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Engine air filter OEM vs replacement

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by roymm, Aug 19, 2022.

  1. Aug 19, 2022 at 3:30 PM
    #1
    roymm

    roymm [OP] New Member

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    When replacing my engine air filter I noticed significant difference between the factory-installed filter (right in photo) and the replacement sold by the Toyota dealer. The replacement is half the thickness and has no pre-foam (or whatever you call it). Not sure what’s going on here. Couldn’t really get a straight answer from the dealer. I’ll be watching my performance and mileage, but I’m willing to bet it all comes down to $$$.
    918CA4B5-47A9-4EDA-9E1E-26F413C06CDD.jpg
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.
  2. Aug 19, 2022 at 3:48 PM
    #2
    afret

    afret 2022 ORP, KDSS, Toyo AT3

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  3. Aug 19, 2022 at 7:16 PM
    #3
    JohnD

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    I just bought two new filters from a dealer in Colorado Springs and they are the thicker one with the foam layer. The dealer used the number from my OEM filter and the new ones are exactly the same. I had recently picked up an STP brand replacement from the auto parts and that one had fewer pleats and no foam. I couldn't tolerate the downgrade on something that important.
     
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  4. Aug 19, 2022 at 9:43 PM
    #4
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    I bought a replacement from the dealership a couple of years ago. It was as thick as the original but without the scotch bright pad. Different number. The one that comes original is a Japanese.
    If they just transitioned to the thinner design I would be reluctant to buy.
     
  5. Aug 21, 2022 at 7:08 AM
    #5
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    the air filter is the wrong filter small DENSO ... the toyota air filter is a double the air flow ..
     
  6. Aug 21, 2022 at 9:18 AM
    #6
    Altitude4x4

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  7. Aug 21, 2022 at 9:25 AM
    #7
    hvac guy

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  8. Aug 21, 2022 at 9:36 AM
    #8
    Altitude4x4

    Altitude4x4 New Member

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  9. Aug 21, 2022 at 9:47 AM
    #9
    jasonmcelroy

    jasonmcelroy Recovering perfectionist

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    I have had so much frustration with counterfeit stuff on Amazon that I now just buy all auto consumables at the local parts store.

    Wix or Napa Gold (which I think may be Wix for some line anyway) every time.

    Jason
     
  10. Aug 21, 2022 at 12:25 PM
    #10
    2Toys

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    You are right, it seems that Amazon is becoming the new Fry's electronics - selling returned items as new, and or refurbished items as new. I am very careful with what I get on Amazon. That Prime membership just might be going 'bye bye'.
     
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  11. Aug 21, 2022 at 12:52 PM
    #11
    hvac guy

    hvac guy New Member

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    I tried ordering from a couple of different dealers online about a month ago, both sent me emails back saying they weren't in stock and do you want the replacement yzz13 filter instead. So maybe they do have them back in stock now.
     
  12. Aug 21, 2022 at 4:32 PM
    #12
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    Purolator One A36122. It looks almost exactly like the OEM one, same larger size, with the foam pre-filter.
     
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  13. Aug 21, 2022 at 6:59 PM
    #13
    LuLu

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  14. Aug 22, 2022 at 8:17 PM
    #14
    Toyotafvr

    Toyotafvr New Member

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    I just ordered the 17801- 38051 from Larry Miller Toyota parts. I really hope that they do not stop production on these !!
     
  15. Aug 22, 2022 at 10:03 PM
    #15
    McSpazatron

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    Yeah, the dealer told me the thinner ones is all they had available the last time I got one. Thanks for the purolator part number. I think I’ll be going with aftermarket airfilters from now on.
     
  16. Aug 23, 2022 at 6:34 AM
    #16
    LuLu

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    Just out of curiosity beside cost saving exercise by Toyota.

    Is there any technical reasoning to increase engine air flow to boost 4R performance/Slow pickup - by making Toyota Air filter thinner

    Has anyone tried both to see any significant changes in engine sound and accelerations etc.

    17801-38051 Versus 17801-yzz13

    Based on past
    experiences with very thick aftermarket air filters on different model vehicles - There were adverse affects with restricted engine air flows. Acceleration became poor.


