Technical AC pre-filter

[crispyy]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a recent project on my Panda and get your thoughts.

A smelly AC led me to disinfect the system and change the cabin filter a bit ahead of schedule (only 6 months in). While I expected some dark dust, I was surprised by the amount of physical debris—leaves, bugs, and fluff—that made it all the way into the housing, despite the car being mostly garaged.

To protect the AC ducts and evaporator from future debris, I looked at the main air intake under the scuttle panel and 3D printed a custom pre-filter.

So far, it hasn't restricted the cabin airflow. The mesh is coarse enough that it shouldn't clog up instantly or block circulation. I know I’ll need to clean this pre-filter periodically, I think it will be much easier and safer than trying to vacuum inside the tight cabin filter housing (and risking damage to the evaporator).

What do you guys think? (Please ignore the bad print quality)

 

[PuntoHowTo]

What do you guys think?

I think that’s pretty damn good

Nice job! You could (if you wanted to) share the files as other people might want to do the same

 

[crispyy]

Nice job! You could (if you wanted to) share the files as other people might want to do the same

Thanks! I will upload it to Printables at some point. I just need some time to come up with instructions, because I printed onto mosquito net which makes it more challenging to print

 

[Mike1alike]

I think that’s pretty damn good

Me too! That is very welcomed there!

 

[crispyy]

You could (if you wanted to) share the files as other people might want to do the same

Here's the printables link:

Fiat Panda 319 HVAC Air Intake Pre-filter by Cris | Download free STL model | Printables.com

I tried to find the part number, and tried to check if it might fit older 319 Pandas, but I fear that older models have a different intake grill.

If anyone in the forum wants to print it and needs advice please let me know. I added disclaimers to the printables page tho because I'm not sure yet how this pre-filter will perform. I think it might need periodical cleaning to prevent clogging/straining the hvac blowers.