Cabin Filter Replacement Mod... 3G Garage #F-130
01-10-2008, 08:20 PM
#42
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Need? No, none of the models "need" to be cut.
You can unscrew and/or unclip the inner panel to access the filter.
This specific thread modified the "book" procedure to cut the inner panel for permanent, quick access to the filter.
You can unscrew and/or unclip the inner panel to access the filter.
This specific thread modified the "book" procedure to cut the inner panel for permanent, quick access to the filter.
04-30-2008, 11:56 AM
#43
2016 TLX
Great DIY. I cut the access hole and was able to retain a "bridge" at the upper right corner while still having room to slide out the filter container - lots of gunk in the old filter at 26,000 miles. Got Purolators on a two-for-one sale. Reduced my B2 service bill by $65 parts and labor. Thanks to all contributors.
09-17-2008, 01:00 PM
#44
Just got it done.....30 min including cleanup.
No real issues.......Used a small abrasive cutting disk for a dremel tool......Went in cut at the bottom line of the corrugation,,,then cut up the left side (line it up with the left screw hole).....opened it up a bit.....no wire...no issues.....Continued on the upper line of the top corrugation...then down the right side. Easy. I was going to keep the bridge on the right side.....but there didn't seem to be enough room to get the filter out.....So I just cut it off.....No squeeks no rattles.The cost of cabin filter replacement at my dealer------$100.00. My cost.....$14.00 + 1/2 of my time......and I broke 2 dremel disks while cutting. Wear safety glasses. Next filter change should take me 2 minutes and save me another $100.00....It's a no-brainer.
10-07-2008, 03:44 PM
#45
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Did the mod, turned out great. I have never worked with power tools before so besides a cut finger and a shard of plastic to the face it went well. I advice to put down moist paper towels below where you are cutting to gather all the plastic shards that come off.
I also was thinking, if you put an air freshener directly on the back of the glove box, wouldnt the scent circulate through the car. Anybody else think this is a good or bad idea?
I also was thinking, if you put an air freshener directly on the back of the glove box, wouldnt the scent circulate through the car. Anybody else think this is a good or bad idea?
11-06-2008, 05:44 PM
#46
Intermediate
This is a great mod. Dealer wanted $150 labor to change cabin filter on my 2007 TL type S. Took me 30 minutes to complete with a dremel. If you figure that the filter is to be changed every 30,000 miles and you keep your Acura for 90,000 miles, this is a huge savings over the ownersip of the car. Thanks again AcuraZine.
11-07-2008, 02:40 AM
#48
Cutting out hole
Neat idea, My 08 Type S is new but when the time comes I'm going to do this mod. I was thinking of using a hot knife, I have a cordless (butane)soldering iron that has a hot knife attachment and have cut out many plastic panels including tail and head light assemblies to install strobe light heads and it worked great.
12-01-2008, 03:13 PM
#49
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Do you think it is safe to assume that if the plastic panel is NOT cut that the dealership did not change the filter? I have an '07 and just unhooked the glove door and the panel is intact. I had it serviced about 3 months ago and they said they changed the cabin filter.
12-01-2008, 04:34 PM
#50
Do you think it is safe to assume that if the plastic panel is NOT cut that the dealership did not change the filter? I have an '07 and just unhooked the glove door and the panel is intact. I had it serviced about 3 months ago and they said they changed the cabin filter.
Cutting the panel is what a DoItYourselfer would do to eliminate having to remove the entire panel when the next replacement comes due.
03-18-2009, 09:32 PM
#53
This is a great mod. Dealer wanted $150 labor to change cabin filter on my 2007 TL type S. Took me 30 minutes to complete with a dremel. If you figure that the filter is to be changed every 30,000 miles and you keep your Acura for 90,000 miles, this is a huge savings over the ownersip of the car. Thanks again AcuraZine.
03-18-2009, 10:03 PM
#54
03-19-2009, 07:11 AM
#59
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Agreed. I don't know how much different it is to change the filter in other models, but mine is very straight forward. Cutting up a panel, necessary or not, is not an option.
03-19-2009, 07:53 PM
#60
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I'm with you too! I don't think I have guts to put a hole inside the glove box even though it's not visible but still knowing that there is hole. Probably bugs me all the time.
