Activated Charcoal cabin filter?

[larrys]

It seems that there are many places and manufactures of cabin filters out there. But, from what I've seen, none of them are activated charcoal filters. I know that Bosch makes them, but just not one that'll fit the Pilot or MDX (same filter).

You can see info on their activated charcoal filters here: http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/Fi...ction=charcoal

I called them today and the guy said that they don't do special orders of them. But, that it could be made someday. They are expanding their line and it's possible that it could be available in the future.

Does anyone know of another company that makes an activated charcoal filter for the Pilot? It seems that they would do a better job of filtering the outside air. Perhaps a campaign to write Honda asking for this may help (yea, right!).

Thanks!
Larry.

[A6Pilot]

The Bosch site does show a cabin air filter for the Pilot. The part # is P3890. I searched for a 2004 Pilot. If I'm reading the site correctly, the Bosch cabin air filter does have a layer of activated charcoal.

Could be a perfect solution!

EDIT: Removed bad link. Correct link is my next post, below. Sorry.

[larrys]

Originally posted by A6Pilot
The bosch site does show a cabin air filter for the Pilot. The part # is at this link. I searched for a 2004 Pilot. If I'm reading the site correctly, the Bosch cabin air filter does have a layer of activated charcoal.

Could be the perfect solution!

The link above doesn't work. Did you note the part number? The standard cabin filter from Bosch is P3890. This is not the activated charcoal filter.

I actually talked to some at Bosch this morning and they told me that they do not have an activated charcoal filter for the Pilot or MDX.

Thanks!
Larry.

[A6Pilot]

Try searching from this link.

EDIT:
Part # P3890? I assumed that part # referred to an activated charcoal filter, as the link showed up on the charcoal filter explanation page. Thanks for the clarification.

[larrys]

Originally posted by A6Pilot
Try searching from this link.

Part # P3890.

Yep. That's the standard, non-activated charcoal cabin filter.

I wonder if we could just buy a sheet of activated charcoal somewhere and apply it to the filter ourselves?

Thanks!
Larry.

[A6Pilot]

I was looking at the Racor site, and it sort of sounds like what you suggested. After I sent you on a wild goose chase earlier, I'm afraid to post this link. A pretty marginal site, actually.

Racor

[ED27]

The Fram cabin filter has worked well for me - part no. CF8813. It has the charcoal element as well. www.rockauto.com sells them for $24.79.

[larrys]

Originally posted by ED27
The Fram cabin filter has worked well for me - part no. CF8813. It has the charcoal element as well. www.rockauto.com sells them for $24.79.

Hi ED27,

Thanks for the tip! I checked on the Fram web site (http://www.fram.com/products/airFilters.php) and it even says:

"FRAM® Comfortaire® cabin air filters come complete with charcoal impregnated media to control odors."

But, does anyone know how well it'll filter the air? The stock Honda filter will remove almost 100% of the particles 8 microns or larger and 40% of the particles .03 microns or larger (if memory serves me correctly).

I just called Fram to ask for the specs on their filter. But, they didn't have the info! He said that he could try, but couldn't guarantee, to contact the engineering department to get them and would call me back.

I'll post a follow-up when/if they ever get back to me.

Thanks!
Larry.

[ED27]

Originally posted by larrys
But, does anyone know how well it'll filter the air? The stock Honda filter will remove almost 100% of the particles 8 microns or larger and 40% of the particles .03 microns or larger (if memory serves me correctly).

I don't know the exact specs but I can give you a real-world evaluation. I have very bad allergies - I'm pretty much allergic to everything and on top of that I have asthma! Pet dander, dust, mold, pollen (tree and grass) and the list goes on. In the 2 years that I've owned the Pilot, I haven't noticed any difference in my allergy condition vs when I had the stock filter in. As a result, I would assume that the Fram unit is filtering the air as effectively. The only difference I've noticed is in odor control. Car exhaust and other odors are better-controlled with the Fram. I drive past a waste treatment facility on occassion....with the Fram in place you can hardly notice any odor while driving past.

[larrys]

Originally posted by larrys


Hi ED27,

Thanks for the tip! I checked on the Fram web site (http://www.fram.com/products/airFilters.php) and it even says:

"FRAM® Comfortaire® cabin air filters come complete with charcoal impregnated media to control odors."

But, does anyone know how well it'll filter the air? The stock Honda filter will remove almost 100% of the particles 8 microns or larger and 40% of the particles .03 microns or larger (if memory serves me correctly).

I just called Fram to ask for the specs on their filter. But, they didn't have the info! He said that he could try, but couldn't guarantee, to contact the engineering department to get them and would call me back.

I'll post a follow-up when/if they ever get back to me.

Thanks!
Larry.

I was a bit surprised when I got a return call from Fram this morning! The guy called but said that he tried but was unable to get the filtering specs on the cabin air filter.

He mentioned that the marketing group really controls what's made and what info is available and suggested that I write to them. I'll write up a quick letter to them today and would suggest that others here do the same (if you're interested in this info). I'll also ask for them to start making this filter for the '06 Civic (my girlfriend drives one).

Fram
ATTN: Marketing department
39 Old Ridgebury Rd.
Danbury, CT 06810-5109

It seems to me that if Fram wants to market themselves as being as good or better than others, publishing the specs on their products would prove it!

But, even though I couldn't get the hard specs, the comments from ED27 convinced me to order a couple from http://www.rockauto.com/! Boy are they fast... and cheap! I looked around and it seems that most places are charging in the $35 range. So, just under $25 from them is cheap (even after shipping). I ordered it on Wed and by that evening they had a FedEx tracking number for me! Granted, it'll take a week to get to me in CA from NY, but, that's OK.

Later,
Larry.

[larrys]

Originally posted by larrys

But, even though I couldn't get the hard specs, the comments from ED27 convinced me to order a couple from http://www.rockauto.com/! Boy are they fast... and cheap! I looked around and it seems that most places are charging in the $35 range. So, just under $25 from them is cheap (even after shipping). I ordered it on Wed and by that evening they had a FedEx tracking number for me! Granted, it'll take a week to get to me in CA from NY, but, that's OK.

Well, I haven't heard anything back from Fram yet in regards to the specs. But, I did install the new Fram cabin filter. Too soon to really have an opinion on it. But, here's a picture of my old one with just over 4,300 miles on it next to the original. The OEM is on the left and the Fram is on the right (DUH! ). Just a glance shows that it doesn't have as much surface area as the OEM. But, time will tell.

Later,
Larry.