Air filter housing (unknown part)

2000 MERCURY VILLAGER

78,780 MILES • 3.3L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

PILOTBILL

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Hello, I have a question for you. Yesterday (February 28) I changed my motor oil and oil filter. I also replaced my air filter on the motor. Inside the air filter housing I also found the part showed below in the pictures. Can you tell me what the part is and should I try and find a new one to replace the old one before I start driving the vehicle again? I took the part to the local auto part store, none of the guys there said that they have ever seen anything like it, so they couldn’t help me.

Images (Click to enlarge)

Mar 1, 2019 at 8:44 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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110,175 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Is the item made of foam? Was it above or below the filter? Also, did you replace the filter in the past?

I have to be honest, if it is foam, it looks similar to what is known as a pre-filter.

Let me know.

Joe

Mar 1, 2019 at 7:37 PM

PILOTBILL

MEMBER
86 POSTS

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

Expert

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Is the item made of foam? Was it above or below the filter? Also, did you replace the filter in the past?

I have to be honest, if it is foam, it looks similar to what is known as a pre-filter.

Let me know.

Joe

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Yes, the item is made of foam. It was located below the air filter. This was the first time I changed the air filter since I brought the vehicle. Please let me know if this part should be replaced. Thank you.

Images (Click to enlarge)

Mar 3, 2019 at 1:55 PM (Merged)

ASEMASTER6371

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52,796 POSTS

Good afternoon,

Joe is apparently not on today so I thought I would try to help.

This looks like the foam from the original air filter that came with the car. The foam does not come with replacement filters. It may be residue from the old filter that no one cleaned out.

Roy

Mar 3, 2019 at 1:55 PM (Merged)