Blocking off Fresh Air Vent

I got tired of smelling exhaust fumes in traffic. So I removed the wiper arms, and popped off the plastic molding that's located at the base of the windshield. Covered the fresh intake vent opening door with cardboard and filled the area with GREAT STUFF (insulated liquid foam) couldn't be happier! While I had the molding off I washed it and painted it black.

 

It's likely you will have issues with your defroster, among other things.

 

You must not live in an area that gets humid.

 

Can the ac/ heat pull air with this blocked?

 

Couldn't you have just rerouted it to pull air from the cab?

 

Blocking off the fresh air inlet will cause your blower motor to overheat and eventually become noisy unless you leave the recycle on

 

Doesn't the recirc button do that?

 

Interesting. I get it. I've had the same hellish experience of breathing fumes while stuck in traffic for hours at a time. I just turn mine off and open the window.

Your solution seems extreme to me. But if you spend all your time sitting in traffic I guess it works for you.

Let us know if you notice any issues develop. I think you can run the defroster and AC fine on recirc. No fresh air required.

Did you know a healthy adult farts 14-30 times a day? Yes, so that might be a consideration to keep in the back of your mind as a reason against recirc air. Also, I see you have a dog that apparently rides in your cab? That might also be another reason against recirc air.

 

On the older cars you never had a choice of recirculation or fresh air option. I've always drove around with the a/c on, and if my dogs dislike the smell of my farts! I'll roll the windows down! LOL!

 

This guy must be trolling.

 

Yes it does. And then you can push a button and open it to outside air when needed.

 

Wow just Wow...

 

the OCD in me makes me want to trim that smooth and flush with the opening! Im about to die looking at the bubbly expansion

 

Won't have to worry about leaves getting into the cabin air filter. That's a plus.

 

Yea, I noticed that when I changed the cabin filter every year, was amazed of all the amount of dirt and leaves. The fumes is what got to me, I was so upset about smelling the fumes all the time, it was either try sealing it or sell it!

 

Why not just use recirc?

 

Even if you have it set on recirculation. It's still pulling in a small percentage of fresh outside air. Haven't you ever pulled up behind an old oil burning car and smelled the fumes?

 

That means your recirc setting is bad I would just fix that instead of clogging the air intake but hey +1 for creativity.

 

I've noticed this with our Tacoma. My old Honda Accord doesn't have this problem on recirc. Going to buy a charcoal filter next time.

I would've attempted a fix that was a bit more reversible. Maybe some sort of cover.