I have allergy problems, can a cabin air filter be installed into my car?
On 3rd generation Proteg's you can import the necessary OEM parts to enable
the use of a cabin filter. 2nd generation Proteg's also had this option in Europe
but the evaporator unit design and supplier is completely different from the US
version's. Therefore the whole evaporator unit will have to be imported. Due to
the technology being reserved for luxury cars in the early 1990's, 1st generation
Proteg's will need a custom or aftermarket solution. Mazda3's already have the
placeholder for a filter, so getting it done means a mere purchase of the filter and
installing it. 3rd generation Proteg's and Mazda3's have the aldehyde filter
option overseas. This filter not only filters pollen but many common air pollutants.
On cars that had this feature offered overseas, here are the parts needed:
2nd generations:
BC5E-61-520C evaporator unit (use BC5D-61-J6X replacement filters)
3rd generations:
with A/C:
GE6T-61-J02 evaporator case (lower half)
GA5R-61-J04 evaporator case duct seal
GE4T-61-J05 evaporator case duct seal
GE4T-61-J29 evaporator insulator (requires glue/adhesive)
TC86-61-J31 filter access cover
J001-50-171 filter access cover bracket
9979-40-612B bolt
GD7A-61-J23 screw (need 2)
CB12-61-J6X aldehyde filter (must be imported)
4 or more suitable sized finisher washers to be used with the screws
As an alternative you can get the normal pollen filter which can be readily
ordered in the US: GE6T-61-J6X
1999 models and certain 2000 models have a completely different evaporator
unit design than later models. If your VIN's car # falls below 257502, then you
need to replace the entire evaporator unit with the newer one. The part number
is BJ1V-61-520. It includes a normal pollen filter installed. For those living in
warmer climates, you can opt to pay extra for a higher efficiency evaporator
unit. It also includes a normal pollen filter installed. The part number is
BJ5K-61-520E. When servicing the evaporator unit of the warm weather type
in the future, do note that the expansion valve is slightly different. The correct
part number to order during expansion valve replacement is GE9E-61-J14A.
You may upgrade the filter to the aldehyde type during the evaporator unit
installation or during filter replacement/maintenance.
without A/C:
GE7B-61-150E air duct box (must be imported)
For replacement filters, they must be imported:
GE7B-61-J6XA conventional pollen filter
CB11-61-J6X aldehyde filter
Mazda3:
BP4K-61-J6X conventional pollen filter
BP8P-61-J6X conventional pollen filter (warm weather type)
All of the listed parts should be installed by a qualified technician! Servicing the
A/C system without proper knowledge is dangerous and illegal with or without
proper certification! Venting refrigerant (of any type) to the atmosphere is
ILLEGAL. Installation of these parts require extensive parts removal.
