Cabin air filter guard issue

[jademcquade]

Hi guys.

A while ago I had a look at the cabin filter located under the passenger footwell area. To release the air filter the guide said to push the tap and pull away the air filter guard. I couldn't see what I was doing very well and managed to snap the clip which the guard attaches to.

So now when I put the cabin fans on the air doesn't flow through the air filter and comes out at the footwell because filter guard isn't there anymore (due to not being able to be secured anymore.)

My questions are:

1. Is this doing any damage to the engine or any other parts on my vehicle.
2. Can I do anything to fix this.

P.s. Haven't got a photo of underside of the footwell at the moment but have attached a photo of the filter guard. This is in one piece but the clip on the underside of the football is snapped so it can't be secured.



This is the guide I followed which should highlight what I'm talking about.

http://baldywritten.blogspot.co.uk/2...ir-filter.html

Any help much appreciated .

[Alex121]

Get in contact with Antz in the 'for sale' section.

I'm sure he has one, doubt he'd charge much for it either

[jademcquade]

Hey Alex. Thanks for your reply. I think I've confused things by posting a picture of the guard.

It's the piece under the footwell which houses the filter that has snapped off. It means this guard is not longer able to be held in place.

I'm not sure if the whole cabin filter unit needs to be replaced or if it is even possible. Not sure where I would find that information either. Don't have a Haynes Manual :-(

[Alex121]

Which bit is broken from the image?

[gatos]

Ouch... I have a funny feeling that he broke part 3, which is the bottom part of the AC matrix. I don't even think that he can remove the bottom part, without removing the whole middle box, which would also involve emptying the AC gas first.

And if you think that all of the above is bad, then you must remember that in order to get access to the mid box, the whole dashboard will have to come out!!!!!

So in other words, you might be better off trying to bodge the job by using some sort of glue or araldite to fix the damaged bit.

[druid]

I think a bodge is in order!
There must be a way. of adding a clip, otherwise you are gluing the filter in

[druid]

AHA! Zip tie through but above the panel after the filter is in and you will be able to change the next time.

[jademcquade]

Hey guys. Thanks for the answers. I can't see from that image anything which I can identify as the broken part. The picture I posted of the filter guard (part 6 in your image) clips over something which must be attached to the whole AC unit. A small piece of plastic came off when I removed the guard to forcefully.

I'll take the advice and try the cable tie 'botch' method to keep it in place.

P.s. I find when my A/C is switched off it will come back on intermittently and then go back off again. I find this pretty strange. Has anyone else experienced that?

[ITSv40]

I always try to do a proper repair to original manufacturers standards, however there are times, such as this, where a bodge is practical and acceptable. In times like this I resort to the two most valuable tools in the tool box.

If it moves and shouldn't, gaffer tape it.
If it doesn't move and it should, WD40 it.

[jademcquade]

What an optimistic way to look at it ITSv40. I'll happily subscribe to those two methods in times of need :-)