Does anyone know why the bottom of the interior of the air filter housing tends to rust up?
Is it just coming in through the side vent while driving in the rain?

Is there a mod that can alleviate the problem?

Thanks in advance.

quote Originally posted by dpatterson: Does anyone know why the bottom of the interior of the air filter housing tends to rust up?

Are you aware there are two (actually three) different types of factory air filter housings on Fieros? I'll assume you're referring to the housing for the V6 equipped Fieros.

My guess is that rain water works it's way into the lid of the housing from the top. Perhaps try using a rubber washer of some sort under the nut.

Rodney has the gaskets for the air cleaner--there is one on the bottom, and a rope type one for the lid--also check your air hose on the bottom--make sure it is on...

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Pat Jones

quote Originally posted by 88FieroGT TTops: Rodney has the gaskets for the air cleaner--there is one on the bottom, and a rope type one for the lid--also check your air hose on the bottom--make sure it is on...

I don't believe either of those gaskets has anything to do with preventing water from getting into the filter canister. I could be wrong, but IMO rain water is getting into the center of the top lid.

I've had this occur with a GT which was sitting out in the open unstarted for years. I was shocked when I took off the top of the filter canister and saw how much water was sitting in there!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-27-2015).]

I have to say that I seriously doubt that much, if any, water gets in through the hole in the lid.
The nut that holds the lid in place is flanged and was quite tight.

Condensation, or moisture from air entering the canister from the fender air intake.

Rust will occur when there is enough mositure in the air.

It comes in the side intake...especially in a hard rain with the baffle removed. On my Ferrari kit, there is a much bigger quarter panel scoop, and routed dryer duct from it to the air cleaner. In a very hard rain, it would even stall the engine out on the freeway. It would refire just fine after I stopped moving. Even if you have the baffle, water can still get in the can. I always recommend K&N air filters for that reason alone. OEM paper ones always get soaked and swell up like balloons even choking the engine enough to run very rich. The only Fieros Ive seen with nice dry air filters (v6) are ones never driven in the rain. All others have at least some distortion and rust in the can.

take it out.
clean the worse rust, paint flakes, etc.
coat w/ "active" products that convert the rust to paint primer.
paint w/ rustoleum etc.

many love por-15 products.

Many ____ believe the Myth that destroying intake "muffler" help performance. They point to water drain hole and think that's for air flow. Destroying or removing the muffler can/will cause problems driving in wet weather. Even worse for V6 because short pipe to air cleaner.
Most Air filters do not like getting wet. If you have a Shop Vac... Some filters will be wreck by sucking water. (Filter labels say so.) Same for car air filters. Some types won't see the damage right away but damage can cut air flow even after they dry.

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