Polaris RZR Air Filter

One of the most repeated complaints about the 2008 Polaris RZR was that the air filter assembly was inadequate. The problem was that the seal between the filter housing and intake was very poor and thus let dirt and debris past the filter and into the engine. Others reported that dirt was getting past the seal between the lid and filter housing. With the location of the Polaris RZR air intake housing, it is prone to getting bombarded by dirt, mud, dust, and sand that are kicked into it by the back tires. Most owners that caught the problem early enough and avoided engine failure cured it with an aftermarket air filter assembly, but that can be pricey. Eventually, this became so widespread a problem that Polaris recalled the filter assemblies on most f the 2008 RZR models and provided an updated replacement free of charge. Because of this, when the 2009 RZR model came out it was fitted with a newly designed filter assembly made to solve the problem. The biggest design change here is the new intake boot and larger filter, and it seems to have made everyone happy. However, there are still claims of very fine dust making its way past the filter assembly and into the housing, but these are few and far between. Some owners still prefer the aftermarket air filter systems for other reasons such as increased air flow or better filters, but overall it seems that most feel that the 2009 air filter housing design fixed the problem. Polaris did not issue a filter assembly recall for the 2009 models, so chances are they are sealed up tight. However, if you have a 2008 model RZR and were unaware of the problem before, take the time to make sure there is no dirt or debris getting past the filter lid or intake boot. If so, address the problem immediately; even the smallest amount of dirt can lead to a shorter engine life.