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Car Louder After Air Filter Replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Blue Lightening, Oct 26, 2014.

  1. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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    I replaced the air filter a couple of weeks ago, and noticed immediately afterwards the car is much louder at high RPMs. It's not really noticeable unless you're using 50%-100% of the throttle, and the RPMs spike up. The best way to describe it is that it is both louder and lower pitched than usual. I've checked the airbox and everything is installed and latched correctly. Any ideas? I'm a little stumped...
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. What brand of engine air filter did you install?
    2. How dirty was the previous filter?
    3. Is it possible that the old filter had so much dirt on its surface, restricting airflow, that now that you have a new filter and the engine can breathe, you can now hear some engine intake noises?
     
  3. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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    1. I can't remember the brand, it was some generic filter I bought on eBay bought it was the right size, etc. for a '09 Prius.
    2. The filter was grey, but it didn't look filthy.
    3. That was my first thought, but it's a pretty significant change. Again, it's much more low pitched, a much deeper sound. It seems to be more than just the volume that's changed...
     
  4. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    You sure you put the air box back on correctly?
     
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  5. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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    Edit: I found the link to the filter but can't post it because I'm a new member. Below is the title of the listing on eBay:

    "AF5698 C35516 CA10159 CF9846 2004-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS ENGINE AND CABIN AIR FILTER"
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Is it installed the right way up? The rubber gasket is fitted properly?
     
  7. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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    Yes, I've checked this multiple times. It just closes and latches.
     
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Have you checked everything? Including the air pipe and whether it's come off further along or if some of the other pipes have come loose too.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Normally if the airflow is increased, then you'll hear a louder sound. So you just might have a filter that's thinner than the one replaced
     
  10. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I would buy a Toyota brand filter and see how it works. I only use Toyota filters.
     
    #10 Okinawa, Oct 26, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2014
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  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Make sure the airbox is tightly connected to the throttle body
     
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    AF5698 C35516 CA10159 CF9846 2004 2009 Toyota Prius Engine and Cabin Air Filter | eBay

    There is no manufacturer brand name provided on this listing, so who knows how good this filter is. It might use toilet paper or worse for the filtering element. Given your report of so much additional intake noise, it seems that the filter element is thinner than normal.

    For fun, remove the filter, replace the air cleaner housing with no filter inside, and see how the engine noise changes.

    I personally would not install such a filter in any of my vehicles.
     
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  13. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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    This is sort of my leading thought as well. I may look at ordering a different one and see if it's better. Anybody have a recommendation on where to buy a OEM one?
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota dealership parts department??
     
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  15. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    At the Parts Department at any Toyota Dealer.
     
  16. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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    I was hoping I could find them somewhere online..
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You can buy a fairly decent fram air filter for about $10 - $15 on amazon or local retailer
     
  18. Blue Lightening

    Blue Lightening New Member

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  19. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    There's your answer.
    It is a DIFFERENT filter construction than the OEM filters.
    If you still have the old one, put it back in to confirm the difference.
     
  20. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    I buy oil and air filters from Auto Nation Toyota. Here is an OEM air filter for $13.50 plus shipping.