Hi,

I may have a dumb question here, but I'm wondering if my car has a cabin filter.

I ask because right now when I start my car and have the "fresh air" on through the vents, it smells kinda mouldy or something.

AND no matter the temperature outside, the vents always blow very hot air, even on the coldest setting.

Will just replacing my regular air filter fix this, or is there a seperate cabin filter (or some other cause) that I should look at.

Thanks
Macdian

 

No cabin filter.
First available on the '98's and later

Sounds like the temp control has problems.

P

PS: what Model DX, LX etc?

 

Really? My original thoughts were that the air is being "held up" by a plugged up air filter (plugged up by mould or something) and is then being heated up more inside the engine compartment, before entering the cabin.

Or does the cold air enter into the system from outside the engine compartment?

PS - it's an EX, with non-functioning air conditioning right now (hence the always hot air isn't the funnest thing on earth right now)

 

The cabin air is traditionally taken in thru a plenum camber located at the high pressure area formed at the bottom of the windshield. It is manipulated by the heater/ac control system by a series of selector controls via electrical commands and cables which control such things as heat/cold selector door, and temp blend doors within the heater case. Along with that, the system also shuts off (or turns on) hot water from the engine to the heater core depending on what's needed.

It sounds like the hot water control valve, and the temp select door may be stuck in the "heat" position.

Heater Case (unit) (honda)
http://www.hondaautomotivepart...+UNIT

A/C (evaporator case)
http://www.hondaautomotivepart...81%29

One case is attached to the other, and all fit up behind your glove box

P

PS: with the A/C inop, you can only expect ambient air from the vents (no colder). But again, it sounds like the systems stuck in the "Heat" mode.

 

Hi again P,

Sorry no response for a while.

I think you're right, which is actually why the A/C is not working - tonight, I turned the A/C on while in the car just to see what happened, and it did slightly cool the air...

Is it possible for one of those two (the hot water control valve and/or the temp select door) to not be closing completely? I can make the air hotter by turning the dial all the way to hot, but it only returns to about mid-hot when all the way on cold.

If this could be the case, I know where the heater case and evaporator case are (thanks to your great links), but how to I go about fixing the problem? Replace them? Do I have to remove the cases? Would it just be easier to have someone do it for me if I don't have a ton of time?

Thanks,

Macdian

 

Most likely there's a "magic' proceedure involving a Marsupial, a Vodka Martini and a 82 lb Midget known only to former Honda Techs, that would fix you up quick. Unfortunately, I'm not privy to it.
I think (IMHO), it would be best (and least expensive) to have it done by either a dealer, or a local Indy who specializes on Honda's. (rather than sit and throw parts at it)

P

 

Thanks, P. I had already tried the Marsupial, Vodka Martini and 82lb midget, but the midget drank the martini, and began beating the marsupial, so not much work was accomplished.

I guess I'll have to try my luck with the chimpanzees at the dealer.

Thanks again.
Macdian

 

The Helm repair manual should show how to dismantle all that stuff. If you've never taken apart your dashboard, it's a real treat. After spending hours just getting to where you can SEE those heater boxes, you can look for vent damper controls that are broken or disconnected.

Still, you may have to remove & clean out those air ducts if they're moldy or something. It's not really difficult, just very tedious. Lots of unrelated parts to remove & lose track of.

 

you can manually close the water valve in the engine compartment. Just set your temp **** to max cold and open hood and check to see if the valve closes all the way, if not just close it and see if that solves the problem. If it does, you what what you gotta fix.

You can look under the dash and see if the cable that closes the door is working and if it is not working properly, then repair it.

 

Which immediately prompted a responce from the American Marsupial Liberties Union (AMLU) calling for federal funds, a Congressional Investigation (By-Partisan of course) and a Supreme Court Ruling designating Bayone New Jersey a marsupial free zone
LOL

P

 

addressing the smell problem. Lysol is your friend. Just the normal spray. Spray the top part of your dash, where the dash meets the winshield. It will kill all germs and mold. I had a del sol and we all know del sol leaks water and works like a charm.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MiX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">addressing the smell problem. Lysol is your friend. Just the normal spray. Spray the top part of your dash, where the dash meets the winshield. It will kill all germs and mold. I had a del sol and we all know del sol leaks water and works like a charm. </TD></TR></TABLE>

the best way to get rid of the smell is to remove the evap and totally clean it, replace the foam insulators, spray with lysol or fridgy-fresh before reassembling it......
As for the del sol leaking there were a bunch of bulletin and seal replacement to do ,,we had to go to a 2 day school just to replace the weatherstrips and fix all the squeaks rattles from the removable roof on those **** boxes

 

Yes for the cooling problem it is most likely the heater valve under the hood near the firewall. Turn to max cold and if you push it towards the firewall. A 1/8 of an inch could produce cooler air of up to 8-12 degrees F. It is amazing.
Also I agree with D-H. The best way to remove smell is to remove evaporator. If you think you are low on freon anyway(if the valve thing is working or you moved it and you still don't have cold air) then you could evacuate and check for leaks and also remove the evap and clean out at this time.

Hope this helps.

 

[QUOTE] JimBlake
"If you've never taken apart your dashboard, it's a real treat."

Probably the best example of an understatement that I've ever seen.

P