What is a Breather Filter??

[NYC_99Camry]

I saw a Filter for the Breather at the Pepboys the other day....its like a mini intake filter. what the hell is it? where does that go anyway?

[BlueFusion6851]

On your intake manifold there are holes that are connected to the stock intake tubing, and some aftermarket CAI's and SRI's don't have the nipples for the holes so the breather filters are used for that.

[TMetalMan]

Breather filters don't really do anything that's worth the ~$10 that they cost. My Weapon-R Dragon intake came with one, so I installed it. From what I have read, that line that would normally go from where the breather filter attaches to the intake is only used for recycling gases and stuff (it goes out from the engine through that line, and back into the engine through the intake). Along with these gases there can also be some oil. So by installing the breather filter you prevent the gases oil from re-entering into the engine, and it is instead expelled to the engine (and atmosphere). Sometimes there can be enough oil built up on the breather filter that it can actually start dripping, so some people have to use some sort of catch below the foam. In my Camry ('97 5sfe) I have yet to see or feel any oil on the breather filter, so I guess that's a good thing .

[Venom_5]

the 5SFE does not require a breather filter, and i think it actually works better if you dont install the ones that come with SRI/CAI setups

its usually something done on domestics (especially older ones) ...

[ghettosled]

you can see one here in the upper right attached to the valve cover.

[nunyadamnbiz]

Its just that a breather filter....it goes on a ram air intake...there is a little hole by the brake booster...thats where I put mine at least....that way there is not just an open hole...hope that helps

[vishayne]

I dont recommend using one on a camry because of the pcv vavle , the flow of the air moves in a cycle . the breather will just mix things up

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by Venom_5

the 5SFE does not require a breather filter, and i think it actually works better if you dont install the ones that come with SRI/CAI setups

its usually something done on domestics (especially older ones) ...

hmm.. my came with one that attached to the pipe itself like yours but i have the 1mz.. have a brether on there but if i was to stick a groment in there would that make a difference? i know im not gonna jump right up to 20000 HP gain but like a little deeper tone or what not.

[Venom_5]

the 1MZ shouldnt have a place for a breather filter unless im forgetting something ...

it does have a vacuum tube that should run from the valve cover to the air intake (a hole which i plugged because the 5SFE has no need for it)

[Black95Cam]

i do have that hooked up also and i have a smaller inlet and the instruction said to hook it up to a breather. i got some picture. cant really explain it that well.


yellow hose goes the the valve cover and the gray is hooked up to the breather filter


breather filter and the air filter..

[TMetalMan]

I don't see what special purpose the breather filter is for, if it's just connected to the intake pipe through a hose. It's not doing anything the air filter isn't already... If the breather filter were in the correct spot, it'd be connected to where the other end of the yellow hose is currently connected.

[Hajoca]

The breather for the crank case is essential to keep the PCV system working, as you are trying to suck the crank case vapours into the combustion chamber. If the crank case was completeley sealed, then where would new 'air" get in?

The stock air filter filters air before it goes into crank case.

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by TMetalMan

I don't see what special purpose the breather filter is for, if it's just connected to the intake pipe through a hose. It's not doing anything the air filter isn't already... If the breather filter were in the correct spot, it'd be connected to where the other end of the yellow hose is currently connected.

i know. it doesn't make sense to me but it came with the kit so i just installed.

[Venom_5]

weird - on mine, i have the grey hose where your yellow one is (which goes to my breather filter because i didnt have a plug) ... and i dont have any other nipples on the intake

[engineer]

In any internal combustion engine, gasses are generated in the crank case due to high heat and friction breaking down the hydrocarbon molecules (oil). In order to vent these gasses, manufactures install PCV valves which allow these gasses to vent from the crank case into the intake tract, thus allowing them to be burnt by the combustion process. This is the cleanest (read most environmentally friendly) way to deal with these gasses. The problem is, these gasses contaminate the air the ICE uses during the combustion process, theoretically resulting in an efficiency/power loss.

If you replace your PCV valve with a breather filter (or run one in conjunction with your PCV valve, which would be required on almost every new vehicle), all you are doing is allowing these crankcase gasses to vent to the atmosphere instead of burning them in the combustion chamber. This is not the most environmentally friendly thing to do, but if you are running a high performance motor and do not want to contaminate your incoming air, then using a breather filter is your best option. In reality, a stock (or bolt on only) car will not benefit from a breather filter.

EDIT: It looks to me like the intake manufacture has an extra bung on the intake tube. Maybe it's a "universal kit", but it sounds like they are providing a breather filter to "plug" this extra hole. If you were to leave it unplugged, there would be unfiltered air entering your intake (not good). You could simply plug this whole as well. I must say, I have never seen an extra filter on an intake tract, most of the time the breather filter is on the valve cover, either replacing the PCV valve, or on the adjacent valve cover on "V" engines.