dwiall

I purchased a K & N air filter for my 2007 AWD GS 350 and when I installed it I noticed a second thinner filter in the top of the filter box. Knowing more air in means more power out, I removed it. I told the wife about this and she threw the K & N filter instructions at me and said I should probably read them, go figure. Come to find out, this second filter is a carbon filter that has something to do with emissions. Do I need to epoxy this thing back in? Also, can someone tell me what this thing really does?

Thanks

BinaryJay

I think the second filter is just a coarse filter to catch any debris that happen to make it past the main filter in case it gets lodged loose or somebody forgets to install one altogether. Just a backup system.

I doubt it restricts the air much to make it worth removing.

92sc300nj

iTrader: (1)

id install it back. these motors are tempermental.

dwiall

It definately has carbon in it. I'll put it back, doesn't really restrict the air flow.

mmade22

Just think, a bug gets past your K&N and gets into your throttle body.....Game over! I would look into getting a new part from Lexus or the junk yard.

dwiall

WHAT!! Can't I just put the original back in?

I don't think any bug is gonna get stuck in my throttle body, it is always WOT.

I still want to know what this carbon is doing for my emissions.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

I don't know what it does but here is a scenario, if its there then its there for a reason.

mmade22

So you go and epoxy or glue it in right? Then the glue or epoxy doesn't harden right or something comes loose (worst case). Where do you think it will go? Right into your engine. You don't want a thing getting in there otherwise it will be an expensive fix. Do you know how much pressure is pulled from the TB? Start the car when the tube is open and feel the suction. I would rather be safe than sorry.

dwiall

That is a good point, but very extreme.

dwiall

I posted this question on another forum and the concensous is that it filters out VOC's from getting on the Mass Air Sensor or Air Density Sensor (which ever these cars have). This makes sense to me because a false reading would skew the air fuel ratio and result in bad emissionns coming out the tail pipe.

I'll weld it back in.

Dave

mmade22

Weld that Lexus!

dwiall

I called the service manager and he said it was to keep hydrocarbons from the engine going into the atmosphere, its a scrubber.

I would really like to see the math on this. The restriction it causes makes me burn more fuel because the engine is now not as efficient, more **** out the tailpipe. Also, the amount of hydrocarbons used in manufacturing this thing has got to be greater than those the device actually stops. It is good in theory, but is pretty typical of miss guided laws. New law says, all auto manufacturers must do three things to reduce the amount of pollution their cars produce, this was number 1.

I'm done complaining, for now.

Thanks

justlex

i changed my air filter yesterday too , saw it in there but didnt bother touching it , am sure lexus put it there for a reason ,

SamSpade

I just removed mine after changing the air filter....had no clue what it was until I read this post. I'll keep you posted as to the results