F150 5.4L 2001 Is there an air filter for the heater core box
My air smells when I first put on the heater There are No anti-freeze leaks....

 

What does the air smell like? Burning, fish, or dirt?

 

warm dirt I guess

 

Ive heard of this problem before and as i understand there is a cabin filter under the dash on the passanger side which can be changed.

 

what year trucks did they start putting this cabin filter in?

 

not sure when they started cabin filters i think it was 98

 

not all models have them from what i hear

 

Actually, very few trucks have the cabin air filter, at least around here. Although they were designed to house the filter I don't think they were ever factory installed; maybe on the high end Expy's and 'Gators. The dealer install kits seem to have been discontinued, but the filters themselves are available.

If you have one, you should be able to see a screwed on long narrow cover plate under the dash at the passenger foot well.

 

Is the cover plate a black plastic unit with two metric bolts on it?

I will have to see if I have one today.

 

It's been a year since I've had mine off, but I think there are more than two screws. It's a fairly thin panel ~ 1" wide. I also have a larger "hush panel" (from a Navigator) that wedges into the front and is held on with (as I recall) two screws. The OE trim panel was smaller. That sounds like what you're describing.

 

I replaced my cabin air filter over the weekend. It's only been in since last Summer, but it was surprisingly dirty. The cover plate is held on with six screws.