Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Air Box not sealing?

[WMonroe]

I think that my factory airbox may not be sealing tight because I never get any vacuum reading on the filter minder. I know the filter has been in for about 12,000 miles and the filter minder has never moved. I have a new filter from Geno's. Would the rubber edging on a new filter make a better seal?

The new filter is also just a paper element, it doesn't have the foam "pre-filter" that the one in the truck now does. Is this the wrong filter or did they just stop putting the pre-filter on them.

Thanks

Will

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Unless you're operating in REALLY dusty conditions the flter minder will not trip in 12K or even 24K. If you were sucking unfiltered air you would probably see evidence of it in the intake tube (small dirt particles impacted in the tube where it bends) and by scratches and small dents on the compressor wheel. Overservicing the air filter results in the same thing though... Make sure you keep things spotlessly clean on the filtered side of the air cleaner system. Your cylinder walls will thank you.

Put a good filter in it and forget it until the filter minder trips.



Joe

 

[gcarthel]

One time when I was cleaning my filter I found dirt on the wrong side of the filter. It was the flat k&n filter, and it wasn't airtight on one of the corners. It was my fault for not using the grease that they recommend. Since then if I have any question about it doing its job, I just remove the hose from the airbox to the turbo and Inspect for dust. If you leave a little smear of grease on the inside of this hose it will tell you if your air is clean or not. This can give you peace of mind which can be invaluable. :-laf



Guy C

 

[PettitR]

I have a 96 2500 ram td and I see that my intake to the box is a loose fit. not sure if it is meant to fit tightly and like you my guage never shows a reading!!

 

[LHartman]

Not sure if there is merit to this, but I was told if you wait until the filter minder trips, you're risking doing damage by possibly allowing contaminants into the engine. I just check the filter at regular intervals.



Loren

 

[JJW_ND]

Filter minders do work!

At least on the older mid to late 1990s they work fine. Either a filter restriction (filter plugged) or lots of hp and boost will move the filter minder.



I ran 80k without ever opening the filter cover. The oil samples told me everthing was just fine. When I did check it was caked with 1/2" of gunk, bugs, etc. Silicon levels still very low, only a slight movement in the Filter Minder so no filter restriction.



I think most air filters are changed long before there time. Any of teh oil guazed, foam filters actually filter better as they get some dirt in them.



The less one opens the filter cover up the better.



jjw

ND

 

[Jeff H]

JJW-ND

The Day I brought my 95 home. I noticed a lot of black smoke with normal driving. So I checked the air filter right away. When I got home. I pulled out the air filter. It was the eqivilant of some one dropping it in the mud. All the fins in the filter were plugged. I checked the filter minder. Never dropped a bit. Installed a k/n and black smoke was hard to make. After 5 years my k/n came apart in the corners. I now have a PG7 AFE filter. Working good now.

Noise good. Quiet bad.

 

[DJW]

Of Air Filter Minder not moving. I have 34000 miles on a 2001, I have checked the Air Filter on occasion, as Air Minder has never moved. Was told by the Dealer's Salesman that a partly dirty filter was more efficient. (boy! will that cause a Storm) but he did mention the K&N in a favourable way. ( When the Manufacturer fits one, I'll use it) ( Some are not Happy unless covered in Grease & Oil). I do drive on paved roads, and have driven Coast to Coast twice with only a week or two between trips. I live in Sonoma County California, so perhaps being in proximity to the West Coast, we recieve the Fresh Air before being past on to rest of Country, I will Not be Uncharitable, so will end this dialogue. Rugby a Man's Game. Scrum Down.