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Flap/cover above cabin air filter: necessary? replaceable?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Schofer, Apr 21, 2015.

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  1. Schofer

    Schofer Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2015
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    2010 Prius
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    III
    OK, I worked on it today. I wasn't able to pop out the 3 snaps at the top edge of the vent to remove the entire flap&hinge. The snaps wouldn't budge, even with a fair bit of force, and I didn't want to press really hard and risk damaging the plastic housing.

    So, I just stuck some tape to the remnants of the original flap. I used 2 layers of thin tape back-to-back so that the sticky side of the tape wasn't exposed anywhere, and trimmed to fit. Now the flap covers the entire vent, and seems to function. Hope it lasts! If not, I'll have to try harder to pop the whole flap/hinge out and replace the flap with entirely new material.

    It is obviously not a hugely important thing, but I feel better having fixed it! Now outside air can't bypass the cabin filter and come straight into the cabin.

    Again, thanks to all for the help!
     
    #21 Schofer, Apr 25, 2015
    mrwhsprs, CR94 and Mendel Leisk like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    well done!(y)
     
    #22 bisco, Apr 25, 2015
  3. JasonTekNut

    JasonTekNut New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2020
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    Plug-in Advanced
    I had this same issue; a rodent got in through the filter box and ate this flap.

    In the event someone else finds this thread, if you're looking for a good material to replace the flimsy foam flap, I was able to fabricate a new durable rubber flap from an old bicycle inner tube. The thickness matches perfectly and the material is easy to cut with scissors to the correct size. A really easy and free way to fix this issue!
     
    #23 JasonTekNut, Oct 18, 2020
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    IV
    Now that's the kind of thinking I like to see. (y)
     
    #24 ChapmanF, Oct 18, 2020
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