Cabin Air Filter.. Dirt or Dust?
 

Hey.. My family has had some bad health issues recently, and tested extremely high for mold exposure. I tore my house apart and so far I havent found anything. I took the cabin air filter out of my 2015 F-150, and its black. I have never replaced a cabin air filter before, so I dont know what they look like. Does this look like dust, or mold? I have cleaned/changed my air filter and shop vac many times, and when I tap those against the ground, the dust falls out. This blackness doesnt fall out, and is essentially a discoloration of the filter. My truck has 40,000kms and sees a decent amount of west coast canadian logging roads.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...7101a4ce09.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...2c67eef335.jpg
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Buy a new filter.

Looks like a combination of both dust/dirt and mold. Should have been changed at least a year a go.

Don't clean it, replace it. I would get a good mold spray/cleaner/killer and wipe the area around where the filter sits the best you can and let it dry well and then wipe down again with a clean damp cloth. Make sure everything is dry before installing the new filter. Check the carpets back under the glove box and the surrounding area for dampness.

Then I'd check the carpets back behind the rear seats for dampness, possible mold. Leaks seem to be somewhat common and if the carpets have been wet you will want to have them replaced.

If health concerns are an issue with your family's health I'd be checking the truck out very carefully.

[QUOTE=jessekf;6021519]Hey.. My family has had some bad health issues recently, and tested extremely high for mold exposure. I tore my house apart and so far I havent found anything. I took the cabin air filter out of my 2015 F-150, and its black. I have never replaced a cabin air filter before, so I dont know what they look like. Does this look like dust, or mold? I have cleaned/changed my air filter and shop vac many times, and when I tap those against the ground, the dust falls out. This blackness doesnt fall out, and is essentially a discoloration of the filter. My truck has 40,000kms and sees a decent amount of west coast canadian logging roads.


You have 2015 in your post but your signature reads 2013. Which is it ? Do you have both ?

One thing we know is the moldy cabin filter came from the 2015 because 2013's don't have them.

I replaced the cabin filter in my 2017 with 18k miles and it was a little dusty.

Carbon activated cabin air filters are gray and black colored when new. They work the best and help neutralize odors . :)

this is true BUT ford does not use carbon filters..

OP replace that filter, it is supposed to be as white as a piece of paper when new

OP, replace that sucker! They are cheap and easy to swap out. I have mine changed yearly.
They don't charge labor to change the filter where I have my maintenance done...but you can certainly do it easily yourself.

As for your house, mold can hide in walls and under carpet. Also, some areas have lots of mold in the air. It can also come from the ground outside...good luck locating and eliminating the source.

CHANGE once a year!!