Air recirculation & dust

[HazAnd]

Hi. I’ve had my L405 (My17) from new for nearly a year now. Prior to this I drove an L322, P38 and D2 (so my expectation is based on around 20 years of LR ownership). My L322 was very air tight, not letting dust in when traveling along the Outback’s often long dirt roads. I’ve just returned from such a trip in my L405 and am disappointed at just how much dust got inside (and without traveling behind another car). Has anybody else experienced this with their L405, or could there be a fault with my recirculation button/system? Btw, I’m a ‘closed windows and air condition’ kind of Outback driver, not an ‘open window & arm out the side’ sort of guy!

[SBD4]

Hi. I’ve had my L405 (My17) from new for nearly a year now. Prior to this I drove an L322, P38 and D2 (so my expectation is based on around 20 years of LR ownership). My L322 was very air tight, not letting dust in when traveling along the Outback’s often long dirt roads. I’ve just returned from such a trip in my L405 and am disappointed at just how much dust got inside (and without traveling behind another car). Has anybody else experienced this with their L405, or could there be a fault with my recirculation button/system? Btw, I’m a ‘closed windows and air condition’ kind of Outback driver, not an ‘open window & arm out the side’ sort of guy!
Where was the dust coming in? I ask because I recall there being an issue with someones L494 having dust entering the cabin via the boot latch.

Regardless, I would not expect any dust to enter the vehicle. Perhaps a visit to the dealership to check that all seals and cabin filters are properly installed.

[Graeme]

I don't know about earlier L322s but my MY12 L322 has an auto option that only allows a small volume of fresh air mixed with recirculated air. I never use it because I want 100% fresh air to keep the cabin pressurised and suspect that the auto option would cause dust ingress. Are you using 100% fresh air?

[BobD]

I was going to say the same as Graeme. You need to use fresh air and the pollen/dust filter keeps the dust out while pressurising the car. That is what I have always done in the D3, D4, DS and L405 and have never had any dust in the cab. Lots of dust in the filter though but that is easy to change.

Check that the dust filter is fitted properly. I haven't looked at the one in my L405 but the dealer in Darwin fitted the dust filter incorrectly in the D4 and that causes it to be crushed and potentially not dust proof.