My last car (Volvo) had a cabin filter system where the pleated cabin-air filter included a carbon/activated charcoal element. It seemed to work great removing the occasional odor from the road, oil drips, etc.

So I was a little dissappointed that the G35's cabin filter was only plain paper. Hence the fix described and illustrated below.

There is plenty of room beneath the G35's cabin filter to add another filter element. The location beneath is also the down-flow side, which is ideal for an odor filter (perform mechanical filtration first, then what gets through is subject to activated charcoal).

I cut the pattern required out of an activated charcoal filter mesh used in home air purifiers (Holmes, etc.). You can buy similar mesh at the home center, where it is often sold for recirculating range vent-hoods.

Here is a measured GIF image of the pattern. If printed correctly, it should be to full-scale: Charcoal Filter Pattern

Also, here are some pics of the installation:
Imagestation pics - G35 Charcoal Filter

<font color=blue>'04 G35S 5AT, Black Obsidian/Willow, Prem/Nav/Sat</font color=blue><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by ramborami on 02/21/04 09:57 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

GREAT IDEA! Let us know how it works with removing those smells.... by the way... how long do you think that charcoal filter will last? Would be great if it lasts 15,000 miles so that you can swap it along with the paper filter.
Thanks!

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake

 

[Repost from FA for benefit of others]

Thanks for the tip. I've been wanting to do this ever since I found out it was an option on the Maxima.

I like to drive with fresh air entering the cabin. But it's a pain when travelling behind trucks and smelling their exhaust. So this should mod should help.

I have some questions:

1. Did you consider using charcoal film? It is thinner material but now thinking about it, it may not be as effective.

2. Did you consider glueing the charocal element to the filter? Pros/Cons?

3. Notice any difference since adding the charcoal element?

4. What is the width of the 4 cutouts in the diagram of your charcoal element?

Thanks for answering in advance.

 

[...and answers reposted from FA also...]

1. I used a material I had around the house (the Holmes filter sheets). There is plenty of clearance, so thickness is not too important. 1/4 inch or so is fine. I'm not even familiar with charcoal "film". Remember the effectiveness of an activated filter is related to the micro-surface area of all the charcoal, so a thicker reticulated foam is probably more effective.

2. I don't think glue would be ideal since the edges of the pleated filter don't provide much surface area to adhere to. And glue has to dry. And it might block airflow. Using pins seemed to be entirely sufficient and quick.

3. I haven't had the thing in long enough to know how much good it's doing!!

4. The cutouts you refer to are for avoiding the small plastic ribs in the filter compartment. These ribs are vary narrow (maybe 3/32"), but I cut out the material at about 1/4" wide, which allows for some tolerance in inserting and positioning.


<font color=blue>'04 G35S 5AT, Black Obsidian/Willow, Prem/Nav/Sat</font color=blue>

 

Mods, can we get this thread into the DIY section?

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

... how long do you think that charcoal filter will last?

<hr></blockquote>
I don't know! It will certainly depend on how much it gets loaded with hydrocarbon fumes, etc. It's definitely a PIA to get to the filter housing, but at least these charcoal filters aren't that expensive. Here's a link to the Holmes filter sheet ($11 for two filters): Holmes Charcoal/Odor Filter

<font color=blue>'04 G35S 5AT, Black Obsidian/Willow, Prem/Nav/Sat</font color=blue>

 

so sorry to bring up an ancient thread but none of the links work!

does anyone have a tutorial on changing the in cabin air filer?


much appreciated.

 

there is a youtube video posted on a DIY thread that is very easy to follow. Search "DIY in-cabin filter change" I think you can order a charcoal filter directly from the dealer for 20$ more