Air filter Question

[RVTRKN]

My brother can not access TDR even though I set up the subscription when he bought my truck. (look at sig) He is going on a long trip and checked his air filter even though the Filter Minder showed green. When he inspected the filter, he says it is black and appears to have oil on it. Is this normal?



The truck has had all recommended services performed by Dodge so I never saw what they look like and could not answer his question. He is reading this thread for posts. When he can straiten out the reason for not being able to post he will respond later.

 

[AH64ID]

That is not normal. What side was it black on?

 

[RVTRKN]

The air entering side of the filter is black with an oily texture. And the side the air is leaving is brown in color. (he is color blind)





Checker Auto Parts has recommended a Wix filter, and he needs to order it at $35. 00 a pop. What is a good brand of filter that can handle the Diesel ratings other than a D/C filter?

 

[AH64ID]

There are only 2 filters I would put on my truck. The Amsoil nanofiber EAA189, or the OEM 4" pleat.

Does the airbox have a home depot CAI? Or other aux air source?

 

[HBarlow]

Black on the intake side of a Cummins air filter is completely normal. The intake is taking in oily film from ventilating the crankcase.

Tell your brother if the air filter is not coated with bugs, dirt, dust, foreign material only a black film to ignore it. It's not dirty.

 

[RVTRKN]

He should be reading this so need to tell him. I don't think there is an issue myself but I don't know for sure and don't want to give bad advise. When he gets a chance to find out why he cant post here, and straitens it out, he can respond directly.



I just had a conversation with a friend, and he doesn't think its a good idea to wait until the Filter Minder shows its time. I personally like it, and when I wanted my air filter changed due to the Filter Minder indicating the need to change, I never had my tech complain it was so dirty that I was damaging something. And trust me, he would have. My friend states that he cleans his every oil change, (K&N) but I would never use an after market type filter.

 

[Wingate]

The air entering side of the filter is black with an oily texture. And the side the air is leaving is brown in color. (he is color blind)





Checker Auto Parts has recommended a Wix filter, and he needs to order it at $35. 00 a pop. What is a good brand of filter that can handle the Diesel ratings other than a D/C filter?

$35 is way too much for a stock type filter. Go to the local heavy truck dealer that sells Fleetguard products and buy the Fleetguard filter. Seems like I gave $12 for the last one I bought. It comes with the pre-filter on it. AF26106 is the part number.

 

[rbattelle]

The intake is taking in oily film from ventilating the crankcase.

I don't see how - the crank vent is on the opposite side of the engine, pointed down.



Nevertheless, my rule has always been that a filter that is discolored or dirty on the "clean" side (engine side) is BAD.



My filter change interval is 15k miles. I ONCE tried to wait for the filter minder, and at 27k the clean side of the filter was dirty and that was that. My filter minder has never moved in 7 years, 82k miles.



Ryan

 

[HBarlow]

Ryan,

You may be correct. I'm thinking ISB6. 7. I don't remember now how the '06 ISB5. 9 vented the crankcase but I think the ISB6. 7 vents to the intake.

My filters always show black coloration very soon after installing a fresh one. Change intervals depend mostly on operating environment so its hard to prescribe a specific "one size fits all" filter change interval.

If the filter is blackened but not coated with foreign material I don't consider it dirty but working efficiently.

 

[rbattelle]

You may be correct. I'm thinking ISB6. 7. I don't remember now how the '06 ISB5. 9 vented the crankcase but I think the ISB6. 7 vents to the intake.

Oh yeah, now I remember! I don't spend enough time in the 6. 7 forum, I guess.



Ryan

 

[AH64ID]

Ryan,



You may be correct. I'm thinking ISB6. 7. I don't remember now how the '06 ISB5. 9 vented the crankcase but I think the ISB6. 7 vents to the intake.



My filters always show black coloration very soon after installing a fresh one. Change intervals depend mostly on operating environment so its hard to prescribe a specific "one size fits all" filter change interval.



If the filter is blackened but not coated with foreign material I don't consider it dirty but working efficiently.

Yes that is a 6. 7 thing. The 5. 9 should not have an oily air filter, unless its something its pulling from the ambient air. . Then you have to determine if its the truck putting it into the ambient air, or some 3rd party.



If the air box is 100% stock I would guess it came from a 3rd party source at some point, while interesting, I wouldn't worry about it unless the new filter has the same thing happen.

 

[RVTRKN]

Surprize, the filter Dodge installed is the exact same filter by Wix per my brother. He had purchased the filter from Checker auto ($30. 00) and when he compared them they were the same filters. He stated that Amsoil are supplied by Wix. ?????????????? He is going to bring me both filters next week and then I can see for myself, also I'll inquire at my Dodge dealer.

 

[AH64ID]

Amsoil filters are made by Donaldson, but Amsoil sells Wix as a cheap line.