Heater and air vent cleaning: anyone had this done

[Google]

My local dealer charges around $100 for what they call an A/C service which really isn't an A/C service but cleaning out the vents to remove dust and debris like leaves from the vents.

Has anyone had this done? Have you done it yourself, if so how did you do it?

[Default User]

It is an easy DIY and I wouldn't pay $100 for someone else to do it.

[aris]

A air compresser works to clean out the air vents..

[Default User]

A air compresser works to clean out the air vents..

For those without a compressor - STAPLES carries compressed air in a can. It's used to blow the gunk outta your keyboards, CPU, etc.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

My local dealer charges around $100 for what they call an A/C service which really isn't an A/C service but cleaning out the vents to remove dust and debris like leaves from the vents.

Has anyone had this done? Have you done it yourself, if so how did you do it?

I see that your dealer is full of a lot more than hot air...

Your car comes with a cabin air filter that removes any larger particles of debris. It is like a furnace filter. There is no need to bother with this as there will always be some dust resident in your car, as there is everywhere else.

[Donutz]

Not all of our cars come with the cabin air filter. For example, my 05 hatch doesn't, however, there is a spot where the filter will fit. In this situation a can of compressed air on its own won't help. The best thing to do is find the how-to for replacing the cabin filter; this will give you a good starting point for cleaning your air vent system.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Not all of our cars come with the cabin air filter. For example, my 05 hatch doesn't, however, there is a spot where the filter will fit. In this situation a can of compressed air on its own won't help. The best thing to do is find the how-to for replacing the cabin filter; this will give you a good starting point for cleaning your air vent system.

Yah, true Jason. My 05' didn't come with the cabin air filter in it from factory either. Jimmy put one in at the last service.

[Google]

My 05' didn't come with the cabin air filter in it from factory either. Jimmy put one in at the last service.
Did Jimmy clean out the vents before he installed the cabin filter?

[Google]

BTW, here is the link on how to replace the cabin air filter. It looks daunting: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111059

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Did Jimmy clean out the vents before he installed the cabin filter?
No. I didn`t ask him too. Not much point.


BTW, here is the link on how to replace the cabin air filter. It looks daunting: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111059

It is a bitch of a job to do in the old gen 3's... Not sure about the new gen. Any 3 after 04&05 should already have a filter installed from factory.

[bluntman]

My fan started to make a "flapping" noise when on the #1 setting. I brought my car in to have it looked at among other things. As it turned out there was whole bunch of dead leaves and debris that caused the "flapping" noise and they also replaced the cabin air filter. Eventhough I was the one who initially installed the cabin air filter (as it wasn't standard on my model year), I gladly paid the dealership to do it because 1) I wanted them to investigate the "flapping" noise, and 2) I'm too old to contort my body in such a way as to be able to replace the cabin air filter. :D

[Google]

I think the dealer would only install the cabin filter, not clean it out. When I asked the service guy about replacing the cabin filter he said they dont dont do much cleaning there, just replace the filter. It sounds liek they want you to do the service and then pay the additional labour for the re and re of the filter.

I wonder if one can insist on them cleaning it out by taking the car to the service lot guys to get it vacuumed out and back to the mechanic to reinstall everything?