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Dust into cabin - how?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by 134HP Bard Womyn Magnet, May 26, 2022.

  1. 134HP Bard Womyn Magnet

    134HP Bard Womyn Magnet Member

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    I was driving my 2014 Gen 3 the other day on a dirt-and-rock/gravel country road. They had just been working on the road and it was dusty as hell. We generated a huge plume in back of us, even while driving slowly. Then I realized there was particulate dirt/dust inside the cabin with the fan/AC off. Hard to tell, but it almost looked like it was coming up from the footwell on the passenger side. Not loads but you could see it in the sunlight very clearly, floating up from the floor area.

    It was an extraordinary situation for sure - when I got to my destination, the car looked as if it had been in Mad Max. Super fine dust was settled inside the doors (not past the gasket, but on the rocker panel area, inside the doors by the latches/hinges, et.) and even after I vacuumed it out, when you slammed the door a small cloud would come out!

    Anyway, any idea where it might have been coming in? I popped the hood and paradoxically, the whole engine compartment was dust-free. I have no leaks (water) in the car that I know of.
     
    #1 134HP Bard Womyn Magnet, May 26, 2022
  2. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    There is a cabin air filter located on the passenger side under the dash near the footwell. Perhaps that filter is missing? Or either it just doesn't do that great of a job.....
     
    #2 bettergolf, May 26, 2022
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  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I'd bet the cabin air filter is not there.
    Easy to change. The are about $10.00


     
    #3 ASRDogman, May 26, 2022
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the filter is not 100% sealed, even if it is there. it's just a slide in loose fit.

    and it is not a hepa filter, so dust sized particles will go right through it, depending on micron size.
     
    #4 bisco, May 27, 2022
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  5. 134HP Bard Womyn Magnet

    134HP Bard Womyn Magnet Member

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    Thanks everyone. Filter is there (I put it in when I got the car) but that must be it. The dust was weapons-grade shit, but have just gotten through.
     
    #5 134HP Bard Womyn Magnet, May 27, 2022
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  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Maybe the filter is not in correctly? Not seated right?
    If you are getting as much dust at you say, you might have a leak somewhere.
    They may not be "hepa" filters, but if you can see it, the will block it.

     
    #6 ASRDogman, May 27, 2022
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