Air Filter vacuum reading

[Archive]

Just wondered if anyone ever gets a reading on the filter minder? I have 20,000 miles on my original filter and the gauge has never moved. I would be more comfortable if there were a reading which increased as the mileage increased.

p. s. I was going to wait until I get some reading before I change my filter, but am going to change it today just for
insurance. My John Deer tractor has that
same gauge and it indeed reads after a month of messing in the dust - but it is REALLY dirty.

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99' Stock Quad 4x4 AT LB 3. 54 18K Miles.
Did have both 18-11-99 & 18-08-99 TSB's performed.
Pull a 7000# TT over, around and thru the Cascades

[This message has been edited by tlippy (edited 09-21-1999). ]

[This message has been edited by tlippy (edited 09-21-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

No one I know has ever seen a reading, which makes it seem as if the spring is too stiff. Maybe we should try a lighter spring and see if we can make the minder actually do something. It appears to be identical to the ones on my big CAT gensets (not counting for changes in spring calibration), these move after awhile but the volume of air going through 12 to 14 litres of engine is a bit more than a B5. 9..... John H.

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'99 White Sport 4x4 QC SB, 5spd. w/GV od, 4. 10, American Racing SilverAtlas mags & stainless hubs w/Dunlop 285/75R16's, CMI 3000 cap, Mopar fender flares, Linex, Luverne stainless boards, Q-logic bass, Painless Wiring, BriteBox and soon Ted J. 's 4" exhaust w/US Gear 4" Decellerator.

 

[Archive]

Mine worked with the stock filter, it didn't move much but it did move. Changed in a new filter and the gauge hasn't moved yet.

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1998 2500HD,reg cab,4x4,auto,4. 10LSD,ISB,trailer tow, boss v-plow,pyro,boost,trans temp gauges,up graded sound system,265/75/16 tires,KC backup lights,husky floor mats, SS nerf bars,,forest green and driftwood. Ironwood, Michigan

 

[Archive]

Mine did not move for about 25K miles on the stock filter, i checked it every week, then one week it moved half way, new filter installed, reset and it was fine. the old filter was dirty but not extremely so. Since then i have installed an AMSOIL filter, and just had the tube off the turbo again with no dust or anything in the tube after 5k miles.

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95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others & AMSoilman.

 

[Archive]

Mine did not move for about 25K miles on the stock filter, i checked it every week, then one week it moved half way, new filter installed, reset and it was fine. the old filter was dirty but not extremely so. Since then i have installed an AMSOIL filter, and just had the tube off the turbo again with no dust or anything in the tube after 5k miles.

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95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others & AMSoilman.

 

[Archive]

My Filter Minder never moved either. Even when the air filter seemed to be getting dirty. So I took off the cover of the air box,with the filter minder still attached, brought it inside and stuck the nozzle of the shop Vac to the filter Minder. Yup it works fine..... ;-)

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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4, XLerator airfilter,Optima red top batteries,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Diamond Blue 9004 Headlight Bulbs (65 watts low 100 watts high),Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)

 

[Archive]

Does anyone know how much reduction in manifold boost would be representative of a dirty air filter? Seems like it might be a better indicator that your filter needs replacement than the "Filter minder" and another good reason to have a boost gauge. Just curious.
Thanks,

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Frank Dziurda
Carson City, Nevada
'99. 5 2500 4X4 6-Speed Quad Cab LWB 3. 54 LSD

 

[Archive]

Hey Rammers,

The Filter Minder SUCKS. It's place is in the trash can in my shop. I had 33K on my truck, and the Minder said "100% clean. " THat was a load of crap. When I pulled the filter, it was BLACK, and clogged with junk. DO NOT pay any anntention to the Filter Minder. Check it "manually. "

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Evan A. Beck
98. 5 2500, 4x2, RC, ISB, A/T, 3. 54 LSD, Forest Green/Driftwood, 39,639 miles
4" Exhaust, Jacobs E-Brake, K&N Filter, Auto-Meter Ultra Lite boost & pyro, turbo silencer ring removed, plus many other cosmetic modifications




[This message has been edited by Evan A. Beck (edited 09-22-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Filter minders are fiction. I did the "Mk1 eyeball" check on my filter at 30K, it was black and cruddy. The filter minder indicated 100%. Filters are cheap (consider what is down stream of them) and easily replaced.

