5th gen HVAC blower not blowing strong - partial solution

[j-dub]

For a while now my girlfriend has been complaining that the air is not blowing hard enough on the HVAC and she is not as cool as she would like in her 2021 4Runner. Today I did some testing to verify all is working as it should. The AC system is charged and the air is cold. The blower motor speed controller is working on all speeds, the flaps to move the air to different locations all work properly. I took the blower motor down and tested it on the floor as well as looked for debris in the vents, no problems found. I then tested the system with the cabin filter removed and what do you know, the air is blowing really hard.

Some time back I replaced the cabin air filter with a HEPA/Charcoal filter for better filtering and that thing significantly restricts airflow. I put in a basic filter, the kind you can see light through if you hold it up to the sun, it is really hard to tell the difference in airflow between this one and the no filter flow.

TLDR: remove your fancy HEPA cabin filter if you want airflow.

Jeremy

 

[DAW89446]

If I removed my cabin air filter, the field mice would loose their cushy nest ... :sad:

 

[tonytoshiba]

For a while now my girlfriend has been complaining that the air is not blowing hard enough on the HVAC and she is not as cool as she would like in her 2021 4Runner. Today I did some testing to verify all is working as it should. The AC system is charged and the air is cold. The blower motor speed controller is working on all speeds, the flaps to move the air to different locations all work properly. I took the blower motor down and tested it on the floor as well as looked for debris in the vents, no problems found. I then tested the system with the cabin filter removed and what do you know, the air is blowing really hard.

Some time back I replaced the cabin air filter with a HEPA/Charcoal filter for better filtering and that thing significantly restricts airflow. I put in a basic filter, the kind you can see light through if you hold it up to the sun, it is really hard to tell the difference in airflow between this one and the no filter flow.

TLDR: remove your fancy HEPA cabin filter if you want airflow.

Jeremy

I use a K&N filter. I purchased two of them, 2 for engine, 2 for cabin. I offroad, or drive through the desert regularly.
When I get back on pavement, I exchange my engine filter and my cabin filter. The K&N blows freely, excepting when plugged with dirt and fines.
Cheap insurance, and I like 50℉ cabin.

 

[GreyPoupon4runner]

This has been a thing with toyotas for a while...

I have a GX460 and have the same complaint. I'd love to swap for something that pulls more voltage and spins a little faster. In part it's toyota wanting to keep things quiet, but frankly, sometimes you need the sound of a tornado in the car when it's freaking hot.

 

[Humble Leader]

my wife complains of the same thing. her rx has a regular filter and my 4runner has the charcoal. Im going to switch back to non charcoal when I change it out next

 

[CutthroatSlam]

I just changed the blower motor on my wife's 2014 which has 432K miles. She was complaining about a squeak when it was on, but I could not hear it. I could hear her complains, so I installed a new Aisin unit. Took less than 10 minutes. Hopefully, I will no longer hear my wife's complaints.

P.S. Kept the old unit as I could not detect nor hear a bearing problem.

 

[jmila1901]

Had a simmilar issue with my 2016 4runner. AC didnt feel as strong as it once was and i could tell the bearing was either wearing out or their was a leaf stuck in the system somewhere, drove my wife nuts which indirectly drove me insane.

Went down the rabbit hole of finding a better than factory solution since most toyotas / lexus models use very simmilar parts.

Turns out the Land Cruiser uses a stronger and quieter blower.

10 Minute mod with an 8mm socket...

Old PN: 87103-60400
New PN: 87103-60481 (Brushless Motor)

Should have jumped on the forums and found the PN for the non charcoal air filter... Seems like that helps too. Wound up ordering a premium parts store charcoal filter but the regular filter probably would have yielded a quieter result with higher CFM, just lacks the oder eliminating component youd get with a charcoal filter.

 

[jmila1901]

Side note... would be great if folks could report what temps they are getting in comparison to ambient...

i used this off amazon to reference.. Im at 42ish F at 87ambient (South Florida)

Amazon.com

 

[taylorharris50]

Sounds like you fixed your own problem!

 

[Humble Leader]

Side note... would be great if folks could report what temps they are getting in comparison to ambient...

i used this off amazon to reference.. Im at 42ish F at 87ambient (South Florida)

Amazon.com

it depends on the temperature and relative humidity. on days that are hot but not extreme you should get near low 40s (40-42) from left centre vent , AC recirc, fan speed low, vent on face. very hot and humid might be a bit higher

 

[fourrunnerbill]

I got a HEPA filter and it seems fine, but it makes sense it would restrict some flow. I don't remember the brand from O'REILY. I'll check and report back next a day or so.