Air Filter Housing - What is This?

[Equatis]

Good Morning,

I'm a recent Toyota guy. About six months ago I saw a nice looking white 2008 Camry LE sitting in a lot that caught my eye, so I took her home.

I've done searches for second air filter, air filter mesh, etc, but haven't found anything on this forum or just haven't been lucky enough to run into the thread I was looking for.

I've been doing maintenance here and there for things I didn't want to trust a previous owner/dealer with like fluids. When I first replaced the air filter I noticed there was a second air filter inside my air filter box. My last two cars didn't have anything like this.

I'm assuming it's some sort of large debris filter or something, and would like a definitive answer from anyone in the community that's willing. I'm referring to the screen in the picture that is above the actual air filter which are both in the same box.

Thanks for responding in advance.

[09SE]

The screen is a noise screen, it reduces the air intake noise. I took mine out by punching it out

[Equatis]

Thanks for the prompt response.

Do you feel/Did you notice any improvement on gas mileage after removing it? If not, I'll leave it in. I like things stock/quiet but this screen makes me think of one more obstacle that's robbing the engine of air.

[09SE]

Originally Posted by Equatis

Thanks for the prompt response.

Do you feel/Did you notice any improvement on gas mileage after removing it? If not, I'll leave it in. I like things stock/quiet but this screen makes me think of one more obstacle that's robbing the engine of air.

I took mine out after I removed the lower intake resonator. So with both removed, it doesn't sound all that different at idle and cruising but at wide open you can hear a slight difference; slightly louder and deeper tone. Throttle response seems to have improved slightly, though it may be a placebo type effect. As far as gas mileage, I haven't done a before and after test so I'm not sure.

[Glenn8963]

well given that the original air filter is all paper, i'd leave that in there...reason why....??

mice......they like to get into the air filter boxes of ANY car or truck, and make a nest. now i do not know what that screen is made of, but if it is a metal screen, that will keep the mice from climbing up and into the air intake and plugging up your intake.....


do as you wish, mice, chipmunks, rats, squirrels are ALL OVER the place, and they simply LOVE a warm, cozy air filter box......

[DOHCammer]

It's a hydocarbon trap. It absorbs vapors left in the intake tract after you shut down the engine. It works in the same manner as the charcoal cannister works for the gas tank. It's a definite air obstruction and I felt a difference on my V6 after I took it out. It is heat staked into the cover and the "welds" are easily broken by prying between the filter and cover at the welds. Mine came out in one piece and I could epoxy it back in if I wanted to. This mod along with the bypassed air flap and the drop in TRD air filter has opened up my stock air intake system to it's max.