My sonata has 12,000 miles on it and I've noticed a musky smell coming from the A/C vents (I thought it was my feet.) After doing some research I've come to the conclusion that the cabin air filter needs to be changed. I've never had this happen before and I've had cars up to 150,000 miles. I read these should be changed every 15,000 miles. Has anyone else had this issue? But other than that one thing, I love the car...it's a lot better than the Honda I use to have.

Yep, it's common. Chances are the cars you had in the past probably didn't have "Air Conditioner Filters" unless they were somewhat newer. Here's a link to a DIY that's taken right out of the manual. BE CAREFUL when grasping the clips on the filter assembly, they're sorta easy to break.

Get ready to see all sorts of crap on it too ! Everything from leaves to bugs to who knows what else.

Great, thanks for the advice and the link. I plan on changing it tomorrow and it's good to know about the clips!

You're welcome dude. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

If you haven't looked yet check this out - it's a compilation of all kinds of stuff. Everything from TSBs to DIYs to warranty info.

It should be the same as the earlier models which you can purchase in an auto parts store...

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?sh...hl=cabin+filter

If you don't want to visit the stealer ship that is....

Purolator Part Number: C35661

Anyone try the charcoal ones vs the paper?

Here's a place to try....

http://www.diypartscatalog.com/ShopByVehic...ter&mode=PA

...or from a friend at edmund (we're in this together BTW)

"I had the same idea before I saw your post.
Last week they wanted $55 to replace the cabin filter. I said no. After reading in the manual how to access the filter (pg:6-22)... I removed it and thoroughly vacuumed between criss; and in less than 30mn (removing and cleaning it)... except for the discoloration on the intake side...it looks as good as new.
(the replacement the Dealer carries is $22+Tx and doesn't appear to be as sturdy as the original filter which came with the car!... The 3M filters look pretty strong!)
Then while I was at Lowes it occurred to me to look at the A/C filters they carry... I found one (3M- Filtrete) size 20x30x1 which will make 6 Sonata filters.
The size for the 2006 Sonata is: 9" 7/8 x 8" 5/8 : Cost $3.30 per filter if none is wasted.

When I got home I googled the forum to see if there are other ideas... and I found your post #297.
Reading you post will save me about $4 because Lowes sells them for $20. I will check out HD to see if they are still $16.

I went to HD this afternoon, and found an even better set up/deal: They have an A/C line of air filters called TrueBlue where I found size10"x24"x1" which makes 2 Filters... The size 10" fits perfectly in the Sonata air filter holder... all one has to do is to cut to size the other side to make a perfect fit! Just one cut and that's it... and the cost is even sweeter:$1.50 with tax which comes to $0.75 per filter! "
and I quote. I did this on the last change. As long as I don't see leaves blowing thru my vents I'm OK.

MODS I had to try and fix edmunch....posted as Edmunch twice. WTH? and I quote myself...."we're in this together".

EDIT: YOU did it again. Time to grow up folks. CarSpace is how I FOUND your arses.

FYI: You can delete my posts but don't you ever change my words again. Or I will take the MOTD route.

This post has been edited by craigbrooks: Feb 23 2009, 10:42 PM

back to the top (still pee'd off)

This post has been edited by craigbrooks: Feb 23 2009, 10:52 PM

I made some filters as described. Then I tried a different brand of furnace filter and the car began making a low-pitched Woooooo-ooooooooo-woooooooo-oooooooooo rumbling sound. I didn't have time to make another filter so I replaced it ($20, IIRC) with a Hyundai filter and blessed quiet. I'm not saying the Hyundai filter is the only one to use; just an FYI.

Changing the cabin filter after the musty odor is detected is like changing your socks because your feet smell--what's the point!! There is a reason for the odor and it is not the result of a dirty cabin filter. I had this issue with a previous car and I located a spray-type deodorizer on the Internet that is spayed into the intake vents with the AC on and the Cabin filter removed. Normally what will cause the musty odor is mildew, as a result of keeping the HVAC setting on recirculation instead of bringing in outside air.

Filter change recommendations are frequently baloney - but not this one..

I've changed out six of them as per the 12000 mile recommendation and they are always heavily discolored and usually full of leaves and crud.

What in the world are you talking about ? Nobody is changing your words - it's one of the word filters. Like when Honda gets changed to Honduh, cuss words get asterisked out, etc. I actually just logged on and counted and there are 92 word filters currently in play.

Last I heard Edmunds doesn't allow posts with links to a lot of other automotive forums on their site. I've actually got any referrals coming from them to my TSB info site blocked. Why ? Because I don't like them and their "holier than thou" attitude.

Point taken, but the dirt and crud you speak of will not create the musty odor! If in fact there is a true musty odor coming from the vents, it is generally the result of mildew in and around the evaporator. The musty odor I am speaking of closely resembles the smell of freshly washed clothes that are accidently left in the washing machine for several days!!

Funny though, the last filter I bought from Hyundai ( after making several of my own from Household A/C Filters) did not come with the small black 'charcoal filter' that was mounted on the bottom of my original factory filter. I wonder where I can get that or something similar to make for it?

Hmm, my original one didn't have a charcoal piece. You could probably get some of charcoal filters that go in the top of enclosed litter boxes and use them. Should work fine, and cheap ! I know Walmart carries them and they come in different shapes and sizes.

(IMG:http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3761136t400.jpg)

i didnt think thour AC filters had charcoal filters in them.. have never seen it in mine or any replacements I have bought...

They sell aftermarket ones on ebay (from Korea) that are made from activated charcoal.

meh, my car doesnt smell too bad.. dont really need one with activated charcoal.. my last car didnt even have a filter and i got along just fine...

I went the craigbrooks route and made my own filters (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

I hope someone can help me...I am having trouble finding a cabin filter that fits correctly as the one that came in the car originally. I bought a Purolator filter from Advance auto parts that didn't fit near as well as the original, it was smaller and didn't have the cardboard ends on it to prop it up. I next bought one from OReilly auto parts that was a bit better/bigger and looked identical to the original, but still wasn't the same size. The two I've had were looked up on the computer at the stores and I was given the filter per the computer. Are these aftermarket filters OK to use or should I track down an OEM filter from a Hyundai dealership?

BTW, my Sonata is a 2009 GLS 4-Cylinder for what it's worth.

Thanks to all in advance for your valuable info and help!