Focus Pollen Filter

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Wealright - 02 Mar 2006 11:53 GMT

I replaced the pollen filter on my 2004 Focus 1.6 LX recently at 40,000
miles. I went to my local Ford dealer and asked for a new filter and
sealing strip - this turned out to be a length of self-adhesive foam
plastic.

When I removed the filter cover, I found the seal to be black sticky putty
or mastic and not anything like the foam strip supplied with the filter
which presumably now replaces the mastic but it doesn't seem to be suitable
as a watertight seal and the adhesive doesn't stick very well to the plastic
cover.

I was able to manipulate and re-mould the remains of the putty to re-form
the seal but I don't think it will be good for long and would have preferred
a bit more to ensure a good seal against the glass.

It should be possible to buy suitable sealing material to fit in a cartridge
gun but I can only find silicone sealants which sets and doesn't stay
sticky. Can anyone suggest a suitable commercial product obtainable from
builder's suppliers or DIY stores?

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Tim.. - 02 Mar 2006 12:43 GMT

> I replaced the pollen filter on my 2004 Focus 1.6 LX recently at 40,000
> miles. I went to my local Ford dealer and asked for a new filter and
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> sticky. Can anyone suggest a suitable commercial product obtainable from
> builder's suppliers or DIY stores?

A bead of Silicone is what I use, and it works very well. Peels off easily
for the next pollen filter change too. You will find replacement yearly or
18months will lead to less steamy windows problems .

Tim..

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Wealright - 02 Mar 2006 16:03 GMT

>> I replaced the pollen filter on my 2004 Focus 1.6 LX recently at 40,000
>> miles. I went to my local Ford dealer and asked for a new filter and
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Tim..

Thanks for that - I see that Screwfix have some black silicone so will get
some and give it a try - I was concerned about it gunging up the plastic and
glass and being difficult to remove.
I will also try Vic Dura's suggestion of using plumbers putty. I have a tub
of "Plumbers Mait" mastic left over from installing a bathroom - it is a
sort of sandy colour but I guess a spot of black paint will fix that.
It's a bit cold outside now and the plastic will be brittle so will wait
till it is warmer. On that subject, when removing the cover, I found the
centre fixing clip came away too easily - turns out some clumsy fitter had
snapped the plastic around the base of the clip and bodged it together with
some of the black sealing goo.
I made a repair by screwing in a small self tapping screw horizontally into
the thick part of the plastic housing, tying the clip to the screw with some
thin copper wire and sticking the whole thing together with solder and
quick-set epoxy - it still seems to be holding OK.
Any tips for removing the cover without risking snapping the plastic?
Wealright

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Vic Dura - 02 Mar 2006 13:07 GMT

>It should be possible to buy suitable sealing material to fit in a cartridge
>gun but I can only find silicone sealants which sets and doesn't stay
>sticky. Can anyone suggest a suitable commercial product obtainable from
>builder's suppliers or DIY stores?

In the U.S. we have something called "Plumbers Putty" that should
work. It's very inexpensive and non-hardening. It's the consistency of
soft modeling clay.

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Bob Minchin - 02 Mar 2006 21:41 GMT

Vic Dura wrote in message ...

>>It should be possible to buy suitable sealing material to fit in a cartridge
>>gun but I can only find silicone sealants which sets and doesn't stay
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>--
>To email me directly, remove CLUTTER.

UK equivalent is called plumbers mait.

Bob

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Chris Whelan - 02 Mar 2006 13:13 GMT

> I replaced the pollen filter on my 2004 Focus 1.6 LX recently at 40,000
> miles. I went to my local Ford dealer and asked for a new filter and
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> sticky. Can anyone suggest a suitable commercial product obtainable from
> builder's suppliers or DIY stores?

I tried to buy the "proper stuff" at my local dealer. The parts guy said
that it was only available to them on huge rolls. He then very kindly
nipped round to the workshop and grabbed me enough to last the life of the
vehicle!

I thought it might help if I described it. It is a 3mm dia bead of black
sealant carried on a waxed paper backing. I have looked in the past to see
if it is generally available, but with no luck.

Let us know if you find a source,

Chris

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per - 08 Mar 2006 22:26 GMT

> Can anyone suggest a suitable commercial product obtainable from
> builder's suppliers or DIY stores?

I believe the original is butyl rubber mastic. A glazier working with cars
should have it.
/per

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