R50/53 Reminder to change your cabin air filter
#1
Reminder to change your cabin air filter and then some
I bought my '02 mcs with 85k miles this week and decided to do a home service. This is basically an inspection 1 and 2 plus some very important fluid maintenance not covered by 1 and 2 such as bleeding clutch, brake, changing coolant, etc...
First thing I changed was the cabin air filter. Took about 15 minutes. Here's a pic of the old one. Yikes!
Also, the air filter was just as bad. The spark plugs (probably original) were not too shabby considering how many miles they weathered.
First thing I changed was the cabin air filter. Took about 15 minutes. Here's a pic of the old one. Yikes!
Also, the air filter was just as bad. The spark plugs (probably original) were not too shabby considering how many miles they weathered.
Last edited by xman11; 03-27-2010 at 07:17 AM. Reason: Added more ugly pics
#6
Note that in this YouTube video it says the flow direction is UP. That is incorrect. The flow direction is DOWN and the filter has an arrow on it which suggests there is a top and a bottom and needs to be inserted in the correct direction.
The flow arrow needs to point down. It fits better that way as well. If you need proof of the flow direction just consider where all the dirt is. On the top.
Rich
The flow arrow needs to point down. It fits better that way as well. If you need proof of the flow direction just consider where all the dirt is. On the top.
Rich
#7
Trending Topics
#10
I think Mini says 2 years or 20,000 miles. I change mine every year. It is always filthy. And easy to do.
So, like oil, the Mini intervals for this filter are longer than, what I would consider, reasonable.
But yes, at least one change, possibly two under the maintenance warranty would be expected.
Rich
So, like oil, the Mini intervals for this filter are longer than, what I would consider, reasonable.
But yes, at least one change, possibly two under the maintenance warranty would be expected.
Rich
#11
I think Mini says 2 years or 20,000 miles. I change mine every year. It is always filthy. And easy to do.
So, like oil, the Mini intervals for this filter are longer than, what I would consider, reasonable.
But yes, at least one change, possibly two under the maintenance warranty would be expected.
Rich
So, like oil, the Mini intervals for this filter are longer than, what I would consider, reasonable.
But yes, at least one change, possibly two under the maintenance warranty would be expected.
Rich
#12
Cabin Air Filter—Schematic
So after replacing my cabin air filter yesterday, which was filthy BTW, my air conditioning seems to be much more effective. I say that just to get all of you that have been putting off changing it, to do it now at the beginning of the A/C season.
But I also got to thinking which for me is always bad.
The air clearly comes from the top through the filter and into the cabin. Evidence of that is that the dirt is on the top. But if it blows in, where does the air come from? All the vents, of course, have air coming into the cabin as well as do the vents under the windshield and in the top of the dash.
So is the air going through the cabin air filter air that has gone through the heater or A/C? And when you have the A/C on recirculation, where does the air from the cabin go in?
In the old days it was easy. Everything went through the heater box where the A/C evaporator also resided. Then it was into the cabin cold or hot depending. But on our Minis......?
Am I missing something?
Rich
PS-There is no schematic in Bentleys or the Haynes manuals.
But I also got to thinking which for me is always bad.
The air clearly comes from the top through the filter and into the cabin. Evidence of that is that the dirt is on the top. But if it blows in, where does the air come from? All the vents, of course, have air coming into the cabin as well as do the vents under the windshield and in the top of the dash.
So is the air going through the cabin air filter air that has gone through the heater or A/C? And when you have the A/C on recirculation, where does the air from the cabin go in?
In the old days it was easy. Everything went through the heater box where the A/C evaporator also resided. Then it was into the cabin cold or hot depending. But on our Minis......?
Am I missing something?
Rich
PS-There is no schematic in Bentleys or the Haynes manuals.
#13
So after replacing my cabin air filter yesterday, which was filthy BTW, my air conditioning seems to be much more effective. I say that just to get all of you that have been putting off changing it, to do it now at the beginning of the A/C season.
But I also got to thinking which for me is always bad.
The air clearly comes from the top through the filter and into the cabin. Evidence of that is that the dirt is on the top. But if it blows in, where does the air come from? All the vents, of course, have air coming into the cabin as well as do the vents under the windshield and in the top of the dash.
So is the air going through the cabin air filter air that has gone through the heater or A/C? And when you have the A/C on recirculation, where does the air from the cabin go in?
In the old days it was easy. Everything went through the heater box where the A/C evaporator also resided. Then it was into the cabin cold or hot depending. But on our Minis......?
