Snow/ice buildup in-cabin air filter soaked??????

[Ripper238]

Got about 3" of heavy snow/ice, cleaned the heavy stuff off my car. While driving my windows started to fog and my heat was not blowing well so I checked the in cabin hair filter in it had icy snow buildup on top and it melted soaking the filter.
While pulling out the soaked air filter a bunch of snow fell into the fan and vent.....

Never in my many years and many vehicles have I had this happen. Why, how???

 

[Humble Leader]

new windshield? are your cowl drains clear?

 

[Ripper238]

new windshield? are your cowl drains clear?

Same windshield.

The cowl was covered with snow. It must have gotten pushed in when I cleaned off my 4R. Just no idea how it could have gotten all the way in there. It cant be a gaping hole where all the elements just get in there all the time?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Same windshield.

The cowl was covered with snow. It must have gotten pushed in when I cleaned off my 4R. Just no idea how it could have gotten all the way in there. It cant be a gaping hole where all the elements just get in there all the time?

I mean that's exactly what it is on almost all vehicles a giant hole cut into the firewall to let air in for the HVAC System...

That's a picture of my 4th gen's inlet after I installed a rodent screen on it as a precaution (something I think is stupid of Toyota not to do and I have mentioned it to the FTS and engineers multiple times when they visit and ask why I have a car torn apart or why I am installing a grate on the opening...)

It's not much different on the 5th gens, same general shape and location. That being said, usually the cowl has a baffle built into it to prevent large objects/water/debris from directly falling into the hole, so it has to make a bit of a loop down and up to get into the opening. Perhaps you managed to squish enough snow through the cowl to get it sucked into the opening?

I haven't run into this issue before and we do get plenty of the white stuff out here.

 

[Humble Leader]

Same windshield.

The cowl was covered with snow. It must have gotten pushed in when I cleaned off my 4R. Just no idea how it could have gotten all the way in there. It cant be a gaping hole where all the elements just get in there all the time?

did you open the hood and see a bunch of snow around the opening? like blackworks mentioned somehow it made its way in either through user error or a problem with the cowl itself.

no snow and rain should not get in there at all. my 4runner is parked outside all year and gets plenty of heavy snow and ice. I've never had this problem - but I am careful clearing the snow and ice off the cowl area. you must have really jammed it in there lol. have you tried replacing the filter or pouring some water over the area once the snow has melted to see if there's still a problem? maybe you accidentally bumped the cowl out of place when clearing snow and now snow is leaking in

 

[Ripper238]

That's what it must be. The snow/ice was the consistency of a slushy and it must have pushed passed the baffle when cleaning off the snow. Ill have to pop the hood and check it out.

Good to know and see those pictures. I may do a mod my self too!