| tom34diy |
| I just noticed that the 2003 MDX with 108,000 miles that I just bought does not appear to have ever had the pollen filter replaced, even thought dealer records show replacement at 30k, 60k, 90k service. I looked behind the glove box and the plastic bar has never been cut. I do not want to do anything further with it in case they want me to go by the local dealer to verify my claim. Before I complain and seek a refund of $120 plus for the "parts," I need to know if I am correct that it is impossible to replace that filter without cutting the plastic bar in front of the metal bar covering the door to the filter box. Is this true as far as you all know? Thanks a lot. Tom |
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| Sinecure |
| If its possible, I'd ask them to show you how. Sounds to me like an example of a dealer doing his best to earn the title "stealer". |
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| BaldEagle |
You have been had. Sounds like fraud.
For this to happen once could be said that the tech is negligent. Twice it could be said to be an unusual coincidence. Three times and it is policy. A policy to deceive for unearned profit.
Bet your filter is real dirty.
Didn't you say in another thread that you just bought this 2003 used? Did the dealer supply you with the service records? If so then they are fraudulent. |
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| nightguy |
I thought somebody accomplished this but so far I can't find the post.
EDIT: Why would YOU seek a refund from the dealer ? It's not your money lost, so why would it be your money gained ? Now if you want a replacement of the filter (assuming it's somewhat proveable that it's never been replaced), I can understand that. |
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| BaldEagle |
Tom, did you look closely at both sides of the plastic? It's possible to cut the left side and swing the bar out of the way to put the filter in leaving the right side uncut. If that is what they did could be that it looks like it's not cut but actually only one side (left) was cut.
IMO cutting only one side of the plastic and swinging it out of the way to replace the filter is not the way to go. A rattle waiting to happen. Why not just remove it? |
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| Warzau |
| I did my air filter myself and quite frankly I cannot see how you could remove the filter with out cutting the plastic which holds the metal bracket. Imagine looking at a cross with the filter being the verticle section and the bracket the horizontal. |
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| mdxx3 |
| I agree with everybody that there is no way to remove the cabin air filter without cutting the plastic. Even the service manual says to cut it. That piece is probably there so that it can hold or keep the entire dash in the correct shape while assembling/manufacturing the MDX at the factory. After the entire dash gets bolted down to the vehicle, this plastic piece can be negligible (not useful anymore). Hmm... maybe we can take the entire dash out to get to this cabin air filter without cutting this plastic thing... but this certainly would not be worth the trouble. I cut mine about 3 Saturdays ago (@17k miles). Having seen this dirty/nasty filter, I now plan to change it more often... like every 10k miles or less. Actually should do this often... it's just like the HVAC filter at home... gotta change it regularly. |
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| tom34diy |
| Problem solved. Sorry to get you guys worked up. I remembered later in the day that the prior delaer had very recently replaced the dash, so I called the dealer and he said that plastic piece is part of the dash that they replaced. He seemed very relieved and said he had been concerned all day that this could have happened. He had already agreed to have the local dealer replace the filter at his cost and to refund the money for the other two filters, so he was really trying to do right. When I get the X back from getting its new timing belt, I will, however, cut the new plastic and confirm that the filter is new. I guess I jumped the gun, but I just did not think about it having a new dash. And BTW, the refund for the filters would have been provided by me to the prior owner. Tom |
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| pianoman41 |
| I guess the bigger concern here would be, why did it need a new dash? |
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| tom34diy |
| Yeah... I was wondering whether that new dash thing would go unnoticed. This forum has some observant members. What had happened was that the dealer replaced the dash for free about two weeks ago after their mechanic damaged the dash while replacing a broken vent. Tom |
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