Fan noise after cabin filter replaced

spectaculous · July 20, 2017

i had this problem a few years back after my first filter change. when you go to pull the old/used filter, there will be leaves sitting on top that will fall into the blower fan if you don't slip a sheet of cardboard or plastic underneath the filter before you pull it.

i used a telescoping mirror to find where the leaf was. and then i stuffed my hand in there and fished it out with my fingers. i could barely get it.

OldBlue61 · July 20, 2017

All you have to do is take out like 4 screws holding the fan in place in the passenger footwell. I had to do this last time I replaced it. One leaf was causing the noise. I only replaced 3 of the screws because one was at a weird angle and stripped the head of it.

Thank you. I was hoping it would be fairly simple, and I was going to look after work today.

i had this problem a few years back after my first filter change. when you go to pull the old/used filter, there will be leaves sitting on top that will fall into the blower fan if you don't slip a sheet of cardboard or plastic underneath the filter before you pull it.

i used a telescoping mirror to find where the leaf was. and then i stuffed my hand in there and fished it out with my fingers. i could barely get it.

Perfect. I will try that first, then pull the 4 screws if that fails.

DanY · July 20, 2017

On one of the threads, someone had the bright idea to cut a sheet of thin plastic the size of the filter and then slid this under the filter before they removed it. All of the crap on top of the filter then fell onto the plastic instead of down into the fan.

I'm going to try this when it comes time to change my filter again.

spectaculous · July 20, 2017

On one of the threads, someone had the bright idea to cut a sheet of thin plastic the size of the filter and then slid this under the filter before they removed it. All of the crap on top of the filter then fell onto the plastic instead of down into the fan.

I'm going to try this when it comes time to change my filter again.

Pretty sure that was me with suggestion, tho i wasn't the first to try it out. Had to wait 20,000 miles or so before i had to replace that filter again.

We had these thin plastic cutting board sheets we used in the kitchen. i stole one and cut it to the right width to slip under the filter before i pull it. i've done this job now like 3 more times since the 1st change, and every time there are leaves laying on top of the dirty filters.

Ag76 · July 20, 2017

Pretty sure that was me with suggestion, tho i wasn't the first to try it out. Had to wait 20,000 miles or so before i had to replace that filter again.

We had these thin plastic cutting board sheets we used in the kitchen. i stole one and cut it to the right width to slip under the filter before i pull it. i've done this job now like 3 more times since the 1st change, and every time there are leaves laying on top of the dirty filters.

After I read your suggestion, I was able to talk my wife out of one of her old cutting sheets....I'm sure she just used that as a reason to get a new one.

OldBlue61 · July 21, 2017

I finally got the tiny little leaf out of the frickin fan, but man, what a pain. Looking through the opening for the filter, using a small flashlight and a little retractable claw tool, I got it out. I will definitely steel one of SO's thin cutting boards prior to changing it the nest time. Good idea.

Silverado Steve · July 21, 2017

Why use a plastic sheet? Just use one side of the carton the filter comes in ??

Ag76 · July 22, 2017

Why use a plastic sheet? Just use one side of the carton the filter comes in ??

Steve, mine didn't come in a carton....both times shipped in a sealed plastic bag with AC Delco part stickers on them.

Silverado Steve · July 22, 2017

Ive been using the Fram fresh breeze with charcoal from walmart...paid $14. The carton is the size of the filter i just cut out one end and voila....debris shield

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Edited July 22, 2017 by Silverado Steve

winn0040 · July 22, 2017

Steve, mine didn't come in a carton....both times shipped in a sealed plastic bag with AC Delco part stickers on them.

You can cut up a box from your case of Budweiser or your flavor of choice and that too doubles as a debris stopper.

emeryz28 · January 13, 2020

I was losing my mind as I was having the exact same problem as the OP! going to go leaf hunting tonight after work! The sound was driving me nuts

Gagliano7 · January 13, 2020

You could always use a compressor and blow it out if you cant reach the leave. What happens if you run the fan on high wit it open it might discard the leaf that way .

Glenn Tufts · May 6, 2022

Found debris including a dry leaf in fan blades. Must have dropped off old filter when removing. Was able to get it out with fingers and then I used vacuum with crevice tool to suck out rest. Fan blades are directly under filter. In my case, an easy fix.