Snow plugged cabin air filter

[Reidles]

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...

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Holy crap
I had no idea that was possible.
Something like that should probably be warrantied. I don't know how far you are from Whitehorse proper. Napa is showing they have the filters in stock at about $40. If you don't want to wait.

 

[maggy55]

My guess it filled with water then froze.

 

[Waterick]

Should able to get a cabin air filter thru A'zon at a good price.

 

[Reidles]

My guess it filled with water then froze.

those are snow crystals, last exposure to water would have been in October!

 

[HeyBales]

Well - the shroud that goes over the hole is big enough for rodents to get in - and not really a huge shroud.
So doesn't surprise me wind blown snow could get in. Surprised by how much - must have been perfect storm (!) of wind angle.
Should keep the mice from nesting there!

But ya, who wants to scrape the inside of your windshield for excess frozen moisture.

 

[bgn]

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...

Seems to me like the plastic intake cover under the black windshield cowling could be loose. Well-known problem.

 

[Mdmac]

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...

I bought a Cabin Air Filter from O'Reilly's. Plenty in stock and it's a Wix better than factory in my opinion

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I bought a Cabin Air Filter from O'Reilly's. Plenty in stock and it's a Wix better than factory in my opinion

I don't know if they have O'Reilly Auto parts in the Yukon?

 

[Fibrepunk]

Aftermarket air filter on Amazon, and buy a few to keep for standby.

 

[Cherokee]

Holy crap
I had no idea that was possible.
Something like that should probably be warrantied. I don't know how far you are from Whitehorse proper. Napa is showing they have the filters in stock at about $40. If you don't want to wait.

$40 !!!!
Walmart around here has them for $18
My Local Ford dealer has them for $34

 

[wax87]

Holy crap
I had no idea that was possible.
Something like that should probably be warrantied. I don't know how far you are from Whitehorse proper. Napa is showing they have the filters in stock at about $40. If you don't want to wait.

I just changed my with a NAPA filter this past week. No Snow, I am in Texas.

 

[deej]

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...

I bought a windshield cover that extends out over the hood that helps keep the snow out from between the hood and windshield, however don't close the little wing tabs in the doors as they instruct. You run the risk of creating a gap in the door seal, especially in really cold weather when the rubber seals aren't very flexible.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHMH2BJG?th=1

 

[boxster03]

Ford Engineering is dispatching a crack team via helicopter to investigate

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

$40 !!!!
Walmart around here has them for $18
My Local Ford dealer has them for $34

The $40 price could be because it's in Whitehorse Yukon Canada.

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