with them do to the pain of changing them. Also the fact of very few people knowing about them they weren't selling.

I picked up a lighter plug in one at Wal-Mart. Works great! $9.99! Glows blue but has a small filter in it about the size of a roll of nickels. So it must be shaken out frequently. Ionic Breeze makes one too that you can get in Sharper Image.

[tonytone]

Originally Posted by JackBauer

Tony Tone,

Not cheap I think they decided to do away with them do to the pain of changing them. Also the fact of very few people knowing about them they weren't selling.

I picked up a lighter plug in one at Wal-Mart. Works great! $9.99! Glows blue but has a small filter in it about the size of a roll of nickels. So it must be shaken out frequently. Ionic Breeze makes one too that you can get in Sharper Image.

Maybe so, but I guess in that regard GM could have redesigned it so that it can be serviced more easily; other manufacturers don't seem to have a problem offering cabin air filters in some of their models.

I still say GM is just penny-pinching (okay, maybe "cheap" wasn't the correct term...but it's close IMHO)--take the glove box light, for example; the bulb is easily replaceable, yet it is no longer offered on their fullsize SUVs--ditto the under-hood light. I don't think the "pain" of changing the filter was the (primary) reason why GM no longer offers it on their current SUVs/trucks.