Stop changing air filters, your killing your engines!

[BEE-JAY42]

I had the good fortune of attending a short course run by Donaldson air filters at work the other day. It open my eyes to a few new facts that I thought I would pass on.

* A clean air filter doesn't catch dirt, it takes time for the holes in the filter media to become blocked by larger pieces of dust. I was aware there was a run in period but didn't realize it was so big, a large machine working under the most extreme conditions in a coal mine will take over 100 Hours before it's filters are blocked enough to become effective.

* A quality paper element filter will hold nearly twice it's weight in dust before it is blocked. Your filter probably isn't anywhere near as dirty as you think it is.

* Stop changing filters, If a piece of equipment working in a coal mine takes 100 hours to prime it's filters so I can only guess how long a car would take. Don't change based on time or distance traveled, install a restriction indicator and change when the indicator show a large enough restriction.

* Power loss due to blocked filters is a little bit of an urban legend. Tests run by Cummins showed that even the most sensitive operator will not be able to notice a loss of power until it exceeds 10-11%, a filter that has just trigged a restriction indicator will account for about 5% max loss of power. So basically any power increase noticed after changing a filter is probably in your head.

* Don't tap filters (even gently) to clean them, this can crack the sealant between the paper element and the filter end caps. Clean only with LOW pressure air, remember you don't want to dislodge the dust that is blocking the large holes. Also remember that the filter isn't as dirty as you think it is.

* Make sure your airbox seals are in good shape. Air will always take the path of least resistance, Your engine will draw massive amounts of air through the tiniest of gaps, size doesn't matter the air speed through the gap will increase resulting in unfiltered air entering your engine.

* A large engine (that being 40 litres capacity and up) will only require to draw half a cup (125 Grams)of dust through it's entire life before it is "dusted" and will require replacement, So I can only guess at how much a car engine could tolerate.

Hope I have helped save people a few bucks, both on air filters and engines.

 

[67azcruizr]

* A clean air filter doesn't catch dirt, it takes time for the holes in the filter media to become blocked by larger pieces of dust.

I would agree with this statement with the exception that the media/properties/ of the filter will vary as to the initial size of the passable debris. An expensive filter with support this theory without having to be "blocked by larger pieces of dust".

a large machine working under the most extreme conditions in a coal mine will take over 100 Hours before it's filters are blocked enough to become effective.

this statement to me just tells me that the filter being considered is actually INeffective.

* A quality paper element filter will hold nearly twice it's weight in dust before it is blocked.

OK, but why

* Power loss due to blocked filters is a little bit of an urban legend.

I haven't heard as much talk about power loss as I have the lack of efficiency. When the filter on a carbureted engine becomes clogged beyond it's limits, it will increase fuel consumption just as a choked carburetor would.

* A large engine (that being 40 litres capacity and up) will only require to draw half a cup (125 Grams)of dust through it's entire life before it is "dusted" and will require replacement, So I can only guess at how much a car engine could tolerate.

by your figures aproximately 12 grams of dust and the engine is toast?

how much "dust" do you think passes through these ineffective filters before they reach a state to where they become effective?

I would think it would be a wise choice to get a high end filter that captures a large percentage of the unwanted debris initially, then proceed with a regular maintenance/cleaning schedule.

A GOOD air filter is usually not needed to be replaced, simply cleaned.

 

[grant5127]

The only part I agree with is the integrity of the air box and maybe some excessive tapping on the filter could cause leakage.... the rest is bunk!

 

[donny paradise]

So BEE-JAY42, you need to alert all of the major manufacturers to stop wasting $$ on new filters on all new vehicles and just install some good old used ones what the hell?

 

[fieldsken1]

ha ha ha

why put one on at all just duck tape it up now nothing passes just like a clogged air filter

 

[BEE-JAY42]

I didn't post for an argument, These are facts presented to be by a technical representive from the donaldson company, the largest producer of air filters in the world, the brand which every major machinery producer fits as standard from factory.

These are not opinions of mine, these are facts presented by donaldson, take from them what you will. I will note however that no one has as yet produced a FACT that has disproven anything that donaldson said.

 

[antFJ]

it is interesting information it is just that there are too many variables when it comes to air filters... the information this company could have very well been valid but i'm not sure comparing vehicles' air filters to machines in coal mines' filters is a reasonable comparison - do they even use the same type of filters..

would love to see some of their sources/data/evidence that supports their information, anyone can state a fact but it is much more effective if there is something to back it up and build credibility - if you know of their website or an article.. post it up!

 

[tasnolan]

if you know of their website or an article.. post it up!

