300TDI mangled air filter - any ideas?

This is the second time I've had a filter like this - only about 1K miles after installation. Any idea why it's happening?

Water getting in ... are you wading too deep? Have you sealed the airbox cover correctly? Check the inlet pipe at the front of the airbox is actually there and pointing through the inner wing into the wing/wheel well area.

Looks like it got wet, it's strange I've never seen any thing like it with any air filter. Who's make is it ?

I've got a feeling it was britpart. I did do a bit of wading a few weeks ago, but nothing serious. I do get a lot of spray from the wheels (usually enough to cover the windscreen even at low speeds) - I wonder if the wheels are kicking up a shed load of water either heading into the engine bay and through a seal somewhere, or if the wheel arch is getting flooded by it (plastic trim in the wheel arch is still in place).

Paul D said:

Water getting in ... are you wading too deep? Have you sealed the airbox cover correctly? Check the inlet pipe at the front of the airbox is actually there and pointing through the inner wing into the wing/wheel well area.

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I once had mice nesting in my air filter box below the filter, chewed the underside of the filter element and made a nice cosy nest. They didn't seem to mind going for a ride.
Maybe you've had strong mice.

Cheap and nasty filter maybe!! Try fitting a good one and see what happens.

nicedayforit said:

I once had mice nesting in my air filter box below the filter, chewed the underside of the filter element and made a nice cosy nest. They didn't seem to mind going for a ride.
Maybe you've had strong mice.

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Bloody hell ! It must have been a bit draughty in that nest

looks like the filters I take out of mine when i've been playing in too many puddles

sounds like a good excuse to the missis for a snorkel

AND slow down in the water!!!!