Broken part behind air filter tray

[cam01speak]

I was trying to take out my air filter (2001 camry) and while doing that, the part behind it which has a bolt on the air filter box with plastic broke off. It looks like a distribution box (see pictures). what is this box? how much is it going to cost me? although, it doesn't affect anything (except that this box is being held by the various cords that connect to it and is kinda' dangling), should i change this?

i have changed many a times just by unclamping the top and trying to get the air filter out (with some bruises). is there an easier way?

[cam01speak]

the second paragraph should read
i have changed "air filters" many a times......

[marc780]

From your pictures it looks like it is one of the mounting points from the air filter box itself which is broken. I dont see any need to replace this box just because of that broken mounting point, i'd repair it. If you replace it, it's probably a dealer-only part. So i'd just repair it.
From your pictures it looks like you could j.b. weld it together, (the best glue to use, nothing else works as well). It wont be pretty but will solve the problem, which is how to mount it back the way it was so vibration doesnt loosen anything.

I'd use a small piece of metal for a reinforcement, maybe now's time to get a little creative. If you own a drill and hacksaw and vice, you could find a suitable piece of metal at home depot and easily fabricate something. Then clean the box with solvent so the jb weld will stick and piece it together. Price the box first, my idea might look pretty good after you see what its gonna cost you for a new one.
If you live near a pick-your-part type junkyard a replacement box would be a lot cheaper though.

[cam01speak]

thanks for the idea. i was thinking of using superglue (since it was just a plastic part). does jb weld work with plastic?

looks like to change the air filter easier, i have to remove this connection so the cover of air filter tray comes off easily. is that right?

[toyomoho]

Might try a junkyard. Also look at applying fiberglass cloth and resin to the area. The link below provides access to service manuals that provide info on taking the car apart.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[marc780]

thanks for the idea. i was thinking of using superglue (since it was just a plastic part). does jb weld work with plastic?

Super glue will not work. Neither will epoxy, J.b. weld is the only thing i'd try, it sets hard as steel. I think it should work with plastic but like i said, i'd reinforce it and jb weld the whole works.
I j.b. welded my gearshift knob onto the handle on my 4-speed 88 nissan pickup 15 years ago - it's still holding.

[ghettosled]

if you have an air compressor, buy a plastic welder. works perfectly for things like this and is only about $35 to buy one.

[cam01speak]

thks for all the replies. i am going to try to fix this part. i wil let you know once i do something with it. they call this piece "air cleaner inlet" and it costs about $50 in toyota store.