The Owner's manual doesn't mention a thing about where the air filter is located.....no pictures nothing! Gee Weez.........

I popped the hood open and I think the air filter is the one that's located on the right hand side (driver side) on the back. Is that correct? If so.....there are two screws on the right hand side.
Do I need to take that off in order to get to the air filter? I guess Lexus doesn't use clamps anymore?

 

Wow! 39 views and not a single answer....

 

I love this forum....you guys are awesome.....

 

No offense HarrierAWD........this is a new RX330 not an old RX300.

 

This forum is intended for people to ask questions.....not to flame someone!

 

Ouch guy's lol

 

I think you are right. My air filter box looks like your except it uses clips instead of screws. Just unscrew it and you will see.

Francis 99' RX

 

well, I am not here to make excuse, but the truth is there are many Lexus owners who never open their hood unless there is a problem. If some of them are here, they may not know what the air filter looks like or is.

I fortunately have, and yes that is the Air filter and I can't speak for Lexus but, I also did undo the air box and saw the air filter element ,and it is much different than they old model and I can see why they would use bolts instead of clamps. Since the engine doesn't vibrate violently bolts won't vibrate loose. So the bolts would hold the cover on tighter making for a better seal for the new style air filter they used.

If you haven't unbolted the filter and seen it,

The filter is a full paper element. There is no rubber rim like most Popular Air filters. Why lexus changed this design, I won't understand. And would complain about since just before my old RX got totaled I had purchased a TRD drop in filter, which I really liked and did notice an improvement in Acceleration smoothness and gas milage. I would have really liked to just taken the TRD filter and put it in this one if they had left air box and filter the same as the old model, the engine is general the same just larger displacement and a few internal upgrades.
So now I have a practically a brand new filter that noone wants and I can't use. I may try to modify it to see if it will fit in my new RX but we'll see, maybe I will put it on e-bay and see what happens.

 

No....I have not taken it out yet.....but thank you very much for clarifying things. I will try this weekend to take both bolts out and check out the condition of the air filter.

 

If anyone cares, here is a picture of the RX330 air filter. As mentioned above, it is an all paper type with no rubber frame. The airbox simply compresses the edge of the new paper filter to form the seal. I guess it works just as good. Anyway, to open the airbox you unscrew the two bolts (They are self retaining so they don't completey come off) and lift the airbox away from the bolt side toward the engine to unhook the lid. It is as easy as that.

 

CK6Speed,

Mahalo!! You are awesome!!

 

Damn is this good or bad for us? No frame? cost cutting or lighter weight?

 

In the case of the RX I think it is fine. The edge is actually fairly stiff as I think they have some extra cardboard or paper along the edge. I don't know what it is exactly as I don't want to cut up my one and only filter just yet It seems to make a good seal and that is all you need. I do believe K&N does have an application for the new RX330 as I have seen it advertised before.

By the way, for those that didn't notice if you look up on the underside of the hood they have a diagram of the intake path so you can't miss it.

As for cost cutting, it seems like everyone is doing it now and it is starting to annoy me a bit. First Acura changed the NSX filters to use the same one as the Legend and other V6 Honda/Acura cars, only they had already made those filters smaller back in 92 so it is even smaller. Now I notice Toyota/Lexus has done the same with their filters using much smaller ones than before. I'm not talking about a new design but for cars like the old SC400 1UZFE engines. Now the filters are getting cheaper. Oh well. As long as it works. Most of us change these filters out sooner than later anyway.

 

hi,can you tell me after taking out the screws how to take out the filter,it looks that other clip to be removed .thanks

 

There are two self retaining screws. One toward the front of the vehicle and one toward teh firewall side. Remove those two screws then just tilt the whole assembly toward the passanger side. It detaches and you can squeeze the air filter out. You might have to wiggle the airbox free just a bit, but it isn't that tight. If you wanted to completely remove the airbox you probably will have to loosen all the hose clamps and unclip the AFM.