Am I missing something?
Rich
PS-There is no schematic in Bentleys or the Haynes manuals.
But I also got to thinking which for me is always bad.
The air clearly comes from the top through the filter and into the cabin. Evidence of that is that the dirt is on the top. But if it blows in, where does the air come from? All the vents, of course, have air coming into the cabin as well as do the vents under the windshield and in the top of the dash.
So is the air going through the cabin air filter air that has gone through the heater or A/C? And when you have the A/C on recirculation, where does the air from the cabin go in?
In the old days it was easy. Everything went through the heater box where the A/C evaporator also resided. Then it was into the cabin cold or hot depending. But on our Minis......?
Am I missing something?
Rich
PS-There is no schematic in Bentleys or the Haynes manuals.
But there is a "filter" button on the A/C and Heat control, and I would assume that's what "activates" the air to be pulled back through the filter and into the vents again. But it would also make sense the other way too. So confused.
#14
#15
#16
Here are a selection of cabin filters , the carbon ones seem to be the most popular as they contain carbon to absorb odors. Like zippy said.
They all fit some just have different material for the frame. R50 R52 R53 models.
Undo the lid on the passenger side footwell, remove the old one out and slide the one in at an angle and will slide upward. Then close up the lid.
Cabin filter regular:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64311496710/
Cabin filter - Active Carbon
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64319257505/
Thanks
They all fit some just have different material for the frame. R50 R52 R53 models.
Undo the lid on the passenger side footwell, remove the old one out and slide the one in at an angle and will slide upward. Then close up the lid.
Cabin filter regular:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64311496710/
Cabin filter - Active Carbon
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64319257505/
Thanks
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#17
Here are a selection of cabin filters , the carbon ones seem to be the most popular as they contain carbon to absorb odors. Like zippy said.
They all fit some just have different material for the frame. R50 R52 R53 models.
Undo the lid on the passenger side footwell, remove the old one out and slide the one in at an angle and will slide upward. Then close up the lid.
Cabin filter regular:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64311496710/
Cabin filter - Active Carbon
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64319257505/
Thanks
They all fit some just have different material for the frame. R50 R52 R53 models.
Undo the lid on the passenger side footwell, remove the old one out and slide the one in at an angle and will slide upward. Then close up the lid.
Cabin filter regular:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64311496710/
Cabin filter - Active Carbon
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64319257505/
Thanks
#18
You are welcome,
When you pull the old one out it can be pretty dirty if not changed for a while. Expect some dirt and leaves to get on the carpet. When you snap the lid back in can be a little tricky just push up the lid and press the tabs back in place.
When you pull the old one out it can be pretty dirty if not changed for a while. Expect some dirt and leaves to get on the carpet. When you snap the lid back in can be a little tricky just push up the lid and press the tabs back in place.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#19
#20
You are welcome.
Taken them off many times to sore fingers. If you bust the clip in part of the tab on the lid side, front or the rear then you have to replace the lid. They snap in very tight.
#3 Cover For Microfilter Housing 64311497542
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64311497542/
Thanks
Taken them off many times to sore fingers. If you bust the clip in part of the tab on the lid side, front or the rear then you have to replace the lid. They snap in very tight.
#3 Cover For Microfilter Housing 64311497542
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64311497542/
Thanks
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#21
Vendor
iTrader: (10)
I could take pics of some we've replaced but you might get sick. Especially if you're a smoker it will scare you to think of what your lungs look like if the filter looks as bad as many I've seen.
#22
#24
My car had a bad smell. It finally occurred to me that I needed to replace my cabin air filter.
I did the job about 2 weeks ago. It made the smell almost go away completely and I get at least twice the airflow out my vents!
I bought my 2006 MCS with 99k miles on the clock. I'm guessing the cabin air filter had not been changed in at least 50k miles. It was completely clogged.
I did the job about 2 weeks ago. It made the smell almost go away completely and I get at least twice the airflow out my vents!
I bought my 2006 MCS with 99k miles on the clock. I'm guessing the cabin air filter had not been changed in at least 50k miles. It was completely clogged.
#25
In addition to what has been posted here, I recomend taking a damp rag and wiping as far inside the filter housing as you can reach. I did this and the rag came out black and nasty.
This was my filter when I got the Mini(old one was carbon new one was non carbon but you can see all of the crud on it still):
And my brand new floor mats after pulling the filter out:
Last edited by 04_Indi_Mini_S; 06-30-2013 at 07:45 AM.