Cabin air filter

[Jim-K]

'04 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE package.

Does my truck have a cabin air filter? I searched the owner's manual index under "filter," "cabin," and "air filter" and found nothing. I checked the maintenance schedule and found no mention of replacing one. BUT, when I buy a replacement air or oil filter the cross reference at the parts store shows a replacement part number for a "cabin air filter." And, if I do have one, where is it?

[GM-Tech]

This is from a TSB we have...

 

 

Starting in the 2003 model year, the passenger compartment air filter is no longer available as a factory option. With the redesigned HVAC case, the opening for the filter cavity has been molded over.

 

I've seen mention of modifications you can do that would allow installing a filter, but I don't recall where. One of the truck forums out there. What kind of hack this is, I don't know.

[gmcjoe]

More 'cost saving'

[jhm]

I replaced mine after 4 years and 50k miles. It wasn't very dirty. I don't think you are missing much by not having one. This truck is the first vehicle I have owned in 30 years that had one. I like the windows down, they don't have filters.

[Jim-K]

This is from a TSB we have...

 

 

Starting in the 2003 model year, the passenger compartment air filter is no longer available as a factory option. With the redesigned HVAC case, the opening for the filter cavity has been molded over.

 

I've seen mention of modifications you can do that would allow installing a filter, but I don't recall where.  One of the truck forums out there.  What kind of hack this is, I don't know.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Thanks for the reply. I have no desire to add a filter and not having to replace one will save a couple of $$ in the future. It's just that cross references showed one and I thought that if I had one I probably ought to change it. I know the one in the wife's Buick looked pretty grungy and began to stink after a couple of years.

Apparently the listing in the X-refs was for the earlier model years.

[gmcjoe]

Mine was very dirty after 100K miles - I was lazy

[chanswork]

I wished my 2003 silverado would have one of these cabin filters. I definately would want one. My 2001 Tahoe cabin filter was changed at 50,000 and it was realllllly dirty. I don't do anything but city driving and very occasional camping trips. Without that filter, I would be breathing in most of that air.

[Mr. Smith]

Here are a couple links on the retrofitting of filters. You will probably have to register to see the pics.

 

Link #1

 

Link #2

[skills4lou]

My wife's minivan has the cabin air filters. Just hit 100K miles. I pulled them out, used the shop vac to clean them, and reinstalled. The where pretty dirty, but I can't see why just cleaning them is a bad thing. They still flow plenty of air, they don't stink, and I saved about $30.

[jhm]

I guess the reason my filters were not very dirty after 50k is because most times if I am using the heat or AC I have it on recirculation mode. Maybe if it was constantly sucking outside air it would be worse. I only paid about $15.00 for the generic replacements, probably about a third of what GM parts would cost.