When to replace air filter?

[Blownaway]

What do you guys think about the drop in aftermarket filters, are they a waste of money, Should I just replace the whole set-up. I like the stock appearance of an airbox if I could get the flow out of it.

 

[Tony T.]

rbattelle: Mine looked the same as yours at a little over 12,000 miles. Truck still ran great, filter just looked scary. I wonder why the orginal filter does not come with the foam pre-filter like the replacment filter and what's the deal with one made in Mexico, and one in the UK. I noticed that also when changing them out. Blownaway: I been looking at the article in issue 42 TDR magazine Ram Air filter---Scotty III for the 03/04 I think it use's a AFE filter if I not mistaken. It's not a factory box replacement though. Was wondering if it was a throw away filter, and if they would stand behind a warranty if any engine problems developed from using such a filter, I would like a throw away instead of the hassle of having to clean it. May just stick with the stock one after all.

 

[Blownaway]

Do the stock ones flow enough for best mileage and power?

 

[Blownaway]

Sounds like a dumb question but I was still wondering if there would be much of a diff. between stock and a drop in aftermarket filter in mileage and performance.

 

[Tony T.]

I don't think you would see any enormous increase in hp or mileage----like 5 or 6 mpg or 50 more hp. I believe maybe . 5 to 1 mpg more if any at all. It may be a physiological thing IMO. I believe driving habits (below 2000 rpms) will have alot to do with your mileage, along with weather conditions, and the terrain in order to get the best mileage. As far as bombing one for hp I'm not into that, Mine has plenty of hp for what I need it for. My opinion was these trucks were designed to work, and not drag race. JMHO!

 

[Blownaway]

Mileage is also the most important to me.

 

[diesel DOG]

My filter minder never moved after 37,000 I guess I depended on it and it is a piece of junk. I have them on heavy equipment with Donaldson filters and they work. When I put the new filter in the truck was faster and better mileage. Every two oil changes or 15,000 they will be dumped.

 

[Tony T.]

Checking Stock Filter

Bringing this thread alive again I have since had the new filter minder installed last December, with a new air filter installed also. The new filter minder unlike the orginal old one that came on the truck new has not budged one bit. A couple of months ago I was curious to check the air filter an tube for any dirt. Now air filter did'nt look that bad at the time (slightly dirty) I checked an I found no dust accumalation in the tube checking with a slightly damp cloth. Ok question has anyone checking their 2nd or 3rd filter and finding it still to be as nasty, oily as the first filter that most was changing out around 10k to 15K miles. I am still hard headed to believe or relie on the filter minder to say when to change air filter. Or is most just simpely changing it out every 6 to 12 months depending on mileage regardless what the owners manual says.





Tony

 

[rbattelle]

Tony,

Well, I am still on the filter I replaced at 15101 miles, 448 hours, 21 December 2003. I now have 35100 miles, 1006 hours, and the filter minder has not budged. Clean side of the filter still looks clean, haven't actually pulled it out of there to see what the dirty side looks like. But, I did read this study and this thread about it . After all that reading, I'm convinced that either the stock paper filter or a BHAF is the best way to go as far as filtration is concerned, and also that I should wait for the filter minder to move before changing filters. So, 20000 miles later here I am still waiting for that minder to move!

-Ryan

 

[rbattelle]

After 26,656 miles and 758 engine hours I replaced another air filter. The minder never so much as thought about moving. The dirty side of the filter was dirty, and the clean side was "darkened", which tells me the filter was just about full to capacity.



I think 26k is way too long. This one I think I'll replace at 15k.



-Ryan

 

[Gypsyman]

Did anyone notice where the air intake is coming from on these 3rd gens????



We're getting air from the right front wheel opening/bumper interface. All that road grime, and front brake dust is getting up to the filter.



So... . I'm wondering if the AFE kit will fix this.



Chris

Punch a 3" or 4" hole in the bottom of the box. You'll be amazed how much longer the filter will stay clean. Doubled my change intervals and dropped the egt's a small amount. Win/Win low buck solution.



Richard

 

[DocDetonancour]

After reading all these posts, why would we pay $300 for the AFE? Anyone have good information on a mpg/power increase with the AFE? thanks, doc

 

[RankRam]

Punch a 3" or 4" hole in the bottom of the box. You'll be amazed how much longer the filter will stay clean. Doubled my change intervals and dropped the egt's a small amount. Win/Win low buck solution.



Richard

Good advice Gypsyman!



I have done the same thing with both my 03 and 05 Rams.

 

[Tony T.]

My air filter thats in now has roughly 13+K miles on it. This is crazy to me on the filter minder, it has not moved a bit either, my original filter minder stayed on 35% even with a new clean filter, and would in time rise as filter got dirty. The new minder I have now is suspose to be the better calibrated one.



So Ryan taking your filter in mind you saying being so dirty and the filter minder not moving, it leds me to believe these's filter minders are junk, and I can not trust what the owners manual is saying JMO. I guess I will just change mine out once a year regardless, there cheap enough to.



At my last oil sample the silicon was 4 and the air filter has been in there a year.



I see Geno's offers the Fleetguard air filter replacement now for the 3G, wonder if it's the same as the Mopar one, I know it's cheaper in price.



Tony

 

[chi440]

"I see Geno's offers the Fleetguard air filter replacement now for the 3G, wonder if it's the same as the Mopar one"



Genos is #1 - I ordered the '421' kit - 4 oil filters - 2 fuel - and 1 air filter. The air filter was 'mopar' the oil and fuel were 'fleetguard stratapore'(cummins premium)



identical to the originals on the truck. .



BTW - a mopar fuel (dealer) filter is a reboxed fleetguard stratapore for $40 +- FWIW



Geno's has my business. .

 

[rbattelle]

FWIW, dodgeparts.com has the mopar filters for $14. 95 plus shipping. I thought that was pretty good.



Tony, I don't think the filter minder is complete junk. What am I saying... yeah, it probably is junk. If the clean side of the filter is dirty, then that minder should have pulled down. Stupid filter minder... last time I pay any heed to that thing! Kinda looks cool, though.



-Ryan

 

[Tony T.]

I can get the Fleetguard air filter for 03-05(AF26106) for $10. 00 bucks and change through a local source. Also the Fleetguard oil and fuel filters at a better price than Geno's with out waiting on shipping. Other wise I would use Geno's for all my filter needs.



I could not get much info on the Fleetguard website on the (AF26106) air filter other than Fleetguard saying all there filters exceed OEM specs.



I'll use it instead of the Mopar if that's the case, just wanted a little more info on it.



Tony

 

[MFenza]

What do you guys think about the drop in aftermarket filters, are they a waste of money, Should I just replace the whole set-up. I like the stock appearance of an airbox if I could get the flow out of it.

I Recomend putting a 4 inch hole in the bottom of your filter box than arut a piece of 4 inch aluminum pipe from the hard ware store that has bend in it and place a small piece of inch screen mesh over the pipe and place a clamp on it and one in the filter box. I have done this on my new truck and put a green air filter or a AFE filter inand the reults are good Matt