broken "hinge slot" for tab on cabin air filter panel?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by eidling, Dec 19, 2014.

  1. eidling

    eidling Junior Member

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    Replaced the filter, but thought there was something I did incorrectly (and it turns out I did). When I went to put the panel back on the cabin air filter compartment, I noticed there was no longer a slot to insert the tab into. The snap on side (right) is fine. So, I assume I broke off that little bit of plastic. It surprises me because I didn't think I was particularly rough in removing the panel.

    The panel seems to hold on fairly well, nonetheless, but I thought I'd put a bit of duct tape on the tab/slot side just to be sure it's secure.

    any other comments/thoughts about this?
     
    #1 eidling, Dec 19, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this happened to someone else, might be some defective plastic. i think they used duck tape with a good outcome as well.
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  3. eidling

    eidling Junior Member

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    ended up using blue painter's tape, but could "upgrade" to duct tape. Does anyone think that would be necessary?
     
    #3 eidling, Dec 19, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nah, it's not going anywhere. the whole process of changing the cabin filter is wrought with failure and broken dreams.
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  5. eidling

    eidling Junior Member

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    so true bisco, too true!! :LOL: In the end I found it pretty straight forward, but I think Toyota should take another look at that part of the design......
     
    #5 eidling, Dec 19, 2014
  6. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    Sometimes I just wonder how effective the cabin filter is. Dust accumulates on my dash even when the cabin filter is new. I know it is effective at costing you money. I had several cars before cabin filters were invented. I can't tell any difference from the cars that did not have them than cars that do have them.
     
    #6 Okinawa, Dec 19, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm not sure where the dust comes from. it may seep around the edges. the filter gets plenty of gunk though, i guess that's better than nothing. i can remember turning my fan on in the old days and having all kine of carp shoot into my face.:p
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Agreed, more than one time have I had to stop and pull off to the side of the road to wipe out my eyes from foreign particles coming out of dirty a/c ducts. I agree the filter is expensive, but does help imo. I also agree that the clip on the cover is carrying things a little to far. Gen II filter system was much easier to change. That and the glove box on our Prius is very difficult to remove. It seems like it get's hung up on the lower left hand hinge.
     
    #8 dorunron, Dec 19, 2014
  9. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I think you are right about that. The dust probably does seep around the edges.
     
    #9 Okinawa, Dec 19, 2014
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's too bad they don't have a spring loaded clip on the glovebox door, it would be much easier. i can't figure out how to get that lower left hinge in properly. sometimes it takes one try, and sometimes it takes ten.
     
    #10 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  11. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Which I guess is where the fishy smell comes from...;)
     
    #11 RRxing, Dec 19, 2014
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    exactly, that's why i go with the charcoal filter.:p
     
    #12 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  13. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    Try putting the left hinge in first then the right.
     
    #13 Okinawa, Dec 19, 2014
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    will do, thanks!
     
    #14 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  15. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    LOL...seriously. My dog even looked at me funny.
     
    #15 Yakoma, Dec 19, 2014
  16. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Yesterday I removed the glove box to find that filter for my first time. Removed it, shook out the few leaf fragments, and put it everything back together. Very easy! It's also easy to see which way the air flows. However, the way the filter fits its space is surprisingly sloppy; some air likely bypasses it.
     
    #16 CR94, Dec 20, 2014
  17. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

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    That's why I don't think it needs to be replaced just because it gets discolored. I think it's more of a debris "trap" than a "filter". :)
     
    #17 DoubleDAZ, Dec 20, 2014
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well, the new ones are white, so...
     
    #18 bisco, Dec 20, 2014
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