Stock air intake question

[FloridaTJ]

Question for you all...

While chasing another random sound from the engine bay, I noticed something today.

With my 2.5 ‘98 running, if I place my hand over the intake horn coming from the intake box, there is not much suction to the hand and the engine doesn’t bog down. I thought this was weird, so I disconnected the rubber hose running to the intake box and covered that with my hand. As expected, suction and the engine bogged down. I looked all over the top and bottom half of the intake box, and nothing noticed as far as cracks or misalignments. All clips present and holding down the cover securely, clean k&n filer inside. IS THIS NORMAL.?..

 

[Jerry Bransford]

After replacing that terrible-at-filtering K&N with something that actually filters like an AC-Delco, look under the filter for cracks in the enclosure.

Seriously, K&N air filters have a terrible reputation for not filtering fine dirt and dust well. I got rid of mine years ago after learning just how bad they are in dirty dusty conditions.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

+1 on K&N's doing a terrible job at filtering. Plus your 4 angry squirrels couldn't take advantage of one anyways. Ditch it.

 

[TJ2]

Here is what happened to my OEM air filter box.
The top cover was not "plumb-square" and not sealing (keep in mind there is no rubber gasket to it).
There is no way for me to inspect it for "hair-line gaps" for the lead cover after it is all clamped in.

 

[pagrey]

Every factory airbox I've ever seen has drain holes that allow air to enter through the bottom. They are almost never air-tight. It's nothing to worry about as long as the upper half holds the filter square.