Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Change oil, check air box - info only

[rweis]

Every 5k time to change the oil, just for kicks checked air box filter - what the heck happened here? only 15k miles.



The bottom of the filter was a MESS. Had a black greasy streak where the air comes in from the hole guide in the fender side wall. The little use guage had not budged. The turbine side of the filter was clean. The turbine hose was clean. Filter had done its job, but definitely needed a change. Only 15k miles.



Don't quite know what to make of it other than keep a MUCH closer eye on it on a MUCH more regular basis.



Think i will make it part of the oil change check.



Bob Weis



When did you last check YOUR air filter?

 

[Sticks]

I have an AFE, so I check it every time I pop the hood.



Back when I was stock, or on every other vehicle, I changed the oil every 3K and always checked the air filter when I did the oil.

 

[Rockcrusher]

After reading your post, I went out and checked my air filter,:--)

Couldnt believe how black and dirty it was. The indicator showed OK, hadn't moved a lick. So much for that piece of junk. only 18,000 miles on the truck. My old 1990 would go 20-25,000 before that big old filter would get dirty.

Does anyone have the fleetgaurd air filter number for the 2002?

MOPAR is outrageous.

 

[Sticks]

Check out Genos

 

[NETim]

ditto

Same here. The filter was just filthy. First time I've looked at it since I brought it home. The truck has 19K on it presently. I don't know how old the filter is but it needed to go.



The air box indicator was happy.



Tim

 

[JJW_ND]

Filter minders do work!

If your air filter gets dirty enough to restrict flow the filter minder will move. If you plug it with snow, the filter minder will move. If you crank up the power enough you can move the filter minder even with a brand new filter.



Looks are not everything when it comes to dirty.



Opening the filter box when a filter minder is present is not a good thing to do... at least not every 3k or 6K. Especially if you have a K&N filter in. This air box design does not seal good.



The last time a ran the factory box with a Amsoil filter in, I ran it 80k miles (all highway) before I opened it. It had gunk over a 1/4" thick. The minder had not moved (mine would move with a paper factory filter) and oil analysis I do every 6K had not shown signs of dirt getting by. I put another one in and ran another 40K and but a BHAF on.



Our new 2003 work trucks pull the filter minder down every time you put the truck under a load. EVERY TIME! even with a sparkling white new filter. Some one is going to make a mint on all the good filters that get change on these babies.



jjw

ND

 

[illflem]

Popping open the airbox is a very bad habit

Sticker on my JD tractor's air filter housing says-

DO NOT OPEN HOUSING UNLESS THE CHECK FILTER LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, TO DO OTHERWISE IS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE. Dodge owners manual says much the same. Trust your filter minder, it's such a simple device it will rarely fail, it's there so you don't have to pop open the box and risk the outer seal not resealing. Only open the box if you intend to replace the filter. Just looking at the filter tells you absolutely nothing, in fact most filters filter better once they're dirty. I go 80k between services on my airbox K&N, it's filthy but the minder hasn't moved, turbo and hoses are spotless.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Trust your Fiter Minder. When I installed my BHAF, I drilled a 3/4" hole in the end of it and installed the Filter Minder off of the original airbox. I really don't feel to inclined to replace the filter untill it begins to show some restriction.



Of course if I were making 600HP I would have an entirely different view of this.