How do you replace cabin filter on 2001 Buick Regal LS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLoXfUZ9SVo.....is very very good how to video on that
"Word of Warning" and I haven't seen this vid, and this is also the answer for people who suddenly discover water on their passenger side floor board carpet. WARNING, alright I did just go watch that video and that first of is not an LS and your cowling is going to cover from the mid windshield to the fender and you have to remove a trim pin to remove the cowling, it doesn't just pop out like that I didn't catch what car that is, looks like a le Sabre and it is going to take you a lot longer than that, but the generally location is correct put it's NOT that simple. So I am writing this after what I have written below so I am going to look through my stuff and find something to maybe post a picture for you about what I'm talking about. One think is removing that trim pin that holds the cowling in place, you have gently take a screw driver and though this pin looks rather big and is about dead center of the cowl, only the very center part as it looks like a nut and washer, put the screw driver under the center part and that is a plastic pin and gently pry it up if you ruff it up it will just look crappy when done. Let me look for some pictures and you can read the following stuff. After you remove the passenger side windshield wiper area cowling, when you go to reinstall, do yourself a big favor and get a tube of silicon calking and after looking at the cowling and inspecting what should be a seal between the cowl and windshield, take the silicon and make a bead on the cowling all the way around where the cowl will touch the windshield and DON'T go crazy are it will look like crap and especially over towards were the cowl meets the fender and where cowl touches cowl. This is the number one cause of the wet carpet leaks and the question about water on the pass. side carpet always comes up after the person has changed the cabin filter, I guess GM fouled up on this and then again so few people even know their is such a filter that by the time they do discover it I think the seal has sealed it's self really well to the windshield and then when you go to remove it, it gets wrecked, I'm not really sure but I am about the rest as I have fixed at least a dozen and own three Regal GS's myself and GP's I'm going to go look for some pics, so check back.
Alright I am back and I myself had a few things wrong about that cowl pin, oh well here is a video that is right, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptADvMadKRU And what I have actually been trying to warn you about with the sealant is shown fairly well on this video. When watching notice all the crap after he removes the cowling, you need to clean all this up and then take like a razor knife blade and clean up the windshield where the seal has left or stuck an impression. Believe me Marty doing the job right is what it is all about, and you will be glad to NOT find water during the next trip to the car wash or next big rain storm on your passenger side carpet and not to mention that for the water to get there it has to run all over your dash board wiring, that's always fun to figure out. I'm not trying to scare you with what someone would think should be a simple matter, but it's just not that simple due to the re-sealing of that cowl.
llregal, I believe you. I am not disputing how difficult is to do, seein' as how I have never done it, but I have a Regal, a 2004 GS, and have been considering changing that filter because to the best of my knowledge it has never been done, in the 9 years my Dad had it and now its mine. I don't even really need the car, but am having difficulty parting with it, even though I could sure use the cash, but the sentiment is betting the better of me. Now you have scared me out of attempting it..gee, thanks (all in good nature, OK?) The video I found is wrong eh? I sure don't want to create a leak, and maybe you could give me some advice, this car goes through batteries like water through a sieve, for some reason they just fail after less than a year, one after the other, I took it to the Firestone store for Dad 3X, it's OK for now, they always pro rate them and I only pay about $35, for an Interstate, but nothing else seems to be wrong????
Hey Dave, my name is Gary and ILregal is my online name at RegalGS.org a great forum for our cars. And don't get rid of it, build it, enjoy it and yes there's the sentimental side like you said bro. you said you really don't need it so make it a hobby car and start by fixing and replacing that stupid filter, you have to start somewhere. I only warned you because I care about these cars and the people who are trying to do this kinds of projects, and what I am warning you about is straight from experience, I screwed up my first filter install and no one knew what the problem was to include the buick dealer, and tried to talk me into replacing the heater, and just about everything that had to do with water. I live in WA and it rains a lot, well I figured out the problem myself and never have had a problem since. It is a flaw in their design and there is nothing to do about it except what I have told you. Now keep I mind though that you CAN look at that this video again, hey hold on a minute, I just found a video that is kind of explaining what I am talking about, even though I don't completely agree as he is talking half ass repair and I am a guy who does things like over kill, but look at this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ImQmqXHJI and let me see here about removing the cowl as I have a couple thousand vids on stuff like this so hold on one minute, ok here you go and this video is an Chevy Impala and I have two of them also and being the are all on the same platform meaning wide body, this is exactly or very close to what you will have to do so watch this for a good idea, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptADvMadKRU These cars are monsters with the M90 Eaton Supercharger, which by the way you need to check the oil in the supercharger, very important and always overlooked. Ask me how later, LOL Did you look at the video I found and posted? That is a pretty good video as my first comments on how to do the filter change wasn't exactly right and DON'T be scared it needs to be done, that's for sure as this is also the cause of the damp musgy smell these cars get if not changed, just do like I was suggesting about the silicone and take your time clean the windshield up real good and just re-seal this. My email is ghbaum@hotmail.com so I am a retired guy and I will always be available to help you. These are great cars and worth keeping, bye the way how many miles as you have me wondering about that battery issue, sounds weird to me, are there any aftermarket parts that draw power? Like hid lights ?? I have only replaced my battery once since 1998 and have other batteries for when I take it to the track, but you may have a power pack problem. 2004 was the last year they made the Regal GS Wide body, now they have came out with the new Buick Regal GS 2013 and it's different but nice, however your year is the last of the run. Don't sell and if you do, I am always interested in picking up another Regal, LOL I love them.
Bye the way, it's not difficult and I guess I am just to detailed and if you ever browsed through my cars you will see that I am kind of an over kill type guy. You can remove the cowl, replace the damn filter and just clean up all the stuff that has gotten down under the cowl, and please just clean the windshield, replace the cowl and see what happens, if you eventually get some water on the passenger side floor then KNOW you will no what going on and how to fix it. I am NOT trying to say that this problem is absolutely going to happen just because you changed the cabin air filter and I am sincerely sorry for scaring you, it never crossed my mind that was what I was doing and I am sorry. So, just do it, and you will do fine. Gary the stupid scare people idiot, sorry !!
Illregal. You're awesome lol. I love how passionate you are about this stuff
Just bought my second 2000 Buick Regal LS. This one has a little over 48,000 on it and I couldn't be happier. I will be checking back to this site periodically hoping for some activity LOL
