changing 97 honda prelude AC filter

hi

i just got a 97 prelude, the previous owner was a heavy smoker so i still
got some cigarette smell i would like to remove. up to now, it seems that
the air con is still having some of those smell... anyone know how to take
out the air con filter? would be great if someone can tell me step by step,
and include some pics would be even better... or some link, i tried to look
around the internet for days and i still can't find it, maybe some of u have
better luck... thanks...

cheers
edvan

 

On my 2003 Civic, you pull the glove compartment box out. After that,
it's fairly obvious.

 

They don't have an A/C filter

 

how come there isn't any AC filter???

cheers

 

i open up the glovebox, but i don't see any filter, could u help by tellin
me more... thanks...

cheers

 

You will find AC air cabin filters in newer cars. Honda started
putting this in the 98 Accord and above not sure what year it started
on the Civic.

 

There is an in-cabin air filter for the Prelude (they're in the 2001
models, so I would assume they are probably in the 97+ models too).
I've not changed mine yet or seen it, but the filter is located behind
the glove box. There is apparently some cutting involved after you
remove the glove box before you can access and see the actual filter
to change it. I would think that after the glove box is out, you
should be able to see where the filter is located. If you have access
to the Helm's manual, you might be able to get some details in there.

 

AFAICT it was introduced in the 2K model year.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

how much would the Helm's manual cost??

cheers

 

Look at www.helminc.com - you can order it there. Usually the Honda manuals
are $65 - $70.

 

thanks...

 

For U.S. imports, my 99 Prelude Service manual (97-99 model year, 1st
edition, Oct 98) has a section on the A/C filer. But it's only labeled for
the '99 model. I'm not sure if the NZ imports would have had one either in
97.

If you look under the bottom edge of the glove box, there is both a metal
and plastic horizontal bar between the glove box and the A/C evaporator
housing. If you can see a 1.5 inch wide vertical plastic cover on the
evaporator housing (which also curves slightly under the housing), thats the
cover that pops off to replace the filters. Of course the glove box and
those bars must be removed to gain clearance. Also, the first time they are
replaced (one stacked on top of the other), that plastic bar (really part of
the bottom of the dash) has to be cut and discarded. Not to worry, that
piece of the dash is likely used only during dash manufacturing - the metal
bar, which is screwed in, supports everything once its assembled.

It's all in the U.S. Helms Service manual so you should be able to find a
comparable manual.