How to remove the air filter.
 

I took some photos to show how the TCH air filter housing is removed. It is mostly straight forward, with the exception of a cable support fastener that needs removing by compressing it's fins.

A 9mm socket removes the two bolts on the drivers side of the housing (red arrows) and bolt to loosen the hose clamp on the other side (red arrow.) The electrical connector easily disconnects with a gentle squeezing (top and bottom squeeze to release) as you pull it out (blue arrow.)

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...singmarked.jpg

The only tricky part is releasing the electrical harness support fastener without damaging it (blue arrow.) I didn't want to cut the support from the cable to free it. I found that a 7mm socket almost compresses the fins enough for it to pop free. I used a 6mm to pop it free the rest of the way. What is really needed is a 6.5mm. I may drill out a cheap 6mm socket to make my own removal tool.

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...nercloseup.jpg

Here is a photo showing the cover removed, and the plug and fastener disconnected.

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...verremoved.jpg

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Good DYI. I wonder why there's an electrical connection to the air filter? Do you know if you are required to buy an OEM air filter or if there is an aftermarket one available? I wonder how much the OEM filter is?

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

From the picture it looks like that is probably the mass airflow sensor...but of course I don't have the car nor manual so I can't say for sure.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Yes, it is indeed the "Mass Air Flow Meter" that connects to the wiring harness. Toyota uses this instead of a "Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)" gauge. Inside the top half of the air cleaner cover is a maintenance-free carbon filter (not shown in the pictures).

Stan

P.S. nash, if you give the aircleaner a good horizontal "whack," do you get a rattle from something inside yours? Please let me know! Thanks.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Do you have to buy the filter from Toyota or is there an aftermarket version? What is the cost, if anyone knows?

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

The Toyota air filter is part no. 17801-20040
Fram part number is: CA9360
Hastings part number: CFA1133
WIX part number is: 46673

The same air filter is used on 2002-2007 Camrys with the I4.

No rattle with a firm whack.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

nash — Thanks! I'll have to investigate further to find the cause of my rattle. It might be the Mass Air Flow Meter, as there doesn't seem to be anything to rattle in the bottom half of the case. [I had already opened my air cleaner up in the hope that there was some obvious source for the rattle, but couldn't see one. I'll need to get the top half off the car in order to test whether the rattle is indeed in the top half.]

Stan

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Today I installed my TRD filter. I found that a 10mm socket was needed for the bolts and I have no luck getting the support clip off. In fact, the entire piece broke off the air box! Oh well...

Anyhow, I can see the edge of the TRD filter on the "hinged" side. I tried to get it to completely cover it but couldn't. Has anyone has a similar issue after changing the filter? Does anyone thing this would be a problem?

Also, I notices there was quite a bit of dirt and water spots in the air box under the filter. This doesn't surprise me seeing as I am always wiping dirt out of the duct. I think they should have protected it a little more.

Lastly, what's the deal with the upper air filter? Do they not think one is enough????

Thanks.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

mikieboyblue — I think there's an activated charcoal filter above the replaceable one. It's supposed to last the lifetime of the car.

Stan

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Thanks Stan.

Anyone have thoughts on the other concerns?

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

I just removed the two screws on the right side and slipped out the old filter and slipped in the new filter (gently open the housing enough to slide the filter out). I didn't like the idea of possibly breaking the plastic components on the left side. No problems with the slide in method. Advanced AutoParts had the Purolator Air Filter for the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid for $9.88 (A35432). They didn't have the cabin air filter yet but I went ahead and matched the closest one which was Purolator Green boxed Cabin Filter for $12.28. It fit snugly. Just make sure if you use the C35530 to note which way the filter is up and just turn the filter horizontally around until it fits the correct way into the Camry Hybrid. So far, no problems with the cabin filter adjustment.

I tried the NAPA store for both filters but they had neither. No store including Autozone, AutoParts, etc had the 2007 Camry Hybrid exact cabin air filter. Shame! Just for grins, anbody know what the dealer wants for the cabin air filters?

I have a Japan made 2007 Camry Hyrbid. It gets 41 mpg in the city and 43 on the highway. I live and travel to work on flat surfaces and use the accelerate and glide method as it is come to be known.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

How do you get the charcoal filter out? Does it ever need to be replaced?

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

did the same as bugs. Ordered both cabin and engine off ebay.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

I just removed the two bolts and opened up the housing enough to pull the old filter out and put the new one in. I didn't want to mess with undoing everything else just to get the filter swapped. Total time was less than 5 minutes. :)

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Easy as apple pie! :shade:

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

I just changed my 2009 engine air filter using the Bugs 2 bolt removal/lift method. Worked super! The hooks at the other end popped out and I had to lift and push the cover back hard to get both back in (the rear one has pressure from other components connected to it when lifted) but it still was easy. Note the bolts are 10mm. I used a Fram filter from Wally World.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

All you need to do is to loosen the two 10mm bolts and the housing will come up enough to remove the filter. The square corner will go the the front, drivers side of the car. Make sure you have the two hooks on the passenger side in the correct place before you tighten them.

It only take a minute to replace the air filter and you do not need to remove anything other than those two bolts. You guys are making this WAY to hard on yourselves.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

DO NOT leave the screw loose that clamps the air box outlet to the Mass Air Flow housing. I did that first time I changed the AF. Car sounded like it was coming apart at the seams. I had it towed to the dealer. They printed out, then cleared seven pages of fault codes, tightened the screw and billed me $119.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Ouch, that hurt just for a loose screw. You got hit with the hour of labor for 15 minutes work. I wish I could charge for my time like that. If your like me, it would be one loose screw working on another! LOL! I just take the two screws loose and raise it carefully and pull the filter out.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Thanks, this was very helpful. For my 2007 Camry, it was a 10mm socket. And for that wireharness trick (which is excellent, BTW) I just used a 6mm and gently rocked it back & forth. For folks just reading this, you need to use this socket from underneath to free it. One can change the filter without removing the harness or hose clamp, taking the entire housing off as shown is useful should you need to vacuum the the filter box out (mine had a fair amount of fine debris in it.) Also if you go this route a small precision flat blade screwdriver blade gently inserted under the plastic tab that holds the electrical connector together will help it come off easier. (note, I said small and gently)

Lastly, don't forget the cabin air filter while you are replacing this one. It is located behind the glovebox. I paid around $15 for each and my NAPA had both.

Re: How to remove the air filter.
 

Has anybody tried K&N air filters for Hybrids? Do they even make it? Does it improve your mileage drastically? Any thoughts? I have used K&N filter before on regular cars and they have given me very slight mileage and response improvements.