I wanted to mark the pollen filter on my Focus before it had its first annual service. My Haynes manual said the filter cover was secured at the front with three clips and the back with three screws.
I released the clips but could only find one screw, the other two positions appear only to be mouldings in the plastic cover. I lifted and pulled but could not release the hidden fixings. I pushed the cover back in position as best I could and hoped I would be informed of any damage during the service.
After collecting the car I found the filter had not been changed. I returned to the Ford Dealer and watched the fitter release the front clips and lift the cover sufficiently to remove the old filter and slide in the new one.
I wish to remove the cover and ensure the cover is correctly sealed to prevent any water entering the interior.
Can anyone explain how to release the hidden fixings?
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I've no personal experience of this, so I've copied the following from the Ford Technical Information System CDROM. It seems to differ in detail from what you described, and I don't think it is 100% consistent in its own description. But it might help.
Ian
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Focus
Section 412.01
Pollen Filter (343500)
Removal
1. The pollen filter is situated on the passenger side. Position the wipers in vertical position. The gasket will be destroyed when the air cowl grille is removed. Detach the passenger side half of the air cowl grille.
1.1 Unclip two clips {Ian's note - one at left end of air cowl grille and one about quarter way in from the left}
1.2 Remove the cap and unscrew and remove the bolt {Ian's note - just left of centre of the air cowl grille}
2. Remove the pollen filter.
2.1 Open the service flap and remove the pollen filter.
Installation
1. Note the direction of flow of the pollen filter. Install the pollen filter.
2. A grille with rubber edging is inserted between the wiper motor and the filter housing. This must be cleaned of dirt every time the filter is changed.
3. Ensure that the air cowl grille gasket for the windscreen is seated correctly. A new gasket for the air cowl grille must be installed. For additional information, refer to «Section 501-02». Install the air cowl grille.
Section 501.02
Cowl Panel Grille (432300)
Removal
All vehicles
1. Remove the windshield wipers. {Ian's note - it means both wiper arms}
Vehicles built up to 1/1999
2. Remove the cowl panel grille.
2.1 Remove the screw covers.
2.2 Remove the screws.
Vehicles built 2/1999 onwards
3. Remove the cowl panel grille.
3.1 Remove the screw cover. {Ian's note - one screw slightly to left of centre, hidden by a screw cover}
3.2 Remove screw.
3.3 Release the clips. {Ian's note - possibly 6 clips, but not 100% clear}
Installation
Vehicles built up to 1/1999
1. Install the cowl panel grille.
1.1 Install the screws.
1.2 Install the screw covers.
Vehicles built 2/1999 onwards
2. Install a butyl strip (L = 750 mm) on to the cowl panel grille.
3. Install the cowl panel grille.
3.1 Locate the clips.
3.2 Install the screw.
3.3 Install the screw cover.
All vehicles
4. Install the windshield wipers.
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Thank you for your help Ian.
Armed with the information, your comments, a torch and a large screwdriver I tackled the problem. I left the Haynes Manual indoors!
I could see a fixing on the right hand rear was similar to that used for securing car interior panels but I had damaged the underside of the cover. I levered the fixing apart with the screwdriver.
The centre fixing could not be seen but had separated during my first attempt and had not re-seated.
As the Ford Information states the butyl seal is destroyed when the cover is removed as it bonds to the base of the windscreen and the underside of the cover.
I managed to repair the damaged right hand fixing by moulding the plastic with my electric soldering iron.
I assembled the two complete plastic fixings in the filter cover, shaped the butyl seal on the windscreen, applied an additional line of non-setting mastic along the edge of the cover,lined up the two fixings over the square holes in the body shell, pressed down and the fixings clicked into position.
I am surprised at the crude method of removing the filter cover considering the operation is supposed to be carried out annually. I can see why the Ford Fitter chose not to disturb the rear fixings and just lift the front edge of the cover.
I have yet to test if the cover is watertight.
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I had a problem with my 99 T Focus where the pollen filter cover leaked in certain circumstances (a common fault I understand) and read that the cover should be sealed with butyl tape as described here.
However I visited several 'discount autoparts' type of shops and no-one seemed to have (or even know of) butyl tape.
Where's the best place to get this tape, I assume its not a Ford dealer (I'm in the North East) or is there a similar replacement that will work as well?
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Butyl tape is (among other things) used for pond lining, so you could try garden centres. A search on google.co.uk for \"butyl tape\" will bring up several websites that sell butyl tape ( such as www.koilogic.co.uk/go/item/567 ).
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Thanks for that, I'll have a look before the downpour season starts!
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