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what's the air box for ?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by pbui, Aug 21, 2011.

  1. pbui

    pbui Member

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    My teenager crunched our 2004, among a number of damaged items is a white box behind the right fender, connecting to the air filter intake hose. It looks like a bee nest (there is a dead butterfly in there too). It must be some sort of air baffle, does any one know its purpose ? does the Prius need it to operate properly ? is it just for intake noise reduction like an exhaust muffler ?

    Tx
     
    #1 pbui, Aug 21, 2011
  2. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    In addition to noise reduction, IIRC, it also
    * helps remove water from intake air
    * it is part of a "tuned" length, designed for max efficiency.

    Rather than buying a new one you should consider getting a salvaged one.
    AutoBeYours is a Prius specific salvage yard/rebuilder. They enjoy an
    excellent reputation here for low cost, reliability, and quick service.
     
    #2 Rokeby, Aug 21, 2011
  3. tf4624

    tf4624 Active Member

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    Lol it's a wast of plastic and oil. I have removed mine
     
    #3 tf4624, Aug 21, 2011
  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    On a Prius?

    What does it sound like compared to a normal 4 cylinder engine with the airbox removed?
     
    #4 xs650, Aug 21, 2011
  5. pbui

    pbui Member

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    I am starting to think it acts like a capacitor in a circuit, to smooth out the in rush demand, thus lower effective impedance (EE 101 all over again). If my guess is correct, then it does help with the in-flow, ever so slightly.

    I did check with autobeyours, thanks for the suggestion.
     
    #5 pbui, Aug 22, 2011
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    This is what Rokeby meant when he referred to the the tuned length. It does indeed act like a capacitor.

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Aug 22, 2011
  7. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I thought it was just to store some spare air in case it runs out. :p
     
    #7 uart, Aug 22, 2011
  8. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Unfortunately for performance it also acts like a resistor.

    It's there to tune out noise and even the airflow over the rpm range, at some sacrifice of peak airflow.
     
    #8 xs650, Aug 22, 2011
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Which isn't an issue with the Prius, since the ICE is limited to well below peak power.

    Tom
     
    #9 qbee42, Aug 22, 2011
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