DIY: Secondary Air Filter Removal

Use a flat blade screwdriver to pop the rivets-works great. (no need for the drill-too much room for error). Great write up - thanks

 

most cold air intakes are not really cold air since most of them have the filter located within the engine compartment. Youre better off keeping your enclosed box and changing the filter medium

 

Did this mod when I already had the air filter assembly off to replace the spark plugs. Very easy to get to, took a chisel and with one tap each the 6 plastic rivet heads came flying off. Simple as opening a beer can! I don't know if this will help my mileage but I don't figure it can hurt. Besides I saved the assembly and if I need to I can re-install it by melting what is left of the rivets with my solding iron and weld the plastic back together.

Combined with the AFE Pro-Dry filter I installed one thing is for sure, restriction in my air intake is not something that is going to hold down my performance or mileage.

 

I got an 09...still under warrenty. Could this void it? cuz we're not really messing with the ECU...but if ya'll are seein improvements i may as well give it a shot! greta write up

 

as many has said, for the v6, not much or maybe no difference... but for me, i feel a slightly more responsive throttle..

 

thats what i did just opened it and ripped it 5 sec job.

 

For what it's worth I've got some real world blind test results. My room-mate and I were talking about doing this and whether or not it would make any difference. I work a lot and never got around to removing it. My room-mate also knows that I log all my fuel ups on Fuelly.com. One day while I was away from the house with my girlfriend he decided to remove my charcoal filter without telling me. I drove around for a month as I typically do before he told me what he had done. So, what do the results look like? I did not notice any increase in power or throttle response but I did mention to him during that month that I was getting better fuel economy for some reason. We reviewed all my fill ups once he told me and noticed a definite measurable increase. My average before he removed it was a consistent 15.4 mpg. My average over that month and ever since has held steady at 16.9 mpg. I really wouldn't have expected such a result. But, it's nice to know that it's not me changing my driving habits in order to try and say removing this thing works because as I said before, I had no idea he had done anything to my truck.

 

Read ALL 19 pages of this thread, looked at multiple avatar pics and/or sigs and could not find an assumed or definite answer to the following question...

Does this mod apply to 1st Gen 4-bangers as well?

Sounds like an awesome mod, but just want to confirm before going in and disassembling stuff under the hood.

Thanks guys!

 

No, but first gens can do the deck plate mod, much better increase actually.

http://home.ezonline.net/~jnburtman/deckplate.html

 

I just joined here after purchasing a new Tacoma, so a little background on me...
21 years ago I purchased my first Toyota truck - a 1990 4cyl 4x4 5 speed manual regular cab pickup - the year before they created the Tacoma. Up until last week, I still had it and was getting between 20 - 24 mpg's. I felt it was time to trade it and finally go for a new one.
I just picked up a new 2011 Tacoma access cab 4 cyl 4x4 auto last week.
I've been less that thrilled with the 16 -17 mpg's it seems to be getting, but I'm still on the first tank and don't know how much the dealer topped off the tank, so we'll see on susequent fill-ups...
Anywhooooo.... I've been looking for ways to get better gas milage and stumbled across this thread. I didn't hesitate to remove this charcoal filter from the top of the air filter housing. A little needle-nose pliers and a gentle pull around each plastic post, and it comes out without a problem. I'll save it just in case I have to put it back in for whatever reason - it's simple to melt the plastic posts with a soldering iron if need be. Started the truck and made sure there was no CEL lit - it wasn't.
I then took it out and noticed it has immediate response from a dead stop - it was noticable to me that it has a little more power. I'll see about gas mileage once I take it out for any length of time, but this seems to be something that was worth it.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer, so these mods don't bother me. But for a newbie or someone with limited mechanical experience, I'd suggest this mod in a heartbeat - it's really simple and seems to be worth it.

 

Just did it and just filled up my tank 30 miles ago. gonna report my results. 2ndary air filter gone using an afe pro dry s

 

I just popped mine out in 2 mins. I just cut a hole then pulled each corner. Time will tell how it goes.

 

The amount of people claiming this mod reduces their cruising RPM just makes it clear you will see whatever improvement you expect to see.

If Toyota put the filter there, it's there for a reason. Taking it out is not going to turn your truck into a go-cart. It won't be coming out of my 4 banger.

 

Removing the secondary filter is one thing but DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT remove the screen ahead of the MAF. This is an air straightener not a filter. It promotes laminar airflow over your MAF sensor for more accurate MAF readings. Not having this will throw off your fuel trims and can hurt your gas mileage. If we were turbo or supercharged we would have a bunch of popped motors around here due to inaccurate MAF readings. The gains from removing the MAF screen are minimal compared to the risks involved with changing up your fuel trims.

I have extensive knowledge when it comes basic tuning principles and forced induction. If yall have any questions just PM me.

 

I just filled up with my first tankful after removing the filter. I was at 17.7 MPG at the previous fillup.
I was just at 19.9 MPG with this fillup with the filter removed. All of this was calculated at Fuelly.com.
That is awesome for all back-roads driving with no highway at all!!
I think this mod is really well worth it, but I do agree with being careful about the MAF sensor -
don't mess with it or with anything that has to do with it.

 

I noticed all of the gains that people talk about getting rid of just the factory air filter and going to a K&N. MPG's went from high 17's / low 18's to high 20's / low 21's. The idle is tad slower, the throttle response just a tad quicker. nothing major, just enough to go...hey, thats different. since my truck doesnt even have 3K on it yet...that secondary filter will stay (till warranty is up). If I pull it later and get more MPG's...total bonus. Get rid of just the factory air filter and you'll see gains.

 

I just finish reading the 20 pages os this Thread.

First this is a 5 lug thread so people with 6 Lug shuldn't be wondering heare.
Second al of the people claiming that this don't work have:
A. 6Cil
B. 4X4
C. Prerunner
D. TRD Package

I belive this works as soon as I get my truck I'll do it and get some numbers.

Third I belive that you can have better performance and responce and not have more horse power.

Will be posting soon...

 

still on the fence about if i should do this or not...

 

for as many people that have done it im pretty sure its not going to blow up your motor or something of that nature. as long as you dont have to worry about emissions in your state you should be fine . just keep a clean airfilter for peace of mind. ive had mine for for almost a year now