I went to open the hood to install an air filter but there was a gap or seam on the left side of the box and lid? after installing a new filter, i tried every way possible to line up the lid with the box but it is off and not flush.

you can see a little bit of the white rubber filter.

so is this a problem? i have 52,000 miles on the 2009 xd.

 

I had the same problem with my 07 tc! Damn you drive a crap load!

 

technically, the car was brought in mid 2008. two years seems reasonable for a daily driving vehicle.

 

I bought a used 09 and checked the filter.. I didn't have an issue with it.. It seems to be flush on all sides and the clips are on secure.

 

I have 12K on my 09 and I think that is a lot.

 

I barely had 40k on my 2008 back in January.

Are you installing an aftermarket air filter or the OEM air filter? I put in a K&N filter and there was no gap, it was a bit too big actually.

 

thanks for your input. i've taken my friends to las vegas from los angeles frequently in the past, and i currently moved to Connecticut.

anyways, the filter is oem, i tried putting the lid in with or without the filter and there is still a gap. the two joints will not be flush.

is the right way to install the filter by removing the clamps only or you have to take out the hose by loosening the hose clamp?

im just afraid that water might get into the box when it starts to rain

 

sorry for the double post but here are pictures i've taken which shows what im talking about. (i took them kind of slanted and not top view.

 

I think your filter is in either upside down, 180 degrees off or both. If you look closely at the lips that runs the longer edge of the filter you will see two rectangular notches on one side.

 

thanks but i think i found my answer. looks the intakes on the (2008-2009) models allows water to enter.
found this while i was searching google.

 

I have a 2008 and mine does not look like that!

 

If its not too far out of your way, it cant hurt to go run to your preferred dealer and have a service manager or tech have a look at it, they should be automatically be able to tell you if its normal, a defect, or a known issue

 

thanks, i went down to the nearest scion service center. i had the worst experience! not to blame all women, but i had this women adviser who was the only one available. (she was scared at first because of the engine temperature and said she wouldnt put her hands near it. anyways heres what she had to say, "its normal for the air filter box to breath" i respond to her that water will get in and will damage something. (i have 52,000 miles and i think im out of warranty)

lo and behold, it was raining that day and i did a water test, drove 50 miles on the highway with puddles. when i got home the filter area had water marks, the filter near the bottom corner had been wet because it turned black and was obvious!

now i was driving pretty fast when it was raining, so i dont know if water will splash on the filter box when you drive slow.

 

Sounds to me like she had no idea what you were even asking her. I normally ask the same question multiple times and make sure they are positive that nothings wrong. Will also normally say things like "So when i drive to the other dealership down the road, they are going to agree that this is normal and within spec, and that nothing is wrong?"

It really could be normal, i remember mine being sealed with a filter in it when i had my stock airbox on, I've since removed the stock air box and just tacked on a cone filter.

 

thanks everyone, i think im going to have to live with it.
i saw two cars in different pictures and they have the same problem as me.

first picture is kind of blurry but you can see a white seam.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h9...K/IMG_0798.jpg

second picture is obvious
http://www.garage1217.com/SCIONXD/INTAKE/INTAKE3.jpg

 

I have a trd filter in my 09 less than 5k od. It has a very small gap as well (but no gaps to let air in - it is sealed). Didn't even notice it until you mentioned it but at least its more protected from the elements than a cone filter

 

If I had a gap like that I wouldn't really worry about it, personally.

I recently changed the filter on my '08 D, and I had a hell of a time trying to get the filter to fit until I realized I bought the wrong one. lol

Went to Autozone, and the correct filter fit perfectly and the swap took maybe 5 minutes. Everything is snug and sealed!

You might just need to maneuver things around a little more, but honestly it's not a big deal. The actual filter part of it is covered, and it looks like a tight fit. You should be okay.