Factory Outlander PHEV 2.0 air filter element half blanked off?

[ckracer76]

Does anybody know why the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 PHEV factory air filter is only half the size of the available air box space?

It appears half blanked off?

Is this to restrict the volume of air hold into the engine?

I always thought the more air flow the better.

Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[kpetrov]

I was wondering the same first time when I saw it!? WHY... to save some filter paper!?

 

[littlescrote]

Doesn't need the full area as it doesn't rev high.

 

[yardbird]

Plastic is cheaper than paper.

 

[YYZ2018GT]

I was wondering if there is a filter that fits that is not half blocked off. Anyone found it yet?

 

[littlescrote]

I was wondering if there is a filter that fits that is not half blocked off. Anyone found it yet?

Why? What do you think it'll gain? I'll tell you - absolutely nothing.

 

[ckracer76]

Maybe so, but still interesting to know what the reason behind the design is?

 

[AndyInOz]

It's probably worth looking to see if that air box suits other Mitsubishi models.

In manufacturing, if you can use one component to suit multiple models, then you do so, because it reduces your overheads.

In this case, I'm prepared to guess that the same box is used on different models, and different air filters are put into the box depending on the airflow requirements of the specific engines.

 

[MiPHEV]

Both the air cleaner housing 1500A731 and air inlet cover 1500A701 do not seem to cross over to other models, at least not US Mitsubishi models - but a crossover part to another model was my first thought too.

It is quite possible that the size of the box and the filter shape was engineered as part of the air intake muffler system - a significant portion of engine noise that makes it into the cabin comes from the intake; this is why there are all those plastic blobs/empty air chambers attached to intake snorkels on most OEM vehicles in order to eliminate noise, resonance, or droning at specific RPM and engine loads. These are usually added and/or modified during vehicle NVH testing in pre-production as well as simulated in the design stage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise,_vibration,_and_harshness

 

[YYZ2018GT]

Why? What do you think it'll gain? I'll tell you - absolutely nothing.

Better airflow and longer filter replacement interval?

 

[YYZ2018GT]

Both the air cleaner housing 1500A731 and air inlet cover 1500A701 do not seem to cross over to other models, at least not US Mitsubishi models - but a crossover part to another model was my first thought too.

It is quite possible that the size of the box and the filter shape was engineered as part of the air intake muffler system - a significant portion of engine noise that makes it into the cabin comes from the intake; this is why there are all those plastic blobs/empty air chambers attached to intake snorkels on most OEM vehicles in order to eliminate noise, resonance, or droning at specific RPM and engine loads. These are usually added and/or modified during vehicle NVH testing in pre-production as well as simulated in the design stage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise,_vibration,_and_harshness

The filter design doesn't seem to be a huge engineering work, though I do see from your article that the intake housing and cover does have sound level/noise in mind at times.

I am gonna see if the air filter housing can be swapped out.

 

[littlescrote]

Better airflow and longer filter replacement interval?

You won't get better airflow, if you did then Mitsubishi would have done it.

Yep, if you have twice as much filter area, it will take twice as long to get dirty (provided airflow is evenly distributed, which it won't be), but probably at twice the cost. If you can get a bigger area filter for cheaper, then it's worth doing.

 

[yardbird]

$8 for 3 filters plus about $10 shipping. I change the air filter every 15k miles or less..

 

[Outlandish23]

Anybody try to install that "half blocked off" air filter element?

It doesn't fit the air box of my 2023 Outlander PHEV at all. There appears to be an error in the fitment guide database that all, or nearly all, of the parts stores (online and brick & mortar) use. Rockauto.com's website which has been amazing for so many other vehicle parts I've purchased over the years, specified the WIX WA11191 which is one of those "half blocked off" designs. Well it arrived and doesn't even come close to fitting!

I took out the factory (rectangular) air filter element and it's a DENSO 1500A831.

I can't find these sold ANYWHERE except the dealership.

No cross-reference guide listings or anything like that. It seems so basic and familiar as just a standard, rectangular air filter element; that I have a hard time imagining there are other, readily available, air filter elements that would match up, fit in, and perform as good as that factory DENSO 1500A831 air filter element.

If anyone has a manufacturer & part number for a RECTANGULAR air filter element (not the "half blocked off" variety), could you please share it here??

So much that I like about this vehicle, but this is pretty crazy that the only place to obtain an air filter element is from the dealership (and all other parts sellers will happily sell you the wrong one).

 

[ChrisCosta416]

$8 for 3 filters plus about $10 shipping. I change the air filter every 15k miles or less..

I would not cheap out on a unknown brand filter. If you are on a budget at least get one off Rockauto.

The OE mfg for filters is MAHLE but a Wix one will be fine.

 

[Outlandish23]

I would not cheap out on a unknown brand filter. If you are on a budget at least get one off Rockauto.

The OE mfg for filters is MAHLE but a Wix one will be fine.

Do you have a MAHLE part number for a 2023 Outlander PHEV air filter element (rectangular, not half blocked off)?

Would appreciate that, so I can maybe find one at an auto parts outlet/website.

Thank you.

 

[Outlandish23]

Anybody try to install that "half blocked off" air filter element?

It doesn't fit the air box of my 2023 Outlander PHEV at all. There appears to be an error in the fitment guide database that all, or nearly all, of the parts stores (online and brick & mortar) use. Rockauto.com's website which has been amazing for so many other vehicle parts I've purchased over the years, specified the WIX WA11191 which is one of those "half blocked off" designs. Well it arrived and doesn't even come close to fitting!

I took out the factory (rectangular) air filter element and it's a DENSO 1500A831.

I can't find these sold ANYWHERE except the dealership.

No cross-reference guide listings or anything like that. It seems so basic and familiar as just a standard, rectangular air filter element; that I have a hard time imagining there are other, readily available, air filter elements that would match up, fit in, and perform as good as that factory DENSO 1500A831 air filter element.

If anyone has a manufacturer & part number for a RECTANGULAR air filter element (not the "half blocked off" variety), could you please share it here??

So much that I like about this vehicle, but this is pretty crazy that the only place to obtain an air filter element is from the dealership (and all other parts sellers will happily sell you the wrong one).

 

[yardbird]

I would not cheap out on a unknown brand filter. If you are on a budget at least get one off Rockauto.

The OE mfg for filters is MAHLE but a Wix one will be fine.

We are not talking about rocket science here, I have compared the quality of the filter paper versus those of OEM, they work & fit perfectly. Other mechanical & electrical auto parts , yes, get OEM.

 

[ckracer76]

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What vehicle is the blue Mitsubishi air filter for/from?

 

[Outlandish23]

What vehicle is the blue Mitsubishi air filter for/from?

It's the one I pulled out of (then cleaned and put back into) my 2023 Outlander PHEV.