Snow plugged cabin air filter

[Timothyd]

4000km on my 2025 Hybrid XL AWD. During our cold snap (-30/-45) my HVAC started making a rattling noise and cabin airflow was low (windows wouldn't defrost, minimal air from vents.) It warmed up to -25 today so I decided to investigate. Pulled the cabin air filter and it looks like this:

utterly plugged with snow and ice. And the 'clean' side is covered with what looks like mold?

Local dealer said filters are on backorder and 'these things happen'.

Dealership I bought it from says they've never seen anything like it.

Thoughts? Advice? Similar stories?

We have snow 6-8 months of the year and I try and keep the cowling area snow free, but it can be a challenge, as anyone who has experienced snow knows with the wipers...

Another loooong winter. Thoughts? Head south for vacation

Sponsored

 

[Reidles]

Another loooong winter. Thoughts? Head south for vacation

and risk the dreaded deep sleep???

 

[Reidles]

Update - removed and dried filter and replaced. Brushed snow off cowl area. Drove 3km to work, HVAC got weak 1/2 way, no aiflow by the time I reached work. Popped cabin filter -

Left a message with service department, opened a case with Ford Canada. Truck is undriveable for a month until they can look at it. Pretty pissed off!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

We're talking -20° to -30° up in the Yukon. That's some pretty powdery snow being blown around. I guess it could be sucked in to the HVAC intake.

 

[HeyBales]

Update - removed and dried filter and replaced. Brushed snow off cowl area. Drove 3km to work, HVAC got weak 1/2 way, no aiflow by the time I reached work. Popped cabin filter -

Left a message with service department, opened a case with Ford Canada. Truck is undriveable for a month until they can look at it. Pretty pissed off!

Hmmm - you never noticed during rain any wet spots on passenger floor?
Of course that snow isn't getting through a crack in the cowl seal, like rain could.

But still - is there like a healthy layer of snow on your hood as you started out - or while driving?

I'm just picturing the harrowing snow storm you must have been driving thru to cause that.
Under normal circumstances.

 

[dsmessenger]

https://a.co/d/gMeZL1V

 

[Reidles]

Quick update on this - heading back to dealer for round 3!
Round 1 - Dealer couldn't find anything
Round 2 - Senior tech looked, removed cowling, everything normal, advised to use recirc HVAC when it snows (not possible as the system auto switches after 2 minutes because it senses there's too much moisture)
Round 3 - Service manager looking

I've opened a case with Customer Relations at Ford on this, and been in touch with the selling dealer (not the same one as the one doing the work), who advised I contact Ford engineering.

I'm bumping this post in case anyone else has had the issue? I've been fastidiously covering the cowling and windshield every time it snows, plus brushing all the snow off the vehicle. Still can't manage more than 20 minutes of driving before the HVAC filter is totally clogged with snow.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Autozone carries that air filter

 

[Reidles]

Autozone carries that air filter

I know.
But it fills with snow everytime I drive it! Don’t really want to go through 5 air filters a week…

 

[Jonny44]

I'll have to watch mine when the snow hits again. About the only time I use HVAC is when it's below zero F or if it's raining or snowing. Just changed the filter a couple of months ago but it was just dirty, not frozen! Best of luck!

 

[Cancunbadlands]

I know.
But it fills with snow everytime I drive it! Don’t really want to go through 5 air filters a week…

Is it snow? Maybe a water leak intrusion? Then freezing over?

 

[Reidles]

Is it snow? Maybe a water leak intrusion? Then freezing over?

yeah, def snow. Recognisable snow crystals rather than ice.

 

[wax87]

yeah, def snow. Recognisable snow crystals rather than ice.

does it get wet when it rains or when you wash it?

 

[Reidles]

does it get wet when it rains or when you wash it?

doesn't get wet when washing. Not had rain yet...

 

[wax87]

doesn't get wet when washing. Not had rain yet...

interesting, so what is different, when it melts it travels in a different way?

Sponsored