03-19-2009, 09:11 PM
#61
This is a great mod. Dealer wanted $150 labor to change cabin filter on my 2007 TL type S. Took me 30 minutes to complete with a dremel. If you figure that the filter is to be changed every 30,000 miles and you keep your Acura for 90,000 miles, this is a huge savings over the ownersip of the car. Thanks again AcuraZine.
03-19-2009, 10:46 PM
#63
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iTrader: (1)
why are so many people cutting out the section when it takes one extra minute to remove the panel that covers the filter. no need to cut, just remove the panel and unplug the two wires, then reverse the process...10 minute job
03-20-2009, 12:50 AM
#64
okay, i did mine today during my lunchbreak. it took roughly 25 minutes. everything is very quick, until you get the the part where the panel is blocking you. it had to be removed. if it wasn't there, the job would have taken 2 mintues (no exaggeration).
It's either hack away or take out 2 phillips screws that hold the glovebox, 2 phillips screws that hold the middle of the panel, 2 push pin (actually very creative) tabs that secure the top of the panel, and pry gently to pop the clips (about 4). Oh, and unplug the connection to the glovebox light.
Personally, I'd leave the panel unhacked. It's not ever a noticeable part if you do hack it, but the job isn't too time consuming and considering how rarely the filter is changed, it's just not worth knowing your car is cut up.
Oh, and my filter was dirty as sin at 46,700 miles.
03-20-2009, 09:53 AM
#65
WDP Director of R & D
Thread Starter
Wow, such negativity (repetitious in some cases) out of a few above... :-)
As with any vehicle mod, it comes down to personal preference. You either want to do it or you don't - as simple as that. Their are numerous mods mentioned that I wouldn't think of doing to a vehicle, but I see no reason to post in those threads due to my "confused or frustrated" thoughts.. Too funny.
Making an access hole is "completely" logical and something Acura should have done to begin with. So why all the fuss...
As mentioned when this thread began - and it still stands today:
"-- So if your thinking about changing your cabin filter but figured it was too much work,,, this mod may sound a little unorthodox but not only can it not be seen when complete, structurally its sound and it makes changing the filter a snap."
I've changed my CF 4 times now (soon to be 5), and other than the first 30 min mod, it takes me less than 30 seconds. The time isn't really the issue, it's the "not" having to remove "anything" that makes it nice, and smart. But like I mentioned, that's just my opinion of a mod that I have actually performed due to "personally" knowing it was a good idea.... I'm just glad TBone2004 thought of it and brought it to this forums attention.
True story:
About 4 months ago I was sitting in the guest area of my Acura dealership waiting for them to complete the wiper and PS hose TSB on my 04TL. Their was a gentleman sitting next to me who had his now 1yr old TL in for an oil change and other warranty concerns. His service advisor came out and proceeded to talk him into changing his CF at the tune of $160+. The advisor also stated it was a 1hr job.....
I literally "had" to speak up... Stated it was a $10-20 filter depending where purchased and a 20 min job..... The advisor was pissed, the gentleman replied: "Actually, no thanks". I felt I had done my deed for that day. :-)
We then had a conversation the next 20 min until my car was complete. I'm sure that gentleman is now driving around with this mod complete.
Cheers
As with any vehicle mod, it comes down to personal preference. You either want to do it or you don't - as simple as that. Their are numerous mods mentioned that I wouldn't think of doing to a vehicle, but I see no reason to post in those threads due to my "confused or frustrated" thoughts.. Too funny.
Making an access hole is "completely" logical and something Acura should have done to begin with. So why all the fuss...
As mentioned when this thread began - and it still stands today:
"-- So if your thinking about changing your cabin filter but figured it was too much work,,, this mod may sound a little unorthodox but not only can it not be seen when complete, structurally its sound and it makes changing the filter a snap."
I've changed my CF 4 times now (soon to be 5), and other than the first 30 min mod, it takes me less than 30 seconds. The time isn't really the issue, it's the "not" having to remove "anything" that makes it nice, and smart. But like I mentioned, that's just my opinion of a mod that I have actually performed due to "personally" knowing it was a good idea.... I'm just glad TBone2004 thought of it and brought it to this forums attention.
True story:
About 4 months ago I was sitting in the guest area of my Acura dealership waiting for them to complete the wiper and PS hose TSB on my 04TL. Their was a gentleman sitting next to me who had his now 1yr old TL in for an oil change and other warranty concerns. His service advisor came out and proceeded to talk him into changing his CF at the tune of $160+. The advisor also stated it was a 1hr job.....
