Why is there a hole in my intake!!?

So I was cleaning my engine for the first time today since I got my tacoma and today and I saw this hole! Idk what it could have been used for or why someone would do this. I dont see why it would harm anything since its before the air filter. Please tell me what you guys think I should do.

 

i would cover it up,somebody just wanted to hear it sucking air.

 

Will it cause damage if I don't? How should I plug it?

 

^yeah looks like somebody just cut a hole...stupid...ABS plastic will fix her right up...

it shouldn't cause any damage as long as you don't cross any deep water...but you are sucking in engine heat which can rob you of power...

 

Maybe tried something like this?
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/83487-air-box-mod-03-4x4-2-7-5-speed.html

 

WTF? Maybe someone tried to do a custom intake? But what would they have done with the stock... weird.

Plug it up, you're pulling plenty of air through the stock setup.

 

Ya Im thinking it was a failed attempt for a intake modd. The rest of the truck is great but I will get this fixed.

 

deckplate attempt on a second gen?!?!?!

 

^ Thats my guess

 

Not really damaging anything, but it is pulling hot air from the engine in instead of the colder air from the fender well.

 

All that's going to do is suck up hot air coming off the exhaust manifold.

 

I was thinking the same thing

 

i dunno if its been said yet, but i think itll suck in warm air. should prob seal it off.

 

WTH?

 

Its probs just sucking hot air, just seal it off

 

Measure the hole size and see if you can get a plastic plug to put in there.
Or someone may have a complete housing to sell you if you throw a WTB offer out there.
Best of luck but cover it even if you have to use the handymans secret weapon.

 

Or a junkyard... shouldn't cost much, maybe less than shipping.

 

you might want to check/clean that K&N filter too. Who knows when the last guy did it...