How To Change A Pollen Filter

[Benn2001]

I didnt have much luck with changing the pollen filter. Managed to remove the old one by following the pics with little trouble. Then came the job of getting the new one back in, what a nightmare!!! After 2 hours of scraped hands, grunts and frustration I gave up. I'm going to take it to my local garage and get him to do it for me. I have the new 1 taped in for now.

 

And to make things worse, I have managed to cause what sounds and feels like a misfire to boot. The car runs ok for the first few minutes but then starts to splutter when accelerating. I'm going to check the MAF tomorrow :D

[seatkid]

IIRC If you look at the plastic frame in which the filter sits you will see 2 little pips at the RH end along the edges. These engage in top/bottom grooves in the bodywork housing. Use a torch/lamp to see where the entry points for these are - you put this end at this position and then slide the unit the rest of the way to the right before pushing the LH end into the housing.

 

Tricky I know, because its difficult to see and little room. You need to look at the bodywork housing before fitting. (I find having half an hour rest and a cup of tea helps when frustration sets in)

 

The misfiring is possibly you accidently caught and pulled off one of the many vacuum pipes at the back of the engine bay, also check the engine air filter housing, there is a small pipe attached at the rear.....

 

Not really a good time of the year for this kind of job.

Edited January 15, 2010 by seatkid

[Benn2001]

I've had it into the garage and they seem to think its the loom into the engine causing an injector misfire :46: Fingers crossed its not too dear.

[Benn2001]

Turns out the problem was the engine loom and nothing to do with the pollen filter job. That's me another

[rookie123]

Finally got round to changing my pollen filter this morning using this guide.

 

From start to finish it took around 40 minutes and I was taking my time.

 

Old topic I know, but I had to say thanks for this thread as it made what looks like a nasty job much easier.

 

Still took a layer of skin off my knuckles though!!!

 

Cheers! :P

[alane]

Many thanks for the information in this thread.

 

I managed to change the filter on my 03 Galaxy this afternoon. The old filter was completely clogged and whoever put it in had not put it in properly. The frame was just standing in front of the aperture at the passenger side. I had to release 2 of the wiper mounts to create enough clearance to push the new filter and frame back in place. I tried for ages to do so without loosening the wiper mounts but there just wasn't sufficient clearance. With the wipers released the job is a doddle.

 

Best Regards

[Mikef]

SK, thanks for this thread, I'll be trying this on my 02 Gal next weekend. One question though, the bulkhead extension has a rubber seal on it, which I cant make out in your pics...does that slide out once you have removed the three bolts? its the strip of rubber which runs the width of the car, above that central bolt.

 

cheers

 

mikef

[seatkid]

SK, thanks for this thread, I'll be trying this on my 02 Gal next weekend. One question though, the bulkhead extension has a rubber seal on it, which I cant make out in your pics...does that slide out once you have removed the three bolts? its the strip of rubber which runs the width of the car, above that central bolt.

 

cheers

 

mikef

The rubber strip that seals against the bonnet just sits on the plastic bulkhead extension tray. You can pull it off, push it on easily if you want, but you need to remove the extension tray to have a chance at getting at the filter.

 

A lot of people have problems sliding the filter/frame past the wiper motor. Use a torch and have a look around the wiper motor - I find the wiper wiring loom can block the path and the central thin plastic brace on the pollen frame can catch on the motor. A little pushing wires out of the way with fingers and a slight bending/persuasion of that frame brace is all thats required to get it past.

 

When putting the frame/filter back, its important to note that there are two lugs on the filter frame upper and lower edges near the right. These slide into channels in the body housing located near the right of housing. Again use a torch to see what I mean.

[tony68]

Nice need a mk2 manual and this is very good :D :D

[dean069]

Is this the filter as it says cabin filter ?

http://www.micksgarage.co.uk/ProdDetails.aspx?pid=1127333&pk=8A417&AffiliateID=32475&utm_campaign=google_base&utm_medium=shop_channel&utm_source=google_base&utm_content=&utm_term=

[sparky Paul]

Is this the filter as it says cabin filter ?

http://www.micksgara...tent=&utm_term=

 

Yes, thats the one.

 

You should be able to pick them up from a decent motor factor cheaper than that, or even fleabay for around

[Musogen]

Probably a v silly question, but how do i get to see the whole post?? Whatever I click on I just get the first photo with the same text...

 

M

[seatkid]

You are probably using Microsoft Internet Explorer? Internet Explorer does not work with this (and many other forum type) websites.

 

Use Firefox, Google Chrome or Opera and you should have full access to the website.

[chrispb123456]

Probably a v silly question, but how do i get to see the whole post?? Whatever I click on I just get the first photo with the same text...

 

M

There's 6 pages to this post, to see Seatkids whole "how to" you need to get on to page one and then scroll down.

 

Look to the top left of the first pic you will see the page numbers.

Edited February 11, 2012 by chrispb123456

[JClifton]

Absoutely impossible job. Thanks for the potential help Seatkid but on my 1999 Galaxy there simply isn't room to get the frame in behind the wiper motor. The wiper motor doesn't seem to be the problem though. I can't get the frame upright enough to even line up with the gap it's supposed to go through. Is the frame meant to be behind or in front of the clips that the bulkhead extension fits under (the little metal bits arrowed in one of your pics)? I am reluctant to start tinkering with the wiper linkage or the motor itself as I might put the wiper alignment out. Think I will take it to Mr Ford in the week to get one of their service guys to have a look. By the way, my filter was completely black and chokd with debris - I guess nobody has ever replaced this in the past and I can't say I blame them! Wish I had done this in 40 minutes lke another member here - I've worked on this for about 4 hours so far and had to break the old frame to remove it and buy a new one. How stupid do I feel...?

