Ventilation air filter

I'm going to throw in one from left field, because I've been thinking about this a bit since my Puma filled up with red dust. Now this might not be an issue for other Defenders, as I only have the Puma to look at, but the join between the first section of air duct and the air box with the fan assembly has a gap I can easily poke my fingers through. There is a fairly open weave foam strip between them but it even doesn't touch the fan assembly housing by about 10mm for a decent length. I have noticed this gap also lets engine heat into the fresh air intakes and an exhaust leak or oil leak under the bonnet would be very unpleasant (maybe not so much the exhaust leak as the exhaust stuff is all on the drivers side).

I'll try and get some photo's together to further explain the issue, but I am pretty convinced this is the source of my dust and heat issue. Anyone else notice this?

Hmm interesting observation JB, I certainly haven't noticed it, but then I haven't spent any time under the bonnet.
As I'm going to clean it this week, (inside and out,,, ok maybe just inside ;)) but I'll have a bit of a gander at it.
Haven't really been in the position to get much dust in it, but the future will put us right in the zone. It's one of those precautionary jobs that need to be done.

If that is the case it will not be easy to fix as you cannot get the duct out without disconnecting airco stuff and you cannot get the fan assembly out easy as well.
I have been trying to do so

Hans

I was thinking along the same lines. Am not so worried about clogging up since it is only ventilation if it is easy accessible you can always quickly clean it out.The problem is to keep it in place as the opening in the wing top is smaller than the duct it needs to be deformable but stiff enough to stay in place and not be sucked in the duct as that widens out
Hans

I agree it won't be easy to fix, Hans, as the two parts are quite separate at the join and it is quite difficult to get to most of it. You can really only see one edge and feel another, while the other two sides are well hidden. It almost needs a bellows type system that clips between them, but that would be impossible to do in-situ and I'm pretty sure I won't go to the extent of removing the two parts if that means degassing the aircon to get access, as I suspect.

It'll be a little while till I can lean over the guard to take a good peek, as I broke a rib on Boxing Day and am still pretty sore:(.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JayBoRover

I'll try and get some photo's together to further explain the issue, but I am pretty convinced this is the source of my dust and heat issue. Anyone else notice this?

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Glad I read this thread so far... Exact same problem and I was going to see what the dealer had to say about it when it goes in next. I can get my fingers in the bottom of mine as you mentioned above, but from the top it looks sealed.

I'm also looking for a solution as per this thread. I did think something like those vacuum air filters that was the size of the standard top guard grill being cut to size and mounting under the plate.

I'm just curious, with all this focus on filtering the heater intake, how everybody plans to filter the air on the other thousand or so places that air and red dust gets into a defender? :)

Just as well I work at a silicone/silastic factory. I'm sure I can get enough to seal her up ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mike_ie

I'm just curious, with all this focus on filtering the heater intake, how everybody plans to filter the air on the other thousand or so places that air and red dust gets into a defender? :)

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Just run the fan on two or higher and NEVER on recirc - problem solved.