Hot Vent

[Mike]

2005 WRX

Even when it is cool outside and I have just the _vent_ on (no A/C) and the
dail to full cold, the air comes out much warmer than the outside air temp
were the windows down. This makes me believe that the air is pulled in from
under the hood where the temps are much warmer... Where exactly does the
outside air source from on the WRX and can a small duct be routed to draw
air from a cooler place?

BTW, The "cabin filtration system"... I cannnot find the filter. With 12000
miles and one year, how badly would it be clogged (I run the A/C a lot with
recirc here in S. Texas).... Is it really necesarry to change every 7500
miles? Anyone have experience with this stuff?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Yeah, that cabin filter is something I may tackle myself on my wife's
'03 OBW. Unfortunately, the glove box must come out. And, the 2 filters
are $31+ mailorder. When I get the old ones out I'm gonna try to refit
them with A/C filter material and make my own replacements for next
time. I THINK the WRX has a single filter. probably get someone to refer
you to online step-by-step procedure if you ask at either www.nasioc.com
or www.usmb.net

Carl

 

[Cixcos]

I wash the filters in mild detergent and then place them back. The cost
of replacement is just too high.

Ben

 

[mulder]

2005 WRX

Even when it is cool outside and I have just the _vent_ on (no A/C) and the
dail to full cold, the air comes out much warmer than the outside air temp
were the windows down. This makes me believe that the air is pulled in from
under the hood where the temps are much warmer... Where exactly does the
outside air source from on the WRX and can a small duct be routed to draw
air from a cooler place?

BTW, The "cabin filtration system"... I cannnot find the filter. With 12000
miles and one year, how badly would it be clogged (I run the A/C a lot with
recirc here in S. Texas).... Is it really necesarry to change every 7500
miles? Anyone have experience with this stuff?

Thanks!
Mike

It's possible the HVAC controls need to be adjusted, although on the
05 they may be the automatic ones (I don't recall for sure). On the
manual systems the control cables can be out of adjustment and cause
the vent to allow in some warm air from the heater core even with the
dial on full cool. In any case since it's an 05 you should take it
back to the dealer and have them look at it and make any necessary
repairs.
The cabin filter is located behind the glovebox in the fan housing,
behind a small trap door. You do have to remove the glovebox to access
it unless Subaru has made some design changes. The filter needs to be
serviced when it gets sufficiently clogged to affect airflow (or
preventively before that point), the interval will vary depending on
where you live and drive. The filters are in the $30-40 range as
mentioned if you buy them from the dealer, however it is possible to
make your own from readily available home furnace filters for much
less. Here is a thread on NASIOC that describes how to do this-
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476514

 

[Mike]

Does K&N make a filter for this?

Mike

It's possible the HVAC controls need to be adjusted, although on the
05 they may be the automatic ones (I don't recall for sure). On the
manual systems the control cables can be out of adjustment and cause
the vent to allow in some warm air from the heater core even with the
dial on full cool. In any case since it's an 05 you should take it
back to the dealer and have them look at it and make any necessary
repairs.
The cabin filter is located behind the glovebox in the fan housing,
behind a small trap door. You do have to remove the glovebox to access
it unless Subaru has made some design changes. The filter needs to be
serviced when it gets sufficiently clogged to affect airflow (or
preventively before that point), the interval will vary depending on
where you live and drive. The filters are in the $30-40 range as
mentioned if you buy them from the dealer, however it is possible to
make your own from readily available home furnace filters for much
less. Here is a thread on NASIOC that describes how to do this-
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476514

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I dunno. Purolator makes cabin filters for several makes - no Subaru
last I looked.

Carl

 

[mulder]

Does K&N make a filter for this?

Mike

K&N doesn't make cabin filters AFAIK. I am not aware of any
aftermarket replacements for the Subaru cabin filter, yet, so as of
now it's either buy the OEM one or DIY.

 

[B a r r y]

I dunno. Purolator makes cabin filters for several makes - no Subaru
last I looked.

Cut a larger filter into 3-4 for your application.

2005 Toyota Tacoma owners have started doing this, as the truck has a
slot, but there are no filters available. Even Toyota doesn't sell a
filter element.

You can make 3 or 4 for the cost of a decent furnace filter (I start
with a 20x20), some scrap cardboard, and duct tape. That's (4), for
less than $20. To save time, cut all of them while to knife and
straightedge is out, and reuse the cardboard frame. Use the scrap to
create a blank, which is the used as a pattern.

 

[CompUser]

@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>, m.l.l.o.y.d.u.s.c.
@.y.a.h.o.o...c.o.m says...

Does K&N make a filter for this?

Bwah hahahah! Good one!

Just use a decent home HVAC filter...20x20 will
yield four 7.5" x 8" pieces for four dollars.
Cut em with tin snips, duct tape a little flange
all the way around and you got it.

It's amazing how much crap they collect...you'll
be surprised, guaranteed.