I literally "had" to speak up... Stated it was a $10-20 filter depending where purchased and a 20 min job..... The advisor was pissed, the gentleman replied: "Actually, no thanks". I felt I had done my deed for that day. :-)
We then had a conversation the next 20 min until my car was complete. I'm sure that gentleman is now driving around with this mod complete.
Cheers
03-20-2009, 10:37 AM
#66
I did this mod a long time ago and I'm glad I did. I change my filter quite often due to driving through LA often and living next to the beach with all the airborne particles. I would hate to take that damn false wall off everytime I have to change the filter. Is it hard to do? No, but its a pain. All it takes after cutting the slot is unlatching the dorr sliding out the old filter and sliding in the new........15 seconds.......
03-20-2009, 12:14 PM
#67
My TL can do this, too!
03-20-2009, 12:45 PM
#68
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I just reconfirmed why I don't work on cars for a living....
Can someone please post a little more detail on this process? I just went out to my car, removed the glove box (no problem), removed the two screws on the panel behind the glove box, but then I couldn't remove the panel itself. What is supposed to come off? Just the back, or the entire plastic piece the wraps around near the door as well? I gave it some decent tugs, but it wouldn't budge and I don't want to break the clips.
Can someone help?!? I really want to replace the filter, but I have hit a road block.
Can someone please post a little more detail on this process? I just went out to my car, removed the glove box (no problem), removed the two screws on the panel behind the glove box, but then I couldn't remove the panel itself. What is supposed to come off? Just the back, or the entire plastic piece the wraps around near the door as well? I gave it some decent tugs, but it wouldn't budge and I don't want to break the clips.
Can someone help?!? I really want to replace the filter, but I have hit a road block.
03-20-2009, 08:35 PM
#70
$160 is robbery though. Some shops will do it for literally $15 + the filter.
I just reconfirmed why I don't work on cars for a living....
Can someone please post a little more detail on this process? I just went out to my car, removed the glove box (no problem), removed the two screws on the panel behind the glove box, but then I couldn't remove the panel itself. What is supposed to come off? Just the back, or the entire plastic piece the wraps around near the door as well? I gave it some decent tugs, but it wouldn't budge and I don't want to break the clips.
Can someone help?!? I really want to replace the filter, but I have hit a road block.
Can someone please post a little more detail on this process? I just went out to my car, removed the glove box (no problem), removed the two screws on the panel behind the glove box, but then I couldn't remove the panel itself. What is supposed to come off? Just the back, or the entire plastic piece the wraps around near the door as well? I gave it some decent tugs, but it wouldn't budge and I don't want to break the clips.
Can someone help?!? I really want to replace the filter, but I have hit a road block.
03-21-2009, 03:08 PM
#71
Senior Moderator
Did the cut out mod today. Easy as pie with my Dremel. Also did the LED cap removal from the LED located in the underdash for the footwell. Changing the filter will be snap next time.
03-29-2009, 08:48 PM
#72
No, that ↓ is not me...
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Piece of cake!
Did mine earlier today on my 2006 TL with 46K mile on it and it took maybe 10 minutes tops.
Here are pictures of mine and the dirt/dust were no surprise considering the miles...
Here are pictures of mine and the dirt/dust were no surprise considering the miles...
03-30-2009, 12:11 AM
#73
Drifting
did mine the old fashioned way. had a friend help me take the backing behind the glove box and replaced it with a purolator filter. 33K miles and it wasnt as dirty as i thought.
03-30-2009, 08:17 AM
#74
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I can't see the point in hacking up the inside of the car. This change takes about 15 minutes to do without cutting up the car.
04-11-2009, 05:47 PM
#76
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I haven't looked at my 08 TL, but the 03 Accord I traded for the TL was a simple drop down and change procedure. It seems that cutting up the car is a bit drastic as the dealer is certainly not going to spend an hour replacing anyone's cabin air filter. It took 5 minutes in the Accord, if it takes 10 to 15 minutes in the TL, once every year that is okay with me - better than taking a chance at creating more rattle issues....
04-27-2009, 06:57 PM
#77
At the very high risk of sounding like a moron (basically because of the pictures)...I would like to make sure the 2004 TL only takes 1 cabin filter. My 05 RSX took two smaller ones that sat side by side.
Thank you!
Thank you!
