Weird looking engine air filter.....
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 938
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From: California
That mesh charcoal filter I removed is downstream of the engine air filter. The engine air filter itself is not shown in the pics I took, just the airbox, without air filter, showing the charcoal mesh filter used for intake vapor backflow mitigation (emissions for some states, but not mine). Yes, there maybe no gain in removing it, but I had read online (a dangerous thing indeed) of others that removed it with better throttle response etc. Well, about 80 miles into it I do feel an improve throttle response, but not huge due to traffic limitations. tranny Kickdown is much more responsive and consistent, and the real annoying tranny lag when cold is much improved. Mileage is essentially unchanged. I actually saw a gain of 1 mpg but I've been driving in heavy traffic (not quite stop & go, but going 45 instead of 65) so hard to say. If I was driving my normal leadfooted self, then I'd expect no gain in mileage.
I sure hope that made sense...I was rambling as usual
I sure hope that made sense...I was rambling as usual
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 81
From: Nukewastedump
No change in noise. I am pleased with the effect on shifting as noted in my previous post. Gas mileage really no change. All in all, worth it to me for 20 minutes work. When I pulled that filter, it was quite “dusty”...at 110+k miles, and repeated desert summers, the carbon was not really being retained and was like fine dust when I tapped it (fine black dust, not the dirt/desert type stuff).
Not all areas of the country may have it. I had a Hyundai Elantra a few years back that did not have that charcoal filter, but a friends elantra (same MY) had it from California. That same Elantra is the vehicle that you can really smell the vapors after a long drive in the hot summer . Since my rx350 went through the port of Los Angeles, I’m assuming it got specked out as a California car, or Toyota may just keep them all the same so there’s no production line change .
Not all areas of the country may have it. I had a Hyundai Elantra a few years back that did not have that charcoal filter, but a friends elantra (same MY) had it from California. That same Elantra is the vehicle that you can really smell the vapors after a long drive in the hot summer . Since my rx350 went through the port of Los Angeles, I’m assuming it got specked out as a California car, or Toyota may just keep them all the same so there’s no production line change .
Last edited by afpj; Apr 21, 2018 at 06:53 AM.
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kattanh3
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Apr 22, 2007 07:50 AM