I have a 98 PA real low miler, I am trying to see if there is a way to see if it has a HEPA filter. My other half says her sinuses bother her, how do I tell if it has one and is it easy to change out.

Phil

Open the hood and look for the cowl panel. This is a black plastic piece that runs the width of the engine compartment and is located just below the windshield. It has screening molded into it, and and the wiper arm pivot points come through it. Look on the cowl panel for an access panel that can be opened by pushing on a couple of tabs. It will be 5" to 6" wide, and 3" to 4" deep. If that panel is there, you likely have a cabin filter. Open the access panel and see what is in there.

There is one thing I would like to point out about Buick cabin air filters in general, specifically my 2000 Regal LSE. Have you ever noticed the *musty* smell in older Buicks? When its warm and humid, and your car has been sitting for a while you may notice this most. This is because your Cabin air filter area lets in water and can fill up if its absolutely down pouring. At a minimum in these conditions your cabin air filter will be wet and will draw in moisture through your airvents inevitably fogging up your windshield if youdont blast it with A/C. A a maximum that water pools up so much that it actually starts pouring through your passenger side vents closest to cabin air filter.

My car is normally in a garage, I found this cabin air filter issue out because I left it outside in an overnight downpour. I left a pair of shoes on my front passenger seat floor area under the far right middle passenger vent, they were absolutely soaked from the watr leaking in the vent. This can somewhat be fixed by installing your own water shield (I used tin foil) so water does not liteally waterfall onto the filter. Humidity does not help with allegies/congestion!

Here is a youtube link showing you what i'm talking about

Checked it does not have one, thanks for your responses.

Phil

I dunno about the 98, but the 99 Park Ave has the filter under the dash on the driver'* side. A real pita to get to.

Thanks once this heat breaks I will poke around under there.

Phil

Rockauto lists a part for the cabin air filter, and describes the location as behind the glove box.

My cabin filter on my 97PA is also under dash accessible from drivers side.
Mine looked like something from the dirt zone and I cleaned the airbox there then applied EndbacII in there.
Much better with new filter. If using the AC for long summer periods, I am in the habit of switching to vent mode for 5 minutes before turning the car off. That helps in preventing musty smells in there.