Obviously, by proof of the photos, the filter is doing it's job. If these items are sucked in (without a filter), would that make the compressor/climate system work harder? I know changing an air filter monthly can save you considerably with maintenace on your home HVAC. The same?

 

 

I wouldn't recommend removing it and not replacing it...I am not sure of placement in airflow (before or after evaporator) but if it is before the evaporator, as I think it is, the contaminants trapped by the filter would instead be clogging your evaporator over time and you would have more troubles than just musty smell or mold. My $0.02

 

Not sure about any other state, but in Hawaii there's a lot of cases of cars (not just Honda) that require service to replace their evap cores.

My Toyota Cressida had its core changed out 3 times in 1 year until I decided it costed way too much money and used the last core until it broke. Honda's earlier cars (like my friend's 3rd gen Prelude, Accord) also experienced more shop time for AC related problems due to core failures.

Even since Honda decided to put these filters on the newer vehicles, not only did it help keep the cabin air cleaner and the vents cleaner (both which I believe are side benefits)... it significantly reduced the amount of services in regards to the evap core (primary benefit). 24 bucks or 30 bucks, to me it's easier and cheaper to replace those than the evap core and paying the labor.

I disagree with the statement regarding how this is another $$$ scheme. It's very functional, the cost is minimal (since you don't have to do it often), easy to do, and helps protect other parts that will cost you big $$$. The money making scheme, if any, is in regards to the 3000 mile oil changes. That IMHO is totally unnecessary for most street driving people in average climates.

 

I can see some benefit to the downstream components, so you have convinced me. But I would change it a lot, every year at least, just as you do a home air filter - those bacteria-laden filters are passing air to you in a confined space in the S2000. Not good.

 

 

I changed mine recently too, after 30k. Now the heater feels MUCH warmer than before.

 

No. Just mitigated. This has become a question of lesser of two evils - and now i seem to care more about my evap/core than my own immuneui system. Crazy.

 

 

Wow! LOTS of good info here

Thanks Raul et al!