Is a bath sponge suitable as temporary fix for car air filter?

A few years ago my neighbour had a Renault and he drove through some floodwater and the engine stopped. It had ingested a considerable amount of water because the air intake was so low down in the engine compartment, the engine was totally wrecked, I believe the water caused hydraulicaling in the cylinders and the engine was not repairable. Dave W

No it’s a 2007 Fiat Panda diesel. They put a bolt hole just above the filter box in the window drain Channel and rain water leaks through this hole and drips into the filter box soaking the air filter. I’ve put some grease over the bolt temporarily but will clean it up with cellulose thinners and use silicon seal to stop the rain getting through.

It’s a 2007 Fiat Panda diesel. It’s a design fault. They put a bolt hole just above the filter box in the window drain Channel and rain water leaks through this hole and drips into the filter box soaking the air filter. Fortunately the filter box has a hole in the bottom so it doesn’t flood with rather but it seems this drain was retro fitted as manufactures knew it was a problem.

I’ve put some grease over the bolt temporarily but will clean it up with cellulose thinners and use silicon seal to stop the rain getting through.

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Looks like one of the easiest filter-changes possible; **LINK**

https://youtu.be/NV35kXk8nNk

Shame some idiot designer spoiled the ship for the proverbial ha’porth of tar

MichaelG.

Crikey. How very Italian.

Yes a small wodge of silicone sealer could work wonders. The seal on the airbox can't be too good either. I am pretty darn sure no water would get past the airbox seal on my Toyota Corolla. It is a very robust structure with over-centre latches and an 0-ring seal in a captive groove all round. Back on track to your original question: leave the duff filter out and drive with no filter at all. Get a new filter ASAP. DON'T put sponge or foam or paper or golden monkey fur in the airbox. If it disintegrates and gets sucked into the engine you will be very very sorry. But driving short distances with no air filter on sealed roads is no great danger.

That.

Stuffing some sponge in the box in place of the filter is just going to make you feel better until the engine ingests some of it. It won't filter anything worthwhile. If you're really worried about not having a filter, fit the new one in the carpark before you drive home...

A few miles without an air filter won't hurt - especially at this time of year when it is not particularly dusty - even less dusty when it is raining.

And fit the new filter before driving home, as others have suggested.

Running without a filter for 25k miles however will cause wear to the piston rings and cylinder bores, and potentially cause soot and crud build-up on the piston and the inlet valves and stems. This will be very gradual and not noticeable but the engine will wear.

Looking at Michael's link, the seal depends on the lid engaging with the back of the airbox and the foam being thick enough to fill the gap.

If one of the plastic pegs has snapped off the lid or the slot has split there will be a gap.

If you ring in before 12:00 you can usually get same day delivery on car parts from Euro Car Parts and sometimes GSF too.

I have previously had them deliver a battery and alternator to "the obvious broken down car behind Cotswold Outdoors in Betws" at about 15:30 on a Thursday, having ordered it just before lunchtime... Was a lot cheaper than a hotel.

Thank you that sounds the best solution.

Thank you that sounds the best solution.