Air filter system and MPG

[azsaxguy]

This is going to be complicated I fear.

I was told by my dealer that the only thing affecting mpg that I could deal with was the air filter.

I opened the air filter box and took out the filter and had a small rats nest under it. I replaced the filter and withouth thinking ran a bunch of water down the air intake hose. When I saw how slowly it ran out the bottom I wondered if I had made a mistake. Is there something at the bottom of that hose that could be ruined by running water in it?

[Sheepdog]

the other end of the air intake was still connected to the engine? I hope not!

[lwnboy]

Don't run it, I would have it towed in and checked by the dealer if it were me.

[JimN]

Originally Posted by azsaxguy

This is going to be complicated I fear.

I was told by my dealer that the only thing affecting mpg that I could deal with was the air filter.

I opened the air filter box and took out the filter and had a small rats nest under it. I replaced the filter and withouth thinking ran a bunch of water down the air intake hose. When I saw how slowly it ran out the bottom I wondered if I had made a mistake. Is there something at the bottom of that hose that could be ruined by running water in it?

After you get the engine checked and the car back from the dealer increase the tire pressure until you aren't happy with the ride or the handling. Try setting the climate control higher & leave it on auto. Generally I'm comfortable with it at 79F. You may want to buy a Scangauge to get more info about the car.

[azsaxguy]

I'm fairly stupid but no, I didn't run water into the engine. I pulled the hose off of the air filter and ran water from the top down through the air intake near the right front wheel.

In case there was something down there that got wet and so that I wouldn't even get any heavy water vapor in the engine, I drove it for half a day with the air intake hose disconnected from the air cleaner box then reconnected the hose later and it runs just fine.

I mainly just wanted to know if there is a secondary air filter down there (near the front wheel, not at the engine) or just a difusion box of some sort.

Thanks for the help and concern.

azsaxguy

P.S Playing sax doesn't make you stupid it just seems that way.

[azsaxguy]

BTW - I just guessed about the "package" I have no idea what package I have. How do I find out?

Azsaxguy

[Bill Merchant]

I hope this is helpful. The air intake has a resonator, essentially a big plastic jug, in the right-front fender area. It helps the Atkinson Internal Combustion Engine perform more efficiently. I doubt running water through it will have any bad effect, it's not sealed tight.

As for which package you have, go to the Prius web site and "build" your car. By matching what you have on your car to the package options, you can determine what package you bought.

Originally Posted by azsaxguy

I was told by my dealer that the only thing affecting mpg that I could deal with was the air filter.

Actually, the best way to increase MPG is to adjust the nut behind the wheel. There are lots of thread in the Fuel Economy forum to help.

Welcome to PriusChat AZsaxguy!

[azsaxguy]

Thanks Bill,

I appreciate the advice about the nut behind the wheel. I do drive fairly conservatively but I live in the mountains and have to drive to Tucson two or three times a week. So, it's up and down and round and round and then back again.

BTW - does outside temperature and or humidity make any difference?

I'm going to go check out the forum.

Thanks again,

Saxguy

[richard schumacher]

You really need to get copies of both the Prius Owner's Manual and the Prius Scheduled Maintenance Guide. They will save you money and grief. Available online or from a dealer.

[Qlara]

How did the rat 'manage' to get under the filter area in the first place?
The plastic intake air hose is pretty 'slick/smooth' inside, this rat got skills......

The resonator box should have a drip hole in it.
But the hole is small so when you flush water down it'll not immediate clear the water quickly. Still, it'll take some time to dry itself out even the water is cleared eventually.