Brand: Frigidaire
Model Number: FMOS1746BSA
Main Symptom: grease range hood microwave filter cover keeps falling off on its own
What happens & when:
Hi all, I have a FMOS1746BSA microwave, and one of the two grease range hood filter covers keeps falling off on its own. I fit it very carefully every time it falls off, but it still keeps falling off. Either the range hood filter cover mesh part is undersized, or the retaining nub on the microwave is undersized. There is hardly any resistance when inserting the cover into the nub. Do you think this can be fixed by ordering another filter cover (they’re very expensive), or is there something else you can suggest? The 2nd filter cover stays in place just fine.
Since the other grease filter stays in place normally, I’d lean toward the problem being with the loose filter itself, rather than the microwave chassis.
For the Frigidaire FMOS1746BSA, the correct grease filter is part #5304517871.
Quick test before buying anything
Take the filter that stays in place and swap it to the side where the loose filter normally goes.
Good filter stays securely on either side: the original filter is undersized, bent, or its edge/tab has worn down. Replace 5304517871.
Good filter also falls out on that same side: the problem is with the retaining area in the bottom chassis, not the filter.
Loose filter falls out regardless of which side you install it on: that pretty much confirms the filter itself.
I’d definitely do this swap test before spending money. These filters are just retained by their edges/tabs, so it doesn’t take much dimensional difference for one to fit noticeably looser.
Also lay both filters on top of each other and compare them. Look for a slightly bowed frame, compressed edge, or one filter being even 1/16 inch shorter in the direction that engages the retaining nub.
I wouldn’t bend the microwave’s retaining nub unless you’re certain it’s metal and designed to tolerate adjustment; if it’s part of the chassis or a plastic feature, you could turn a minor problem into a much more expensive repair.
Based on one filter holding correctly and the other not, my first suspect is the grease filter #5304517871—but swapping the two filters will tell you for sure before ordering it.