Ac/heat issues. 47,000 miles NO CABIN FILTER-EVER?

[BlindMello]

I've had my truck since 2022. Always serviced at dealership. Been having issues with the AC lately. Luke warm air. Checked the cabin air filter for the first time to see conditon. Low and behold, NO FILTER! Dealership tells me they have no record of ever replacing it. Which I think is false (don't be like me, always keep your maintenance records). In other words they are implying the truck never came with a filter installed. Now they want to clean up sensors and place a new filter. Everything I've read online points to long term damage to the cooling/heating system. Good times.

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[HeyBales]

Damage?

Eh - probably just dirty. But a bear to clean anyway.

Just like your home system that people fail to replace filters on and it freezes up the coil, usually sensors are going to cause it to stop operating eventually before damage is done.
But home systems may be old enough that stress does kill a component during that time.

You probably felt no cold air either because the coil was frozen up due to lack of air flow - or the sensors prevented compressor from actually working due to airflow causing enough issue.
But at least it ain't old.

Considering checking the filter is on the list of things to do on a regular basis - if the dealership records don't show it being done - maybe you could nab them for failing to when they were supposed to. Or you'll be nabbed for not having records it was done.

 

[BlindMello]

Damage?

Eh - probably just dirty. But a bear to clean anyway.

Just like your home system that people fail to replace filters on and it freezes up the coil, usually sensors are going to cause it to stop operating eventually before damage is done.
But home systems may be old enough that stress does kill a component during that time.

You probably felt no cold air either because the coil was frozen up due to lack of air flow - or the sensors prevented compressor from actually working due to airflow causing enough issue.
But at least it ain't old.

Considering checking the filter is on the list of things to do on a regular basis - if the dealership records don't show it being done - maybe you could nab them for failing to when they were supposed to. Or you'll be nabbed for not having records it was done.
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Damage?

Eh - probably just dirty. But a bear to clean anyway.

Just like your home system that people fail to replace filters on and it freezes up the coil, usually sensors are going to cause it to stop operating eventually before damage is done.
But home systems may be old enough that stress does kill a component during that time.

You probably felt no cold air either because the coil was frozen up due to lack of air flow - or the sensors prevented compressor from actually working due to airflow causing enough issue.
But at least it ain't old.

Considering checking the filter is on the list of things to do on a regular basis - if the dealership records don't show it being done - maybe you could nab them for failing to when they were supposed to. Or you'll be nabbed for not having records it was done.

I think they know the effed up. They notified the general manager. Going in for service tomorrow. We'll see what happens. Thanks for your reply. I'd much rather be the nabber than the nabbee.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I think they know the effed up. They notified the general manager. Going in for service tomorrow. We'll see what happens. Thanks for your reply. I'd much rather be the nabber than the nabbee.

I'm convinced that some dealerships keep a dirty air/cabin filter handy, just to use it to walk in the waiting room and try to sell you a replacement.

I've tried to slow that process down, plus provide myself a reminder, by putting a label on the glove box door.

HRG

 

[BlindMello]

I'm convinced that some dealerships keep a dirty air/cabin filter handy, just to use it to walk in the waiting room and try to sell you a replacement.

I've tried to slow that process down, plus provide myself a reminder, by putting a label on the glove box door.

HRG

Great idea. If I didn't have ADD I would do the same, lol. Thanks

 

[Bob zimmerman]

Excuse me.

Are you incapable of checking your own cabin filter? Why are you blaming someone else for your poor attentiveness?
.

I’m sorry but….
You might want to look at the oil once in a while too BTW.
Bob

 

[notaz3]

I doubt the lack of a/c air filter would be the problem I've had many vehicles without filters. Never had an issue with them throughout the years. And I live in very poor air quality areas.

Might want to find an independent mechanic and have them check the a/c system and service it.

 

[MaverickDragon]

I'm convinced that some dealerships keep a dirty air/cabin filter handy, just to use it to walk in the waiting room and try to sell you a replacement.

I've tried to slow that process down, plus provide myself a reminder, by putting a label on the glove box door.
HRG

Good idea on the reminder.

Sometimes they go ahead and "inspect" the filter even if it isn't scheduled, but apparently not in the OP's case.
For keeping the service departments honest, but a mark of some kind on the back side of the filter when you change it yourself. It's a two minute DIY job.

If they show you the dirty "shop" filter, take a look and see if your mark is there.
Raise hell as appropriate.

I started doing the secret mark after a dealer pulled the "you have a dirty cabin filter" routine.
I said, really.. That's amazing since I just changed it yesterday.. Crickets...

 

[BlindMello]

Excuse me.

