Guide to Pollen Filter change

[Welton]

Here's how I changed my Pollen Filter (multi filter):

Note; this is a horrible job, takes about an hour but I'd say you could do it in 30 mins next time around. I am 40 and probably not as agile as I used to be but some of the positions required to do this job will test your patience for sure. I've got quite a few minor cuts, saw elbows and a bruised hip! anyway, I'll soldier on....

First up, get this bit of carpet down in the PASSENGER foot well by pressing lightly in the centre of the two round 'popper' fixings:


This is what's up there, and in the way of the job:


This fuse holder/CEM unit needs to be lowered and pulled clear of its mounting bracket you release the unit with the two turn-buckle things. Here you can see where the unit can be lowered for changing fuses or pulled clear of the bracket:

The unit lowered down:

And the unit lowered (pull the carpeting down first) ignore the plastic trims I removed, that was me investigating the access:


Now you need to get the white bracket off (because it's in the way of the filter 'door') by undoing the two 13mm nuts using a socket on an extension bar, I just let the bracket fall down out of the way (careful not to drop the nuts though because they fall behind the carpet - twice in my case!):


Now get the pollen filter cover plate off, this should have 3 x 7mm? hex-head screws but mine only had one in the centre (dealers probably lost the others or gave up the will to live at this point so one it is) the cover pulls slightly towards the bulkhead as it has a 'tab' along its length:

Me reaching to get the screw out by hand so it didn't drop somewhere:


Now, wrestle the old filter out by pulling to the left - you'll have to squash it down to get it past the CEM etc and some bits of leaves and stuff will fall out - I used a long hoover nozzle to vacuum the bits up and got my finger in the empty filter casing to flick out for any bits.

The new one has to be offered 'up' the back of the bulkhead to clear the wiring looms and then brought down level with the filter box and pushed in - again the filter squashes down when you need which helps:



To compare, the old one has done about 14,000 miles in 17 months, that's 'if' it got changed at the previous service. Also note the direction of airflow is marked on the filter and must be fitted the correct way, for reference the air comes from the front of the car towards the Radio:


When you put the CEM/fuse holder back (remember to replace that white bracket) be careful as the wiring connectors can 'unhook' themselves one did it twice on me and was labelled 'cockpit 2' - just make sure the connectors are seated fully on both sides of the unit:


I was getting a slight smell each time I started the car and this has cleared. As I said it's a horrible job but manageable with simple tools and some patience. It is also possible to do without disconnecting the battery or unplugging the CEM which prevents possible faults later.

[SonyVaio]

Excellent!

Nice little guide there.

[DCN85]

Brilliant. Been looking for a photo guide to this for ages.

[Welton]

Originally Posted by DCN85

Brilliant. Been looking for a photo guide to this for ages.

That is why I did it because I couldn't find one, well, I did find one and went off on a huge mission mistakenly following a LEFT HAND DRIVE guide and even got the cover plate off of the Heater Matrix! a FAR worse job than the pollen filter but all in vein.

I hate to say this but I can't help thinking some garages would skip this job if they could get away with it.

[kebab10]

Done that. Absolute pig of a job I found. What a ridiculous place to put it. I found one of those plugs in the CEM "tray" a little devil as it looked fine on shutting but then gave me no power at all. Right little b****r.

[blacklab]

This is a great thread! Thanks.

[alexstanleyv50]

Originally Posted by kebab10

Done that. Absolute pig of a job I found. What a ridiculous place to put it. I found one of those plugs in the CEM "tray" a little devil as it looked fine on shutting but then gave me no power at all. Right little b****r.

Same here! I ended up being upside down in the passenger seat at one point! what a pig of a job. And you're right, you've gotta make sure the wiring harnesses are properly connected - spent a while scratching my head when she wouldn't start!

[VenomS40]

Originally Posted by Welton

That is why I did it because I couldn't find one, well, I did find one and went off on a huge mission mistakenly following a LEFT HAND DRIVE guide and even got the cover plate off of the Heater Matrix! a FAR worse job than the pollen filter but all in vein.

I hate to say this but I can't help thinking some garages would skip this job if they could get away with it.

It dose look a mission just for a cabin filter....?

[volvozx6r]

After nearly 6 years of being a volvo tech i can do it in under 5mins.

[EricMe]

Originally Posted by Welton

Here's how I changed my Pollen Filter (multi filter):

.....
.....

It is also possible to do without disconnecting the battery or unplugging the CEM which prevents possible faults later.

Many thanks

I did this job today - possibly for the first time ever though it might have been done by the indy who did my 1 year service. Old filter wasn't quite as bad as I'd been expecting.

In spite of Welton's caveat in last para I disconnected battery then unplugged fusebox & removed it completely. Perhaps a bit soon to brag but I think everything is working again now that I've put it all back together.

One slight 'improvement' : when removing fusebox support bracket I used a 13mm box spanner as a standard socket just wasn't deep enough. No doubt a 'deep socket' would have been even better but I don't have one of them.

One problem with job was that I just couldn't fit both fusebox retaining screws. LH one was fine but RH one seemed to have a chewed up socket. I'm hoping that one will be sufficient.

Earlier in this thread, I mentioned that I thought my C-max pollen filter looked the right size. I can now confirm it's identical. Anyone wanting a new pollen filter might therefore find it in stock and cheaper at a Ford dealer rather than waiting for a Volvo dealer to order one.