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

[Old Young Man]

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

I write a date on mine in small print. Waiting to see
If they try this. Could also make a small mark with a sharpie.

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[bgctcowboy628]

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.

While it is possible that the factory may have neglected to install the filter, at some point in time someone should have suggested that the filter be changed. If it is still under warranty I would definitely have the dealer fix anything wrong. My personal bitch is the air in the back seat. Ford has such a crappy design that the poor passengers in the back suffer a great deal

 

[Tbone91]

While it is possible that the factory may have neglected to install the filter, at some point in time someone should have suggested that the filter be changed. If it is still under warranty I would definitely have the dealer fix anything wrong. My personal bitch is the air in the back seat. Ford has such a crappy design that the poor passengers in the back suffer a great deal

As for the rear passengers, not sure how much it'll help, if at all, but been meaning to try them

 

[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.

UPDATE. Compressor is fried. No longer under warranty, $1500-$2000 to repair. There are only 2 reasons this happened. Either it came from factory without the cabin filter or a mechanic at the dealership took it out and never replaced it. If they think I'm going to pay for the repair they have another thing coming.

 

[icegradner]

Dealerships can be really hit and miss, just remember the youngest and most inexperienced techs do the oil and filter services. Always check their work.

 

[DinoLord]

UPDATE. Compressor is fried. No longer under warranty, $1500-$2000 to repair. There are only 2 reasons this happened. Either it came from factory without the cabin filter or a mechanic at the dealership took it out and never replaced it. If they think I'm going to pay for the repair they have another thing coming.

A missing cabin air filter isn't going to "fry" a compressor.

 

[BlindMello]

A missing cabin air filter isn't going to "fry" a compressor.

Look it up. It absolutely will.
Yes, a missing cabin air filter can indirectly damage your AC compressor [1]. Without it, unfiltered debris like leaves, dirt, and dust get pulled into your HVAC system. This buildup restricts airflow, forcing the system to overwork, which can ultimately cause the compressor to fail.

 

[DinoLord]

Look it up. It absolutely will.
Yes, a missing cabin air filter can indirectly damage your AC compressor [1]. Without it, unfiltered debris like leaves, dirt, and dust get pulled into your HVAC system. This buildup restricts airflow, forcing the system to overwork, which can ultimately cause the compressor to fail.

I ended my sentence early. I meant to say that quickly.

Unless you live in the dirtiest place on Earth? How does your evap core look?

 

[dalola]

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

Actually, your HVAC is a great place to use a K&N, unlike the engine. I put a K&N in my HVAC early on, & clean it every other oil change. The HVAC application is not oiled, so it's very simple.

 

[Tbone91]

Actually, your HVAC is a great place to use a K&N, unlike the engine. I put a K&N in my HVAC early on, & clean it every other oil change. The HVAC application is not oiled, so it's very simple.

Hmm... did not know that!

 

[Bob zimmerman]

I guess I’m surprised people do so little regular maintenance to their property. House, car, whatever.

It’s just crazy. This is first grade stuff. Check the oil, check filters.
I don’t usually flame people but I’m still having a hard time that people blame the dealer for their own lack of basic maintenance.

OP says he has a 2022. So in all these years, the OP has never done anything to the truck other than put in gas. Whew!

A big step in life is humility. And blaming others for your shortcomings is a lack of humility. Lord knows there is very little humility on this forum!


Rant off.

Bob sour grapes.

 

[HeyBales]

Look it up. It absolutely will.
Yes, a missing cabin air filter can indirectly damage your AC compressor [1]. Without it, unfiltered debris like leaves, dirt, and dust get pulled into your HVAC system. This buildup restricts airflow, forcing the system to overwork, which can ultimately cause the compressor to fail.

I'll have to take a closer look under the hood for the normal high/lo pressure sensors that prevent a compressor from running. Maybe we don't have them.

I've just dealt with 2 units at work. Condenser side door open too long no air flow and high pressure switch kicks compressor off.
Just had the evap side door open too long and the low pressure switch shut the unit down - lack of air flow thru the evap coil - which is what you'd be looking at with a really dirty evap that would be just like being iced up.
Which frankly if it was that bad for the air flow, probably would be icing up, and then moisture in the foot wells as so much ice melted. Maybe that all made it's way outside thru the drain - should have a mass of water under the truck. Or in footwell.

They should still take care of it due to probably checking the filter at some point, and forgetting to put it back being scatterbrained or interrupted and not confirming.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

No surprise to me.
Recent research indicates that 1 in 5 people never check engine oil.
Mar 2, 2024 · Recent research indicates that 1 in 5 people never check engine oil, and 3 million say that they don't even know how to check their engine.
My wife knows how to check the oil in her Escape but she doesn't.

 

[Tbone91]

No surprise to me.
Recent research indicates that 1 in 5 people never check engine oil.
Mar 2, 2024 · Recent research indicates that 1 in 5 people never check engine oil, and 3 million say that they don't even know how to check their engine.
My wife knows how to check the oil in her Escape but she doesn't.

My girlfriend knows how to do oil check, coolant top off and check tire pressures on her Escape....but I still have to do it at least she gets her own gas

 

[HeyBales]

This thread is just reminding me the reason I don't like taking vehicles in, is the free checks they'll do purely to find something wrong to sell service on.

But I've totally forgotten they may be doing some checks when I take it in for other reasons, and not mentioning it because nothing was found to offer me service on.
But if they shoved that filter back in wrong, or forgot to (I replaced with nicer one that is harder to get in carefully) - I've not been checking to confirm they put stuff back right.
Actually, they'd probably mess up my glove box arrangement and I'd notice that - so perhaps hasn't been done.

I can't recall now as a teenager if I used a coupon naively for a free whatever-point inspection at Firestone, or it was done when I took it in for something like tires, and I said yes.
But I look thru the window to check progress and car was in closest bay.
They had drum off checking shoes, banging on something - and I saw the brake dust floating down to the drum with bearing side up. I thought that was purposeful.
I thought that won't be good. Nope, 3-4 months later it wasn't. Replaced my own bearing and at least nice and easy (Datsun 310 I think).
Decided then I'll be doing as much as I can myself. Borrowed dad's tools, brain, and assist many times on bigger things. Still have his tools, but not the same skills (he raced and did engine breakdowns), and my son's assist if really needed. Actually his brain too - because he knows everything as a teenager!

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