one of those out of sight out of mind things

[TFucili]

It's another reason to have a safety element in a canister setup. People disturb the element and don't take the time to remove stray dust around the inlet with a damp cloth, not to mention over-tightening and distorting the element, or losing/damaging the sealing washer under the wing nut, or leaving the element loose. I actually had a customer(a large shopping mall operator)dust down the Yanmar in an 855 Deere within about 50 hours, because their "maintenance guy" couldn't stop fiddling with the filter, and left the wing nut off the element, so the lid was tight, but the element was just dancing around in there. It was the one time I personally denied someone warranty. But the mall operator was a Deere national account, and Deere called me and gave them a complete crate motor AND an updated Donaldson with a safety element. I am all about good will, but stupid people should pay IMHO.

 

[andymac]

Servicing Your Air Filter – to Change or Not to Change?
#ad


A major cause of over-servicing can sometimes be ‘better to be safe than sorry’ where users consider time or odometer readings rather than airflow restriction measurement to be used to determine when to service. In the case of air cleaners, more servicing is not better.

Servicing too frequently prevents the air filter from ever reaching its peak efficiency. In addition, the risk of engine damage increases every time the air filter is removed from the air cleaner housing.


https://www.donaldson.com/en-us/engine/filters/technical-articles/servicing-by-restriction/

Makes sense. When the dust is so thick that you cant see the front of the hood for 3 hours of driving I guess I reach my peak efficiency in about 20 minutes. Have not had engine damage since a pack rat in late 90's. My "better safe than sorry" nonsense has worked well for 3 decades and many dozens of cummins engines in some of the worst environments we can throw at em. I certainly don't know better (just ask my wife) I just know what works for us.

 

[mwilson]

Makes sense. When the dust is so thick that you cant see the front of the hood for 3 hours of driving I guess I reach my peak efficiency in about 20 minutes. Have not had engine damage since a pack rat in late 90's. My "better safe than sorry" nonsense has worked well for 3 decades and many dozens of cummins engines in some of the worst environments we can throw at em. I certainly don't know better (just ask my wife) I just know what works for us.

And if that works for you it's all good.

Our posts above are only trying to point out is that the filter is not plugging as quick as people think they do by a visual inspection.
A dirty air filter (not plugged solid) is far more efficient than a brand spanking new one. They can only manufacture the holes so small so some dirt in the pleats help the filter do a better job catching fine dirt particles.
A restriction gauge is the only way to tell filter condition if one wants maximum lifespan and filtering capabilities from an air cleaner element.

 

[kthaxton]

With the design of the air box however, it would be difficult to introduce dirt by changing the filter....since the clean side is the upper part of the box. You have gravity on your side.

Someone mentioned a while back that by the time you get a service air filter message in our trucks...it's really gone too far already. True? not true?

 

[andymac]

With the design of the air box however, it would be difficult to introduce dirt by changing the filter....since the clean side is the upper part of the box. You have gravity on your side.

Someone mentioned a while back that by the time you get a service air filter message in our trucks...it's really gone too far already. True? not true?

Honestly never knew we had that message on the truck. Learn something new everyday. My best guess is if that light is on, then the filter has over stayed its welcome.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I change my air filter every 15K along with my oil, oil filter and fuel filters. YEA, YEA I am wasting money and not getting the best filtration.

Oil report says I am doing just fine! The comparison numbers are for 6K changes so I am running 2.5 times that.

 

[andymac]

Whats the scoop on K&N filters? I have friends that use them but I do not currently. Do they work well and are they worth the cost? Dont you have to oil them? Good? bad?

 

[mwilson]

With the design of the air box however, it would be difficult to introduce dirt by changing the filter....since the clean side is the upper part of the box. You have gravity on your side.

That's true.....unless you live on a dirt road like I do and the neighbors kid makes his fifth pass by on the side by side and the resulting cloud of dust settles into the open air induction system while you happen to be inside grabbing another beer 'cause you got thirsty taking the old element out.....

But seriously, yes the dirt will drop into the non-filtered side of the housing. Many other set-ups though let the dirt fall in where it should not be...

 

[GrantP]

I bought my 06 used about 6 years ago. Noticed the filter minder was pulling down and popped the top to find the lowest quality 1" pleat air filter that the dealer could've found. I replaced it with a Wix 4" pleat, filter minder never moves even after 6 years and 65k miles. Silicon numbers are good, I'm not touching it.

 

[6V92TA]

Whats the scoop on K&N filters? I have friends that use them but I do not currently. Do they work well and are they worth the cost? Dont you have to oil them? Good? bad?

honestly K@N is just another example of a marketer creating a need and then marketing the solution to that need.. fact that paper filters are better at filtering , easier to service and most likely the same cost over the long haul is lost on many who swallowed K@N's line of marketing... its just like falling for Amsoils clever marketing..

 

[Cummins12V98]

Whats the scoop on K&N filters? I have friends that use them but I do not currently. Do they work well and are they worth the cost? Dont you have to oil them? Good? bad?

For one fill in public signature so we know what you have so we can make an informed answer to your questions.

K&N are NOT good quality, AFE are a better choice. Oil type filters are not good for modern gas or Diesel engines as the oil residue can mess with the sensors.