[sparky Paul]

Absoutely impossible job....

 

...How stupid do I feel...?

 

There's certainly no need to feel stupid, it is indeed virtually impossible on the late mk.I models fitted with the later 3 mounting hole wiper assembly. There simply isn't enough room to slide the filter out straight without moving the wiper assembly forwards. For some reason, it doesn't seem to be a problem on the mk.2 cars, and on the earlier mk.Is, the different wiper assembly gives more clearance.

 

What I do is remove the centre and nearside mounting bolts for the wiper assembly, and loosen the offside one. You can then tilt the wiper assembly far enough forward to give you just enough room to remove and replace the pollen filter.

Edited March 11, 2012 by sparky Paul

[chrispb123456]

As you say slightly more accessible on the MK2 but I still prefer to completely remove the wiper linkage and regrease those spindles, hoover out all the leaves and dirt then change the pollen filter.

[JClifton]

Absoutely impossible job. Thanks for the potential help Seatkid but on my 1999 Galaxy there simply isn't room to get the frame in behind the wiper motor. The wiper motor doesn't seem to be the problem though. I can't get the frame upright enough to even line up with the gap it's supposed to go through. Is the frame meant to be behind or in front of the clips that the bulkhead extension fits under (the little metal bits arrowed in one of your pics)? I am reluctant to start tinkering with the wiper linkage or the motor itself as I might put the wiper alignment out. Think I will take it to Mr Ford in the week to get one of their service guys to have a look. By the way, my filter was completely black and chokd with debris - I guess nobody has ever replaced this in the past and I can't say I blame them! Wish I had done this in 40 minutes lke another member here - I've worked on this for about 4 hours so far and had to break the old frame to remove it and buy a new one. How stupid do I feel...?

A final update for those still awake and who care. Took the Galaxy to Mr Ford in Farnborough (Hants) with engine trim etc removed ready to pop the new filter into place. Sounded even more tractor-like with less sound-proofing...! Anyway, a kindly engineer came to look, tried for 5 minutes before grabbing a ratchet spanner from his workshop. He took the passenger side wiper off and removed the bolt, followed by a second bolt in the middle of the wiper linkage assembly at the front. The whole wiper assembly was then free to be pulled down on the passenger's side, just about 4-6 inches. A moment later and he had success, put it all back together and left me to it. I gave him a tenner for his trouble. He said that sometimes they go in but sometimes they don't. His trick always sorts it for him.

Having seen him do it I reckon I could do it myself next time - except with the Galaxy having just completed 150,000 miles I don't think there will be a next time...!

[spangle]

Thanks Seatkid, just used this guide to change the filter on my 52 plate VW Sharan. 20 mins no hastles, job done :rolleyes:

[xavier]

Just did mine. Frame was broken but it probably made the job easier. Unclipped LHS of frame, and slid out that 1/2 of the frame, popped the old filter out, slid new filter in and into RHS of frame still in situ. Then put LHS of frame back in (the tricky part). Difference to blowers is substantial. Thanks Seatkid!

 

Will check on it later in the week when I get the Aux run on pump out (awaiting proper tool from Amazon after failing to remove hose clips with vice grips and water pump pliers).

[marinabrid]

did mine today,  usually goes in easy  as i have done job a few times,    today  it just wouldnt go     so after much cursing and tea drinking  i try again,    silly sod i had it the wrong way in   with the 2 tags facing the wrong way round,    to all mk 1 owners    you can get it in without removing bolts of wipers. you cant stand it upright though until you have passed the wiper motor   slide it in tilted  . 

[tim gerry]

The curved plastic surrounds the bottom of the windscreen between it and the plastic wiper mechanism cover.

Just done the pollen filter. Absolute  pig of a job. Took out the wiper motor and arms to get better access. Like previous note, the  re-fitting of the filter in its case into the former is a nightmare. I just hope it's worked and fits properly !

 

:5:

[davejohno]

THANKS FOR GREAT PICS WILL TRY TOMOZ

davejohno

[Kevinb]

To everyone who's posted on this thread with advice and their experiences,

 

Many thanks for the information. I seem to have one of "those mk.1s" which mates a Mk.1 car with a Mk.2 wiper linkage. Can it be removed without loosening bolts? Not a chance! I managed to carve my hand up and have almost nothing to show for it at the end. I did however find out the last person to fit the filter didn't bother fitting it correctly which explains why we get such lovely aromas in our car.....!

 

Right, can anyone confirm I need to remove the nearside and centre wiper securing bolts and loosen the offside bolt in order to allow for more room? Also, given I'm a little worried about screwing up the wiper system(!), do I need to be careful about anything with the wiper system? Do I need to re-align anything etc if I start loosening anything?

 

Cheers for any help people can offer.

 

Kevin

[sparky Paul]

You can't do much damage to the wiper assembly, just undo the mounting bolts and pull the wiper mechanism away from the pollen filter housing enough to slide the front cover out with the filter.

 

You can take out all 3 mounting bolts if you wish, the wiper assembly doesn't move far and is easy to shuffle back into place. You may also dislodge the windscreen trims whilst fiddling, but they are also easily clipped back into place.

Edited November 10, 2013 by sparky Paul