Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Air filter problem

[mimprevento]

Took Big Green into Cummins Atlantic for some Premium Blue Extreme and a coolant flush and fill with Fleetguard- also had them plug into INSITE- two techs brought me over and showed me where the BHAF mouth had deformed and there was a compromise of the intake hose to the turbo. The hose was dirty inside and there was some dirt or film on the turbo- they said that the BHAF had flatted in the pleats at some places and that I was not getting any benefits. They blamed this on the heat and humidity. They said that it was probable that the engine had lunched some dirt and that the upper rings were very sensitive to this. I have had no loss of power or mileage and have only added 1/2 quart of oil in 24k miles. I have had five oil and filter changes with Premium Blue 15w-40 dino and just went to the Extreme 5w-40 synthetic. I sent a sample from there to the Fleetguard/Monitor lab for analysis and am awaiting the results. I put stock box with old K &N back in and may well just use the OEM filter because I am concerned. DC knew I had the BHAF and didn't flinch when I brought it there for service- the tech liked it. Am I looking at damage?The truck runs fine- no faults on the INSITE.

 

[illflem]

I don't quite understand "flatted in the pleats ". Can you explain?

 

[jwilliams3]

Just remember,

when you start adding non factory/aftermarket items to your engine and truck,

that you must check for their state of wellness and not just forget about them or your engine will pay the price.



Keep the hose connections tight!

How many miles with the BHAF?



--Justin

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Proper Installation is Important

The "neck" on the BHAF needs reenforcement before clamping the intake airhose. A short section of 4" metal tubing should be press fit inside the BHAF. Some folks use pcv pipe but I prefer the metal for a couple of reasons. The pleats will flatten if the filter is left to bounce around on the fender. A fastening system (preferred) or media under the filter to cushion the vibration will correct the flatting. A heat shield will enhance any open filter or modified air box, particularly if the truck spends a lot of time in city traffic or idling. Carefull installation is needed . Larry

 

[mimprevento]

BHAF

The normally sharp edges of the filter where the paper has its folds was flattened out- if you looked at a cross section instead of a inverted "v" the point of the "v" was flat- not sure why. The BHAF has been on for 10-12k miles I have to check- the deformation is recent and related to heat/melting over the summer. Time will tell I guess but it is back to stock for sure.

 

[illflem]

So the BHAF types with the steel mesh over the outside may be a better choice.

 

[mimprevento]

BHAF

I bought the Fleetguard BHAF from Cummins Atlantic- it has the mesh but apparently a combination of heat and being wedged under the hood padding flattened it out. There was no deformation of the cylinder itself so it wasn't being mashed I think it may be that moisture and humidity rearranged and altered the pleating. I do know that these normally go in a housing so being exposed even in a Mallory type mount that I purchased through here it could get compromised. The housing at the neck actually deformed from melting which is what is alarming and that led to the compromise in the hose- just hope enough didn't get through to negate all the preventative maintenance I have tried to do.

 

[moparguy]

OK, I'm confused.

Did the filter neck deform from lack of a stiffener, that would seem to be the case, I can't imagine how heat could cause a problem unless it actually melted the plastic neck.



I've ran a BHAF, both the Napa and Fleetguard since July of 2001 with no problem. I have had a stiffener in the neck of the filter to prevent any deformation that could cause a problem and to date have had zero problems.



It doesn't get much hotter or humid than Arkansas, and I do work my truck hard. Until I cobbled up a stainless housing 3 months ago, I ran without a heat shield with no apparent heat related issues over the past 15 months.



Just wondering.





RJR

 

[mimprevento]

BHAF

Both the inlet hose and the actual neck of the BHAF melted at one point- I didn't use a stiffener but did use the Mallory mount which doesn't shield much heat-wise- the mouth of the BHAF is flattened at one point and the inlet hose "warped"- I know I had a good seal at install and the fault was on the bottom I guess where I couldn't tell. I cinched it down with the zip tie provided and it didn't seem to move. It could have been avoided with a stiffener- there was some debate on that when I read the BHAF threads and some indicated it wasn't necessary. I guess properly fitted with a stiffener it would help but that might not stop the flattening that spread out around many of the outside pleats despite the mesh. This was the good Fleetguard unit. I am thinking that it would move up and may have been compressed some by the hood pad. The Cummins techs dripped with hatred for this mod and told me I was ruining my engine but I still think it can be a good mod if it is properly installed and watched. I told them it dropped EGT's according to some but they said so what there is no forced air and the ambient air was too hot. Some death wobbles and bouncing around the beach some may have been too much for it.

 

[Big White Beast]

No problems now.......

I ran for a long time without a stiffener. On the last cleaning though (Prefilter) I noticed it was deforming. I used a piece of 4" exhaust pipe I had to stiffen it. Works great and no restriction.



As far as the mesh & pleats. I have had it in for over a year now with nothing holding it down but gravity. It actually rests on one of the old air box bolts and has never dented or flattened out any pleats.



Garrett

 

[Pit Bull]

Bottom line you tried to do something for your truck to provide more protection than the stock setup and you ended up doing more potential damage then the stock setup. Remember no good deed goes unpunished, I guess that goes for our trucks as well