So my aircon has started to get a little smelly, especially if I didn't use it for a few days. It was a sort of eggy kind of sulphur sort of smell.
I decided to change the pollen filter as there was no mention of it in the service history and then run an aircon cleaner through the system.

I'd love to know who designed the placement of the pollen filter in the MK4 Mondeo and I'd love to know what drugs they were taking. Most cars have them located under the scuttle panel and it's usually a 10min job to replace them.
My Mondeo however has the pollen filter burried deep inside the dashboard. In order to replace it you must remove the glovebox, the carpet in the footwell, the body control module and the ECU. As I dare not disconnect any of these you have no room to remove the bolts that hold the cover for the pollen filter in and you have about 3" to remove a 10" long pollen filter.




It took me longer to change the pollen filter than it does for me to do an oil change. Took me an hour and 20 mins.

The cats made things interesting though!

 

You will find most modern cars have the pollen filter behind the glove box or the centre of the dash now. I don't find the pollen filters that bad to do on fords tbh.

 

At Mazda where I work I think it's the old shape Mazda 3s u have to pretty much dismantle the entire passenger side dash and take out the fuse box and brackets and all sorts of shit. Bloody nightmare considering its a service item! Though even on a lot of modern cars just changing the oil or fuel filter is another bloody job in itself!

 

When I worked at ford I remember doing the galaxy pollen filters, on one year model u had to remove the scuttle panel, wiper linkage and all sorts of shit and it was still a pain to fit! Cars don't seem to be made with servicing/maintenance in mind anymore. I remember the old mk3 cAvaliers and astras they were designed so u didn't have to take the gearbox out to change the clutch. Then came the vectra and they changed the design. Bloody ridiculous

 

These can be done with the glove box in...in about 5 minutes with plenty of practice and scratched hands. Still an absolutely ridiculous design

 

Lol at the cats. What a carry on eh matey.

 

On a golf you don't even need any tools. Twist a plastic screw with your hand, slide off the cover and it pulls down. Takes 2 mins

 

BTW did it work?

 

Yeah. Aircon smells like a hospital now!
Can't believe how much better the airflow is too with the new pollen filter.

 

the zafiras and ford fiestas are terrible as well!

 

Happy days! It's one filter people seldom change

 

Mk2 focus is the same buried behind the radio! Pig of a job for something that costs £3-5 yet nearly 2 hours labour

 

Done a few focus's now, can manage to swing the fusebox out the way, only about 20mins now. With a lot of swearing of course.

 

probably some numpty at valeo

 

I'll not get you to do mine then lol

 

Was waiting for you to see this, would be much appreciated pal.

 

No worries lol.

Do it all you want if you buy it

 

similar to a mk2 focus.
my focus had full service history when i bought and only just had a full major service before i bought it. when i got the pollen filter out, id say it had never been changed - it was covered in shit. Obviously too much hassle for garages to change

 

Ive changed a pollen filter on a mk2 focus too.

 

Found the same before with air filters fuel filters etc.

Last garage I had in Blackpool were shit hot and kept the old parts for inspection.

Now live in liverpool and mikeyrobbo does everything now. Top lad. Even my family use him.

 

well done

 

You don't need to take all that lot out, just drop the fusebox down and take off the fuse box bracket. (2 x 13mm nuts) The filter is quite flexible.. having a nifty little 1/4" air ratchet helps too.

As this man says

Can't beat E46 BMW pollen filter, just 2 twisty widgets under the bonnet and that's it

 

That was the best design ever, so simple to do!

Then the twats changed it..

 

Yeah init just, I still got the 3 metal clamps for the clutch in my toolbox just in case lol

 

The pollen filter on the Focus took me fucking ages

My ribs were killing from the stupid angle I had to climb in the car. One horrible job. I think next time it needs replacing I will have to scrap the car

 

What, for pollon filters, or, as a car in general!? Fucking hate ours, what ever possessed me to buy a Vauxhall I'll never know!?

 

I told my old man I'd sort his pollen filter out in his Galaxy, it's a 55 plate.

Does anyone have any tips for me, any experience to share?

I knew it'd be an awkward job, now I've read this and fearing the worst!

 

Pollen filter........it looks like the cats need changing!

 

Do sierras have pollen filters? Never seen one forsale before, mk5 fiesta is super easy two clips next to the engine fuse box and away you go.

Is that sulphur smell not harmful? Guy I work with has quite abit of experience in office aircon and has told me they are bad for stagnent water which can cause legionnaires disease.

 

Try on a few of the Mazdas at the dealers I've just left, literally half of the passenger dash and centre console and everything has to come out. I seem to remember some of the old ford galaxies u had to remove the complete wiper mechanism and motor etc

 

You only need to remove the body control module. Takes about 15 mins tops to change the pollen filter. S-max/galaxy and focus are in the same place. New fiesta is the other side and a lot easier. We get quite a few coming in with no airflow as they've been to Fred in the shed for the last services and they've not changed the filter.

 

Don't piss about. Take the airbox,engine cover,wiper arms,both parts of the scuttle panel and the wiper motor/linkage off. Easy then. You can do it without taking the wiper linkage off but it's very fiddly and not worth the effort.