Intestinalworm

Well-Known Member
Got a blast of dust and pollen that started me sneezing and left me looking like a red-eyed monster in no time! Time to replace that very expensive strip (it crumbles and bits break off) of foam that serves as an air filter - the strip just below the windscreen. It looks like exactly the same (very low density) foam that is used in two exhaust fans in the house. Is there anything else available out there: (much) cheaper, cut-to-size in sheets, more effective (without causing suction problems for the blower), more durable foam/material?
 
Aquarium shops in the UK sell filter foam in different density’s in sheets enough to do three discos.The colour indicates the density, green, blue and black which was the density very similar to the factory stuff.
I now replace it when it’s dirty, not because it was falling apart which this foam doesn’t.
 
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Ah? I have a fish tank! You're right, the Eheim filter (expensive German aquarium filter) I have has a square of foam. I'll have to check around and see if some sell it loose in larger sheets. I'm sure somewhere there must be places where they throw similar stuff in the bin as unwanted packaging waste?
 
I know one thing - I don't think I'll buy it from an LR dealer - I'm sure it will be available at an eye-watering price!
 
I know one thing - I don't think I'll buy it from an LR dealer - I'm sure it will be available at an eye-watering price!
Same here, even from the independent parts supplier.

this foam is similar to what I use, other than cutting into strips I had to lightly trim the tips off the pointy bits, it still does the job.
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What about the foam filter material that goes in extractor fans over kitchen hobs, that should be pretty free flowing yet catch the crud, also it comes in easy-to-cut-up sheets?
 
In my experience of car an external air intake into the interior, it was a first for me to have this method that my D1 and the later D2s, before then there was nothing in my vehicle’s
Modern cars driven, owned and now own have a replaceable ‘dedicated pollen filter’ installed, which takes just a minute to replace, although they costs a bit more than any DIY extractor fan filter material. :(
And surprisingly genuine pollen filters do work. :)
 
Only really notice the dust when fan hasn't been on for a little while - with fan on high it can blow a bit of accumulated dust through (must build up in blower piping) - has given me itchy/red eyes a few times.

On a sour note - hot day here yesterday (Victoria, Australia) and discovered aircon is "dead" on a 730km round-trip! Looking very much like compressor clutch has finally "carked it".:( Original compressor (Denso) I believe from 2003 - so lasted 16 years. Bit of research and saving now on the cards! If I change compressor might be wise to do receiver/dryer at the same time? System fully charged with gas (not a leaker!) - don't suppose a compressor can be changed over without fully de-gassing?
 
Like others I have been using pond filter foam for a while. No,point using the more expensive activated charcoal type as that is designed to remove impurities from liquid water and brings no additional benefit as an air filter. I use the black coarse grade foam as I am just trying to keep the crap out of the system. There are much finer foams available, but I doubt any will take out pollen.
Well worth buying more of those little clips as well.
 
Like others I have been using pond filter foam for a while. No,point using the more expensive activated charcoal type as that is designed to remove impurities from liquid water and brings no additional benefit as an air filter. I use the black coarse grade foam as I am just trying to keep the crap out of the system. There are much finer foams available, but I doubt any will take out pollen.
Well worth buying more of those little clips as well.

Yeah, AC adsorbs gaseous impurities or various molecules in water including chlorine. I know that you can re-activate AC granules by heating them (oven).
AC pollen filters are good because they can remove odours from inside the cabin when the HVAC system is on recirc. I guess if you were driving around in a highly polluted city like New Delhi then the AC would be saturated in no time with a range of chemical nasties!!!

Anyway, the foam you suggest is likely the BEST option (non-AC) - will need to have a look around and/or on-line though as the aquarium I use (I keep fish) only sells packaged foam in squares (in boxes and branded). I wish I knew where this stuff was made in bulk - likely dirt cheap (pardon the pun), but once on-sold it gets packaged-up, (premium) branded and sold at +10x the price!:(
 
Just on cabin air filters, have never seen them in a vehicle (sure they will be on some high-end cars), but electrostatic filters should remove pollen. Set-up would likely involve a coarse pre-filter for large particulates, then an ionising bank to charge particles, followed by collector plates (opposite charge) and then a final filter which would also likely have AC sprayed onto it - capture odour compounds and gases. Good to keep it simple though (wouldn't want a malfunctioning cabin filter to send vehicle into "limp home mode"!) - never needed filters when we had clean air!:)
 
You could always try a finer mesh. It may take out some pollen. As you will have to use shorter strips than the LR product, don't forget to buy additional clips.
 

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