Air Cleaner Housing: Description and Operation

Air Cleaner And Air Mass Sensor Assembly:

Small particles of dust and dirt, if allowed to enter the engine with the intake air, can cause severe engine damage over a relatively short period of time. The air cleaner filters out these particles. It consists of a plastic housing (2 piece) that clips together to hold a paper filter element. Air enters the lower housing through a duct that collects air from the front of the car. The air is filtered then exits to the air mass sensor, which mounts directly to the air cleaner housing upper section.

The filter element is made of a fibrous paper material that, if unfolded and laid flat, has a surface area of several square feet. The filter surface area is this large so that the filter will not significantly restrict air flow (except of course when it's clogged with dirt). Also, the larger the surface area the longer the interval between services.