Snow in Cabin Air Filter. Why!?

For some reason im getting Snow in my cabin air filter, winter just started where i am from and its happened 3 times already. I had my truck last winter and never had this issue... Does anyone have any idea why this is happening???

 

Check the cowl

 

Welcome to the forum. I see a block heater adapter cable there, Canada?

I'm going to guess the wind is blowing just right to work it's way through the cowl fresh air vent. Not sure, maybe try parking it with recirc active. Maybe that will close the fresh air damper and keep snow out.

 

Ive pondered if this ever happens to mine since the filter fills up with rather large debris in the summer very quickly. Gonna check next time I drive through blowing snow. Did this happen when driving or while parked?

 

I would suggest removing the cowl and seeing how it is getting in. Had rain water getting into the cowl of my wife's Impreza in the spring. Turned out under the cowl was debris from trees blocking all the drains and piles up so water poured into the fresh air intake. The Tacoma uses similar design.

Just noticed its a 2020... too new to be a debris problem.... maybe

 

I haven't even looked at the filter in my 3rd gen but have changed the second gen twice. Never in the winter though as I prefer that maintenance in the warmer weather. I'm curious how you discovered this? From snow melt/water inside on floor or glove box?

 

Alright ill check that out! And yes im from Canada. Im getting toyota to look at it soon so. Its just weird cause it never happened last winter.

 

I brought my truck in for the first service last week and they noticed that i had snow in my cabin filter, and they replaced it. I checked it again this morning because it wasn't getting to warm in the truck and the windows were fogging up, and it was full of snow again!

 

This happened while it was parked.

 

Please post back. Inquiring minds like to know lol. As for now I'm going to have to vote no. Welcome to TW.

 

Yeah ill keep everyone posted and ill let everyone know what Toyota decided to do in this situation.

 

What is different this Winter vs last Winter?
- Kind of snow storms (powder, wet, really windy).
- Where you park it.
- Direction it's facing while parked relative to prevailing winds.
- Climate control set to fresh air or recirculate.
- Surrounding terrain and/or buildings.

Obviously, check the items suggested by others as well to see what that might reveal.

 

I’ve had my truck since 17 and the only time it’s seen snow was on the drive home from the dealership.

 

I thought this thread looked like a rerun...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cabin-air-filter-loaded-with-snow.593870/

 

Same pictures and everything

 

I really don’t get why someone would do this. Trying to get their post count up or something? Idk.

 

Maybe he's going to be busy on Friday?

 

OP is running a vote...that’s different at least.

 

Nice catch.

 

Thats odd.... OP made a duplicate account maybe..?


Yes, snow can get into the air filters under the right conditions. If its really cold and the snow is fine and powdery, almost granular, then its pretty easy for it to get blown around and sucked up. Just like small twigs, leaves, etc get in there during the summer.

If you're driving through deeper snow in such conditions, you'll want to keep re-circ on as well as keep an eye on your main air filter. Ask me how I know

Edit: pic 2 was the solution to pic 1 after it happened again