Donaldson Company, Inc. - Global Home Page
You will find they are a well respected multi-national company.

The post was someone passing on information they had been given and wanted to pass on for everyone's benefit. Read it and let everyone know why you disagree (if you do), stop attacking someone making the effort.

 

[3pits]

x2, what tasnolan said, the guy is trying to pass along knowledge and you guys are breaking his balls,,, it is like calling a dog then hitting them when they come,,,

sorry bee-jay not saying you are a dog,, welcome to the site,,,

 

[65swb45]

Donaldson Company, Inc. - Global Home Page
You will find they are a well respected multi-national company.

The post was someone passing on information they had been given and wanted to pass on for everyone's benefit. Read it and let everyone know why you disagree (if you do), stop attacking someone making the effort.

IOW, focus on the message, not the messenger.

It's all theoretical until someone starts throwing around actual micron numbers!

 

[Trollhole]

Caterpillar: Products>Parts>Filters>Air Filters>Air Filter Service Indicator

K&N Filter Minder

How Filter Minder Works, Automobile Parts, Air Filter, Fuel Monitor, Car Accessories, Engineered Products


While some may change air filters to often. I don't think we are killing our engines. 200k for an f or 2f is easy with or without a clogged or new air filter.

I think if someone is changing their air filter to much they are probably doing other things at the same time that actually help prolong engine life. Find me someone who changes the air filter to much and I'll show you someone who changes their oil, plugs, and keeps their engine in order. Find me someone who has a clogged or really dirty filter and I'll show you someone who could give a rats ass about maint.


I'll take the anal filter guy anytime.

 

[FJFOOL]

They make anal filters?

 

[KOOTENAY KRUZER]

Any filter is a compromise between contaminating particulate size and flow of the fluid being filtered. The dirtier the filter the smaller the size of particles that will pass through it and the smaller the volume of fluid that will pass through it. As long as the filter will pass more fluid (air in the case of an air filter) than your engine requires, the dirtier it is the better. Eventually, however, it will restrict the fluid flow to the point where it is restricting the performance of the engine.

 

[malcb]

Caterpillar: Products>Parts>Filters>Air Filters>Air Filter Service Indicator

We use CAT engines and have those, electronic servic tool also lets us look a inlet restriction as well as differential pressure across the oil and fuel filters.

I have an issue with changing air filters when not required but some customers require it as an yearly service item on standby generation. Engines that do less the 20 hours per year - $400+ dollars a engine, money down the drain.

Interesting thing on engines that do run, most of what the pick up is soot from the engine, but then these are stationary engines normally not in dusty enviroments.

 

[grant5127]

Interesting thing on engines that do run, most of what the pick up is soot from the engine, but then these are stationary engines normally not in dusty enviroments.

So, are these that collect soot running a aspirator of some sort??

 

[Coolerman]

When I was into Nissan's instead of Cruisers, the big rage was to buy the K&N filter for the stock air box and reap all the POWER benefits... Yeah... Uh huh... what we actually got was a malfunctioning MAF. The oil from the filter contaminated the wires on the sensor causing issues with the computer.

The most telling thing about the K&N though was this: When I replaced the OEM paper filter (which is also oiled BTW) there was NO dirt in the box or in the air tube feeding the engine. After running the K&N for about 6 months I noticed that there was a dirty oily film all over the inside of the box and inside the air tube. The K&N was allowing not only oil, but LOTS of dust past itself, and into the engine. I pulled the filter out, cleaned the box and air tube, and went back to an OEM filter. The box and air tube are still clean to this day.

The OEM has done it's home work on filters. Stick with stock and change it when they say and you'll be fine.

 

[fjwagon]

I'm guilty of tapping and blowing air on my air filters periodicly and I only replace them as needed(2-3 yrs. sometimes longer). Just the other day, saw the price of the K&N filter and could not imagine paying the price they were asking for. I think will stick with a WIX air filter I have been using all along.

 

[malcb]

So, are these that collect soot running a aspirator of some sort??

Don't quite understand the question. Worst instance is a CAT 3512, 1600KVA Generator, that has frequent starts, at 250 hours the air filters were still in spec but dirty, 200+ starts in 250 hours running.

I think part of the problem is the turbos are right next to the air intakes and there is an expansion coupling between the turbo and the exhaust outlet stack. The couplings uses a labyrinth type seal system, I think that leaks a little until hot.

 

[jimhendrixx]

Weird!

 

[Mtrunner]

Is anyone else intrigued that a filter maker would go to all the effort and travel to train people to NOT change their filter? That's not the typical attitude from a company that makes disposable products.