[NMuzj100]

Originally Posted by spressomon

Either there is bypass/poor seal or the filter only grabs the big chunks .

The Two-part Drop-into-a-dark-hole design is obviously not well thought out but allowed Toyota to claim they had cabin-air filtration just like the other luxury manufacturers. My guess is the filters themselves are reasonably effective for sand and dust but that the system seals are the weak point.

[dnp]

Originally Posted by NMuzj100

The Two-part Drop-into-a-dark-hole design is obviously not well thought out but allowed Toyota to claim they had cabin-air filtration just like the other luxury manufacturers. My guess is the filters themselves are reasonably effective for sand and dust but that the system seals are the weak point.

Yeah, I think this is a good assessment. They're better than having no filters at all, but they're certainly not HEPA-quality. The photo of mine shows they turned dark from catching "something," but when I removed the old ones, I could still see some debris on the evaporator core.......

I will say, however, that my climate system seems to smell better (no surprise after seeing the ones that came out of it, huh?)

[EdsCruisin]

Originally Posted by dnp

Wow, that's a LOT less than what I paid at the dealership. I looked all over the web, but couldn't find a source for these (and it says these are Denso OEM filters too)......thanks for the heads up. The direct link is: http://www2.maximumautoparts.com/par...=null&dp=false

Wow indeed! I ordered these on January 1 and received them January 3 for a grand total price of less than $13! New, in the Denso box.

[Jim_Chow]

Originally Posted by EdsCruisin

Wow indeed! I ordered these on January 1 and received them January 3 for a grand total price of less than $13! New, in the Denso box.

Are those the exact same made in Japan denso filters at densoproducts.com (2 for $26 in one box)?

[EdsCruisin]

Yep, P/N 453-1001.

[BMWSTOY]

Not sure how you (Edscruisin) were able to order for less than $13 - 2 with shipping is just under $20 - but for that price I will give it a shot. Filtering large parts is better than nothing and that is what mine had in there - nothing. I also think I will try some foam on the bottoms and tops or some thick insulating tape to better seal it. Now that I have some, I can use the better quality filters at Home Depot to replace them.
I appreciate the link - thanks.

[TMILL]

looks like there's 2 per pkg

[BMWSTOY]

The way I read it, it was REQ: 2. Meaning required 2 - however if I am wrong, it will be ok, because 4 for less than $20 sound like a great deal.

[EdsCruisin]

There were 2 in the box, neatly sealed in a plastic bag. Total price was $12.22.

[BMWSTOY]

Wow - fast shipping - mine arrived today. Confirmed, 2 in a box as EdsCruisin states - now I have an extra set.

Don't forget those safety goggles when installing: listed on the required tools

Thanks again for the website and the post - they are bound to be better than what was in my 2000 - notin!

[e9999]

well, evidently, with 130 posts and over 6000 views of this thread, this must be somehow a real important issue or one that resonates strongly with our 100 series owners, eh...?

[justimaginejack]

Has anybody figured out why some have them and others don't. I wondered if maybe those that don't had had some A/C repair replacement done? I am in the market for and O3/04 and I would like to know. I think i will bring a phillips head to my test drives.

[justimaginejack]

Another Question, we have the air filter, and the place to put it, no one has mentioned anything about reduced airflow??; does the LC have the smog sensor, and if so how does it work in the Pre-2003 models that do not have auto sense with Recirculation.

[Jim_Chow]

I think the 98-00 LC's have the filter door, some '01's have it. After that, I'm guessing the LC's don't have it. Maybe someone w/ a 03/04 LC could check.

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by justimaginejack

Another Question, we have the air filter, and the place to put it, no one has mentioned anything about reduced airflow??; does the LC have the smog sensor, and if so how does it work in the Pre-2003 models that do not have auto sense with Recirculation.

I noticed, when I first put the filters in my '99, slightly less air flow volume...not too big a bother unless you live in a very hot climate where you'll need to run the fan on a higher speed setting. The benefit outweighs the down-side for most.

[justimaginejack]

ok I bought some from maximumautoparts.com they delivered the ES/LS filters for my family and cancelled my order for the the LX/LC Said they were out of stock and needed me to call back in two weeks. I did and they just arrived yesterday. I ordered four for that price I thought why not, plus it got me free shipping. I received a large box, with four individually wrapped filters. They all look the same and do not say Denso, they say NPN and they are made in japan. I am going to try to install them since they look like the ones posted here. I will post some pic's

[SWUtah]

Originally Posted by NMuzj100

The Two-part Drop-into-a-dark-hole design is obviously not well thought out but allowed Toyota to claim they had cabin-air filtration just like the other luxury manufacturers. My guess is the filters themselves are reasonably effective for sand and dust but that the system seals are the weak point.