    Cheers
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2022
  17. Aug 23, 2022 at 8:25 AM
    #17
    Toyotafvr

    Toyotafvr New Member

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    I am running the thinner one now but have the thicker one coming . I will post results after changing to the thicker one.
     
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  18. Aug 23, 2022 at 9:08 AM
    #18
    McSpazatron

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    I would not assume that the new thinner filter would flow faster. They might, but that would mean it filters substantially less.

    All things equal, im pretty sure it’s the opposite. Given the same filtering media, more/deeper pleats makes airflow less restricted, not more restricted.

    The only reason high performance filters like a K&N flow with low resistance, is because the filtering media itself doesnt really filter anywhere near as much. You can see daylight through some of those.

    The best way to increase airflow (or reduce resistance) while maintaining high filtering capability, is to increase the amount of pleats and increase their depth in order to create as much surface area as possible.

    For whatit’s worth, when I changed from the factory original to the new thinner OEM replacement element, I did not notice a difference in sound or performance.
     
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  19. Aug 23, 2022 at 9:09 AM
    #19
    Trail Runnah

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    Interesting. I ordered a supposedly OEM Toyota a year or two ago from Amazon, and the one that arrived looked like the one on the right. I know for a fact it definitely had that extra foam element attached to it.
     
  20. Aug 23, 2022 at 9:29 AM
    #20
    Steely123

    Steely123 What's the new trend? I'll do it!

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    i just started buying K&N filters for air box and cabin air. Just for pure convenience of reusable and cleanable.
     
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  21. Aug 23, 2022 at 9:45 AM
    #21
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    I'm not certain, but I believe one purpose for the thin layer of foam is to catch bugs and other particles, keeping those from embedding into the pleats. It's not able to filter much better than that.
     
  22. Aug 25, 2022 at 11:41 PM
    #22
    McSpazatron

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    Besides the purolator filter, NAPA sells the thick one with prefilter.

    I bought one today since I recently did a ton of driving in heavy dust.

    The pleats per inch are less in the new one, but it’s twice as thick, so ultimately it has more filtering capacity.

    92945A8C-FFCB-47E1-86B9-63B830B15114.jpg

    AC35EE2C-AC5F-4989-B5B5-597913B5188F.jpg

    4139F24D-FF93-42B1-A1E4-0FD3C25431C0.jpg


    91BE93EB-AF8B-44AA-B3E1-9C8BD4206A09.jpg
     
  23. Aug 26, 2022 at 2:17 AM
    #23
    Matt83

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    Bought a WIX 49350 at O'Reilly yesterday, thickness is the same as the pre-revision filter and includes the foam pre cleaner element.
     
  24. Aug 26, 2022 at 3:14 AM
    #24
    Fishbum

    Fishbum New Member

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    Do they make a k&n to fit the factory air box?
     
  25. Aug 26, 2022 at 4:01 AM
    #25
    Steely123

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  26. Aug 26, 2022 at 7:48 AM
    #26
    LuLu

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  27. Aug 26, 2022 at 7:51 AM
    #27
    hvac guy

    hvac guy New Member

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    My 22 ORP came from the factory with 17801-38501
     
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  28. Aug 26, 2022 at 7:57 AM
    #28
    LuLu

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    Thanks for the swift reply @ hvac guy
    Wonder why the Toyota is now superseding with the thinner versions (especially for those off-roading in dust regions) - 17801-yzz13
     
  29. Aug 26, 2022 at 8:43 AM
    #29
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    I went to my usual shop to get the oil changed, and they changed the air filter also, they used the thick one. I asked about the thinner on superseding the other and he said he did not know anything about that, but has both in stock, and can get both. I asked about the AEM dry filter because i saw it on the shelf, and he said he does not recommend it in the Runner because it does not fit tight enough to keep dirt and dust from getting in around the edges.
     
  30. Aug 26, 2022 at 8:47 AM
    #30
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Total guess, but I bet the thicker filter is overkill for the US market.

    I like the idea of the thicker factory filter, but cant imagine Toyota is making a mistake with superceding the filter with this thinner one.
     

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