Removal of Pollen Filter

Rating: A bit taxing.  Frustrations factor: Skinned knuckles

I got these pics from a japanese website www.v-style.jp, bless them.  If you are not getting any joy out of your van vents then it's usually the pollen filter that's rammed full of gunk.

The pollen filter is located beneath the console and is quite hard to get at.

(1) Remove the air vent trim at both offside and nearside footwells and the console vent at the base of the centre console.  All these are cosmetic items and are held on by plastic fasteners which can be unscrewed by hand.  You might need a short flat-bladed screwdriver for the console vent.

(2) Using a 13 mm socket remove the bolts at the end of the bar marked with an x below (this is the bar that holds the clutch return spring in place.  If you are confused as to which bar it is, follow your clutch pedal to the spring and it's right there.

(3) Using a 13 mm socket remove the bolt holding the clutch return spring to the clutch pedal.  You might need to use a pair of mole grips or pliers to prevent the stud from rotating as you undo the nut.

(4) The bar should then be removed by tapping it up, with even blows either side of the bar with the ball of your hand or a plastic-headed mallet.  Note, the end of the bars are grooved and can only be moved in one direction up or down.  Remove the bar completely.

(5) Behind the bar there is a plastic cover on the pollen filter with a lug in the middle.  Slide this cover using the lug until it comes free from the filter.

(6) The filter is exposed beneath.  Pull this down and in order to remove it from the housing.

Note, the filter is split in the middle and can be bent during removal.

Refitting is the reverse of removal however the wiring always seems to interfere with the fitting of the filter.  I left mine out since I don't have hay fever.