Cabin Blower Fan Filter Mod - Keep Leaves and Dust Out

[djawahir]

When I rebuilt my cabin blower fan a couple years ago, I had a bunch of leaves and other crap stuffed in the blower box, etc. Not wanting to do this again, I looked for a solution to keep this from happening again..

Finally I found one! (Yes it took me a couple of years, but I think it's brilliant!) I am using a K&N drycharger stretched over the intake to keep debris and fine particles out. (According to their website, it only reduces airflow by 10% or so.)

The air intake for the cabin blower fan is behind the windshield wiper motor.

Remove the 5 10mm fasteners for the wiper and the one 12mm nut on the wiper arm inside.

Finding a pair of small hands will make installation much, much easier.

$20 for the K&N Drycharger (Part #22-2020PL). It also comes in red!

 

[djawahir]

The air intake blower dimensions are approximately 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" and 4" tall.

The drycharger dimensions are: Width: 4.5 in (114 mm); Length: 7 in (178 mm); Height: 3 in (76 mm).
So, almost the same size.

 

[djawahir]

Here are pics before and after the install. It's a pretty snug fit.

 

[gregnash]

Nice find... you should post this up in the Under $50 Mods thread!!

 

[billmc]

I agree, it would be an excellent addition to the under $50 thread. I need to make a cover out of screen because I have mice regularly nesting in the squirrel cage. Last summer I turned the blower on and heard a strange thunk. When I opened it up for the nth time I found a freshly beheaded mouse.

 

[TobyB]

Do you sometimes find squirrels in your mouse cage, too?

heh

t

 

[billmc]

Do you sometimes find squirrels in your mouse cage, too?

heh

t

No, but I'm harbouring bats in my belfry

 

[langsen]

This is a great idea. Also, no need to remove the 12mm nut on the wiper arm, it's on a ball joint that pops off the motor if you pry it.

 

[djawahir]

langsen, that's good to know about not having to remove the wiper arm...

I will post this in the under $50 mods too. Great idea!

 

[lovetoski]

I purchased this k&n filter a few months ago. Weather was good yesterday, so I decided to give it a go. Perhaps my hands are too big, perhaps I just had the wrong technique, but this was super hard. I have lots of small scraps on my hands, and finally had to ask my wife to help. Her smaller hands helped a lot. But eventually the trick for us was to cut the filter so the elastic was loose. Then added a zip tie to keep it all in place.

Note the second pic shows the wiper relay...I actually removed this completely for the filter install, just took the pic as I was putting it back together. I didn't realize you could disconnect the motor from the relay rod until after I'd pulled the whole thing out.

We do a lot of dusty roads late summer...so I'm curious to see if this helps.

 

[Spike Strip]

I'm afraid to ask who's azz that is....

 

[Off Duty]

I'm afraid to ask who's azz that is....

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and guess it ain't his

Pretty cool little mod

 

[lovetoski]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and guess it ain't his

Pretty cool little mod

LOL!! That ass belongs to the person who's hands were the right size and skill to do this mod. Would have needed a wide-angle lens for mine!!

Back to tech - Airflow seems the same.

 

[Michael Hanson]

How long a life before it breaks down do you think. Mike

 

[lovetoski]

How long a life before it breaks down do you think. Mike

I am sure it will last a long time...no UV exposure, heat might be 200F max. No other environmental challenges I can think of. It's not flexed, nothing of any significant mass will hit it. It's unlikely any grease/oil/etc will touch it.

 

[Steve83]

This is a competing product, made in USA rated for 450°F about 2/3 the K&N's price with drawstrings instead of elastic:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC5SOU6/

 

[Elbert]

I need to take a look at this and clean out the area around the wiper motor linkage....I/m sure its "nasty"....