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98. 5 Red 2500, 5 spd, 3. 54, geno's muffler eliminator

 

[Archive]

The first time my filter minder moved (and I mean move -- all the way down) was when I was plowing and had the fenders and bumper packed with ice and snow - and the truck was getting so little air it stalled (which reminds me, I need to drill some holes in the airbox before plow season so that doesn't happen again)!

With a paper filter pulling trailer through the rockies it 'minder read 50% restricted (the filter was new -- the engine just wanted more air). I put my K&N back in and the minder hadn't moved since until...

I put in the PowerMax1, when I go full throttle the 'minder drops down to the "33% restricted" reading. Which to me means I need to give the engine more air. Not surprising at 32lbs of boost.

My feeble understanding of the 'minder is it likely measures vacuum -- i. e. the engine trying to draw more air then it's getting fed through the filter. So if you don't work the truck very hard that condition will likely almost never exist -- no matter how dirty the filter. If you do work the engine -- ask for lots of air -- it'll see some action.




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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 4" Exhaust elbow down, PowerMax1
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

[Archive]

After reading the responses I figured it would be ok to add my 2 cents. I tested my filter minder by sliding a piece of formica at the input of the stock box. Filter minder gadget didn't move, BUT, I sure heard air being sucked thru the filter seal area. I'm using the Fleetguard filter from Geno's. Always knew the seal was to thin, just like the K&N thats back in the garage. I feel the $29 Mopar is the only filter actually designed to fit the box. Seal is made of thick soft foam. Anyway, the truck idled ok, when I pushed on the pedal, the restriction was obvious and the filter minder pulled way down. My conclusion, the minder doesn't care how dirty or crappy the air filter looks, only "minds" when a vacuum is present created by a restricted flow. By constantly checking the filter for looks, all I do is break the seal which is best left undisturbed.

 

[Archive]

I second that Ron!!! the less you open up the air box the less problems you will have. The filter minder will indeed tell you when you the engine wants more air then it can pull by the filter. It is the same as engine oil. Black looking oil has little to do with its ablility to lubricate and do its job. An truck running empty (no pulling) in "normal" highway driving might go 100k before the filter has enough blockage to retrict air movement. The same truck pulled hard will filter 10 or 20 or 50 times more air though the box for a givin amount of miles. Thus reaching a restriction sooner. The requirements and responses of these engines in a truck that is never pulled vs one that is pulled hard are really different. One can start to see the effect by turning up the power but in an empty truck the use of this new power is for a very small percentage of time if run empty. Compare this to a transport driver pulling a 40' "wedge" car hauler day in and day out and doing 100K every 6 months (not for me). Now this will push things to the limit. Those that live by or drive by the area around Elkhart IN will appreciate lots of hard working Dodge Cummins.

The Air box is not a bad design. In a stock truck and most turned up trucks it is more than adequate to get the most out of the engine for 98% of the use. The filter minder does work and have a purpose.

jjw
ND

 

[Archive]

AHA!!!

Solution? REMOVE filter box!!!

#ad




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Evan A. Beck

98. 5 2500, 4x2, RC, ISB, A/T, SLT, 3. 54 LSD, Trailer tow, Aux. suspension, Forest Green/Driftwood, 39,714 miles, 9/22/99

4" Exhaust w/ 5" chrome tip, Jacobs E-Brake, K&N Filter (Scotty style), Auto-Meter Ultra Lite boost & pyro, turbo silencer ring removed, OEM foglamps, OEM 1-ton tailgate marker lamps, Sylvania Cool Blue® 9004 headlamp bulbs, halogen backup bulbs, Husky diamond plate toolbox, Line-X spray-in bedliner, plus other cosmetic modifications

"I'd Rather be RAMMIN' than STROKIN'"

 

[Archive]

Funny you should mention the filter gauge. I changed my TPS today, and while under the hood looked at the minder gauge. It has never moved in 69K miles. Whats worse, after studying it, I could not figure out how you read it!! I pushed the reset button to se if there was any change, and saw none. How do you read the gauge??