Are you incapable of checking your own cabin filter? Why are you blaming someone else for your poor attentiveness?
.

I’m sorry but….
You might want to look at the oil once in a while too BTW.
Bob

We've been expecting you.

 

[Meeka]

Excuse me.

Are you incapable of checking your own cabin filter? Why are you blaming someone else for your poor attentiveness?
.

I’m sorry but….
You might want to look at the oil once in a while too BTW.
Bob

Obviously you’re quite capable of putting other people down without knowing them and their capabilities, good for you. 🥱

 

[Fcnrwy]

Excuse me.

Are you incapable of checking your own cabin filter? Why are you blaming someone else for your poor attentiveness?
I’m sorry but….
You might want to look at the oil once in a while too BTW.
Bob

Cool your jets my friend..
For some (myself included) this probably is the FIRST TIME in dealing with this stuff.
I found it, when I was looking though the Parts List (replacement) in the Owner's Manual. So, I could stock up on what the Mav, needed. On this forum, someone had posted a link to a YouTube vid, on where to look and how to replace it.

As Far as the Dealership, goes....
I am surprised THEY did not mention the Lost filter to the OP. OR did they even bother to check on it on his previous visits.. I mean, if it wasn't there. There was Their chance to sell you one..

Jerry

 

[KO Stradivarius]

I've had my truck since 2022. Always serviced at dealership. Been having issues with the AC lately. Luke warm air. Checked the cabin air filter for the first time to see conditon. Low and behold, NO FILTER! Dealership tells me they have no record of ever replacing it. Which I think is false (don't be like me, always keep your maintenance records). In other words they are implying the truck never came with a filter installed. Now they want to clean up sensors and place a new filter. Everything I've read online points to long term damage to the cooling/heating system. Good times.

I would have a tough time not embarrassing myself if I were in your shoes. If you have faithfully been taking your vehicle to the dealer and paying for their expensive oil changes with the "Works package" for which they are required to check the filters (as part of the "multi-point inspection"), then you were paying for them to maintain your filter. And then this happens!

I guess I can MAYBE see them asking you a question about whether you removed the filter for some reason, but when you say "absolutely not", the filter is missing and there is damage, then they better be kissing some butt real quick.

Ask for the Service Manager immediately and tell them you ain't leaving until you speak to him/her, "this is gonna take a while".

And @Bob Zimmerman, your post is just "sauteed in wrong sauce".

 

[Khain]

I've had my truck since 2022. Always serviced at dealership. Been having issues with the AC lately. Luke warm air. Checked the cabin air filter for the first time to see conditon. Low and behold, NO FILTER! Dealership tells me they have no record of ever replacing it. Which I think is false (don't be like me, always keep your maintenance records). In other words they are implying the truck never came with a filter installed. Now they want to clean up sensors and place a new filter. Everything I've read online points to long term damage to the cooling/heating system. Good times.

That’s frustrating! It’s wild they’d let it leave the factory without a cabin filter, but without your receipts, you're stuck. A missing filter won't inherently cause long-term HVAC damage, though your evaporator core and sensors might get clogged with debris over time.
If their cleaning and a new filter don’t fix the lukewarm air, check your refrigerant, the ambient air temp sensor up front, or your blend door actuator. For future reference, you can buy and install the filter yourself in 5 minutes, IMO

 

[Nw_adventure]

I'm convinced that some dealerships keep a dirty air/cabin filter handy, just to use it to walk in the waiting room and try to sell you a replacement.

I've tried to slow that process down, plus provide myself a reminder, by putting a label on the glove box door.

HRG

Yep this cabin-filter cash/cow scam is now the biggest money maker in the industry-

Every car I saw in 45 minutes come thru the local J/Lube was shown a dirty filter and said its time to replace while I was waiting for an emissions test-

And during an oil change at my local Ford dealer sometimes back- A tech much have pulled out my clean AF cabin filter then slammed it back in causing a huge kink on the backside that I did not realize and ending up seeing when I upgraded to a 2.5 micron filter -

 

[Tbone91]

I've always changed my own air and cabin filters. Just a cheap and easy job to do, with piece of mind it was done. And done properly. I usually get K&N air filters, slap the sticker on the box saying it's installed. Haven't done it yet on the Maverick. One time with an old car I had, can't remember which one, but they came out and said your air filter is dirty. I jumped up and said "don't touch it! It's a K&N reusable filter." Checked it later, it wasn't that dirty I usually clean them when necessary....yea, yea, I know, give me the about K&N filters not doing anything but clogging your sensors, I'm listening never had any issues myself. It's my money and I'll spend it how I want! besides, a K&N sticker is another 5 hps

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