Filter Minder......working properly?

[David Wheeler]

The old girl has attained 25K+ miles. The Filter Minder is still in the original position. Can you all give me some kind of idea how many miles you are getting on a stock filter before the Filter Minder starts moving? This engine is completely stock. All responses appreciated



David

 

[KatDiesel]

With 21k on stock filter mine was pulled down to about 35%, but I had the "Hot" PE on for about 15,000 of those miles. Now with DDIII's I can suck it down to 75% at will. (no PE back on yet)



I wouldn't change the filter based on the filter minder, change it whenever you think its dirty.

 

[StephenDelany]

I was wondering the same thing David. I have the K&N filter that fits in the stock box and I've got 30K of mostly happy miles on the Ice Berg and my filter minder hasn't even twitched.

 

[Lurch]

Mine went 50K before it moved. See sig for mods, tow nearly full time. All highway miles.



Lurch

 

[Deezul1]

Mine never moved til 370s and #11 plate and then 1 full throttle run would suck it full travel. Removed the tube between the fender and the air box and it didnt move at all after that.

 

[Fireman Dave]

I checked mine on Sat. It has 21,000 miles and the minder never moved - but the filter is dirty! I ordered one from Genos today. So I guess the minder doesn't work on my truck.

 

[Mac]

Returning from a trip to Alaska, my filter minder started showing 35 % at 31000 miles. I went thru lots of dusty roads.

 

[John Berger]

Mine has never, ever even thought about moving. I have had an Amsoil foam filter on since around 13K miles. The truck now has 60. 5K miles. The filter has been cleaned twice. Once after 25K miles and the last time at the one year period, with less than 25K miles.

 

[JJW_ND]

Is it really dirty?

What we see and call dirty (filter) and what negatively effects the engine are not the same thing. Many of us after turning up the power found we could move the Filter minder. Some can even move the minder with a new filter with a stock airbox and snorkle inplace. No dirty filter there.



On the other hand I had 70k on an Amsoil filter that I NEVER open the air box in 70K miles. Rather then service I just replaced with new. Had several oil samples telling me that it was still doing its job. Filter minder did not move so I knew it was not restricting flow (I can pull the filter minder down with a paper filter). When I removed this filter it was caked with a dust,oil,bug, crud that you could have measure the thickness over the entire surface. Visually, it would have been service or replace at 20 or 30K. In reality it was still working fine at 70K.



I think in many cases, air filters get throw or serviced way before their time. The filter minder will move of the filter is truely causing a restriction! Busting snow banks will cause even a stock truck to move the minder.



Most filters, filter better as they get some buildup.



The filter minder will tell you if if could be hurting power!



Oil analysis will tell you it is still keeping things clean.



Keep the airbox close and just watch the Minder!



jjw

ND

 

[Gizmo 007]

Mine stays at about 35% all the time. Clean filter, no snorkel, I wonder why it does that ?

 

[chuck3]

Filter minders.

I wouldnt hold too much stock in those things, I think they are just there for looks. Chances are if you peg one of those with a stock filter & truck youve gone a way too far. just my 2 cts.

 

[trning]

filter minder

All the filter minder does is measure a pressure differential across the air filter. As the filter does it's job the restriction becomes greater. If you drive a lot in dusty areas the filter will plug faster. The days when you could hol the filter up to the light and check it are gone. If all the seals around the filter are good, then the filter minder is the best guage. If your using an aftermarket filter such as the K&N filter you might not have a good seal. Making the filter minder useless.

 

[David Wheeler]

Many Thanks!

Thanks one and all for your responses and opinions. I'm convinced the filter minder is working properly, I'm just not used to going so long on the same air filter! Must be a throw back from the old days when you changed your air filter just about as frequently as you changed your oil.



JJW_ND kindled a spark of an idea..... I went out and pulled the tube from the input side of the turbo. The fins were quite clean. I would expect to find dirty fins if the filter was letting dirt get by. I believe that's reasonable.



If the concern gets to be too much, I'll just change the darn thing



Once again, thanks to all and the TDR



David

 

[MCherry]

I've had my '01 HO less than a week, and have about 600 miles on it. It is completely stock. I have found the filter minder at about 35% twice. Besides the low miles, I don't see how the filter could be dirty because it's been raining here every day -- I couldn't find a dusty road if I tried.