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1995 2500 Auto 4X4 Ext Cab, Sun Coast torque converter, Trans Go shift kit,Jacobs E brake,BD Auto Lok,Prime Lok fuel filter relocate, Boost/EGT and transmission fluid temp gauges, and Mag-Hytec transmission pan/rear end covers

 

[Archive]

OK Evan/Scotty

I think I am going to get on the KN bandwagon, Scotty system style. I was looking at Scott's site again, you have a transition in there don't you guys? What are the size differences and where might the transition be available. I am huge into hp, and the stock airbox can't be
designed for the amount of air I require.
I think I have seen a post where Scott had a new part number for the newly engineered "Scotty system" KN filter. What was the the change you made Evan?

Anybody ever hear of a nitrous system on a diesel? How close would that be to grenade'n the Cummins?


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98. 5,24v,3/4 ton,2wd,lsd,5sp
blue box hp enhancement

 

[Archive]

HVAC,

The filter Scott was using requred him to use a 3" to 4" ABS pipe adapter. THe filter he had used a 3" opening. THe one I am using has a 4" opening. The way I see it, if 3" is good, 4" is better...

The 3" opening has about a 22. 18 sq. in. opening...

The 4" opening has about a 39. 43 sq. in. opening...

That's about a 77% increase in cross-sectional area... I like the sound of that!!! #ad
Also applies to exhaust system too... 3" to 4"

The K&N filter I installed is the RE-0880, which is a 14" long conical-style with a 4" opening. Fits perfectly in the hose from the turbo without the need for adapters.

Do this mod to your rig, you'll absolutely LOVE the results... better sound especially!!! #ad






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Evan A. Beck

98. 5 2500, 4x2, RC, ISB, A/T, SLT, 3. 54 LSD, Trailer tow, Aux. suspension, Forest Green/Driftwood, 39,714 miles, 9/22/99

4" Exhaust w/ 5" chrome tip, Jacobs E-Brake, K&N Filter (Scotty style), Auto-Meter Ultra Lite boost & pyro, turbo silencer ring removed, OEM foglamps, OEM 1-ton tailgate marker lamps, Sylvania Cool Blue® 9004 headlamp bulbs, halogen backup bulbs, Husky diamond plate toolbox, Line-X spray-in bedliner, plus other cosmetic modifications

"I'd Rather be RAMMIN' than STROKIN'"

 

[Archive]

Thanks to Evan I have the refined system too. I do have to say that I did this modification at my own risk and take no responsibility for anybodies install or any possible problems. I highly doubt there would be a problem since I have had this type of filter on for a year now. However, I just want to cover my butt. DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER

Wee lil Scotty
Slammin' n Rammin'


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Lift it, flip it or...
RAMIT!

 

[Archive]

hvac, speaking of nitrous, there was discussion on the dorf site about LPG kits some of the 'Stroker folks use on their rigs. Supposedly enhances complete combusion of diesel fuel in the cylinder with a little propane to go along with it, adds quite a bit of power. They also said a little too much could make 'er blow. Doesn't sound like an ideal route to take for big HP gains.

 

[Archive]

With regaurds to the Improved scotty air system'

What I was looking at was to get rid of the hose completely!!

Clamp a cone right to the turbo!!!

There MIGHT be enough room between the back of the altenator and turbo inlet to do it...

I think this would be the way to go!!

Anybody tried it already??

Seeing those under the hood picture of the "Twin Turbo" at the TDR Rally pics. . got me thinking!!!

Larry


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'99 2500 C. C. SLT,4X4, Auto, SWB, Forest Gr. /Driftwood, Tow Pkg. , Smittybilt S. S. Nerf Bars, Factory Tow Hooks, K&N, Mag-Hytech transmission, Dodge 3 Pc. Bug-Flector, 7 7/8 coats of wax. . Yes Sir That's My Baby!!

 

[Archive]

What happens under the hood when it rains ?, or you drive over water on the road ?. I doubt that a K&N can keep water out of the turbo if you mount it in such a manner. If coated with enough water, it will pull water through. RonL