Mine ('86 4/4) doesn't have a filter. It has some rather crappy strips of foam around the edges that theoretically close up to the bonnets and stop the hot air from the engine getting in through the intake [note to self: must redo those at some point, maybe it's time to play with some neoprene], but inside that is just a gaping maw with nothing except the louvres above to stop leaves or rodents getting in. I can't say I've ever had a mouse land on my ankles while driving, though, so I guess that hasn't (yet) been an issue...
As my car is quite old, I was able to replace the crappy old heater box with a stainless job from Heart of England. All it has instead of a filter is just a network of holes drilled in the top to stop debris, small mammals, and such stuff getting through. Is a filter really necessary?
Good question
My heater box is the original from 2000 and the air intake inside the box is on the back under a aluminium lip so without a filter it is unlikely that debris would get down into the cockpit inlet system ( I use the word 'system' lightly and loosely) so maybe the filter is unnessary
Any thoughts ?