I bet they would be better if you change them at 4X's the recommended interval, since most filters do a better job of filtering the dirtier they get.

[cruiserheadrat]

If you have problems getting them to fit in the older LC's, where they have not been installed before check the bottom of the filter slot, mine was full of pine needles and dead bugs sucked in through the cowel vents. I was having trouble getting the first one down far enough to slide the second in on top. There was some serious dirt in there.

[justimaginejack]

They was a suprising amount of stuff to vaccum out, but none the less the new filters looked the same as the ones on here and similar to the ones in my ES. I really don't think ths type of filter is terrible effective. If it had a charcoal filter infront of it maybe. But the more effective the filter, the more pressure/suction needed. I think that is why there are several fans around the Charcoal activated carbon filter in the LS that goes behind the Glove Compartment horizontially. It worked. Not really happy with the fact that other guys got both denso filters for 13. and change and I paid that per filter but still beats the 50-70 some paid.



rockclmbr,
Please let me know how the HEPA traps dust and other matter. I have them in my home ane it makes me sick everytime I change them. To think that stuff floats sround in us as we breathe. We are like the ultimate filter. That stuff isn't coming out. I think I would much rather take this route next time. I have activated charcoal covers on the hepa filters in my bedroom and they trap 80-90 percent of the dead stuff floating in the air.

[rockclmbr]

justimaginejack,

Sorry for the tardy response...

The issue with cutting them to fit is they may not seal perfectly around the edges. When you are driving a vehicle in a dust storm, it is almost impossible to 100% seal the interior of the vehicle, some dust will find its way in. That being said, I chose to take the more cost effective route and make my own for the said HVAC hepa filters. I pulled them out after a trip to Death Valley and they were coated in fine silt/dirt. I think they worked great for the amount of effort I put into it.

my $.02

[JDMGoodness]

Just checked my 98 LX and pulled my 2 filters out. They were quite dirty.

I decided to just blow them out with compressed air. Put on safety glasses and opened up the blowgun. A few minutes later I could see light through them again. The filter is quite durable.

Once I felt they were clean or should I say cleaner I put them back in.

I noticed the high speed had more volume of air blowing through. I may order new ones. But for now they are cleaner and I have better airflow.

Who knew I had them until I read the FAQ??

[SWUtah]

Originally Posted by JDMGoodness

Just checked my 98 LX and pulled my 2 filters out. They were quite dirty.

I decided to just blow them out with compressed air. Put on safety glasses and opened up the blowgun. A few minutes later I could see light through them again. The filter is quite durable.

Once I felt they were clean or should I say cleaner I put them back in.

I noticed the high speed had more volume of air blowing through. I may order new ones. But for now they are cleaner and I have better airflow.

Who knew I had them until I read the FAQ??

Just wondering how many miles you had on your LX since you last changed the cabin filters??? Do you drive on many dusty roads?

[JDMGoodness]

My LX had 201,000km on it when I purchased it in October 2008. It now has 216,000km. I can't say when they were changed out last.

They were quite dark with dirt. After the compressed air treatment you can see light through them. I tried to put a hole through the media. It seems quite durable.

The volume of air on high speed setting is more. There was a difference.

[odessit]

I got 04 LC and it does not seem to have cabin air filter. Is this correct or is it me not seeing the obvious. I can post pictures if this is of interest to the group

[Hicaira]

I finally got around to pulling off the glove box on my 98 (build date was May, 1998) and the filter holders are there, no filters ever installed. It was not all that dirty in there though. Making my own won't bother me since it can't let anymore dust by than I have had for the last 11 years with no filters. Still, I'll see what the dealer wants - as soon as I convince him that the car actually accepts them.

[DWSD]

Originally Posted by EdsCruisin

There were 2 in the box, neatly sealed in a plastic bag. Total price was $12.22.

These came to me from maximumautoparts.com but individually wrapped. They are no longer so cheap. Two was about $30. I thought based on others' experiences that I'd be left with a pair for the future.

My 1999 accepts them, though the seal, as others reported, is likely ineffective.

Doug

[Apothecaryjohn]

My 2002 LC DOES NOT have above mentioned cabin filter, it has the clip spots but no hole for filter.

[SWUtah]

Originally Posted by Apothecaryjohn

My 2002 LC DOES NOT have above mentioned cabin filter, it has the clip spots but no hole for filter.

Just make sure you don't breath while you are in your LX.