Air Filter/Restriction Gauge

bhysjulien · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:02 pm

I replaced the stock filter at 9800 miles about a year and a half ago. I have a restriction gauge for the air box and it's just starting to move. I checked the guage before I installed it to make sure it works. My question is, is this a "normal" interval for air filter replacement with the restriction gauge? If it is I've wasted a bunch of money over the years on air filters.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:35 pm

One thing about paper type filters is the fact that the bonding that holds the fibers together gets tired and fails. There are enough varibles in what effects the life of the paper that a PHD dissertation could be written for every different manufacture making air filters.
Variables I can pull of the top of my head include: 1) Heat 2) Humidity 3) type of dirt and dust ,like the alkali dirt in Arizona. 4) Abrasive characteristics of the dust 5) Type of local vegetation, like soybean dust in the Midwest at harvest time or air borne resins from pine trees out west.
I would use your clogged filter indicator as a back up and replace the filter at the recommended interval for that type of filter. If you go to an exotic after market filter, better follow their recommendations.
Personally, I used to use K&N but found too much day light coming through them when I cleaned them and did not want to risk dusting out my engine. Some members like the Amsoil filter, I may buy one after I look at it in person with my own eyes.
When you go to buy a paper filter remove it from the box and look at the paper, if it looks like the bonds holding the fibers together is lousy and falling apart, walk out and get one some place else.

Steve

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:44 pm

Better test would be to nail it to the floor, as in passing someone - if it trips the yellow, time for a new filter - take yours apart, see how 'clean' it is, down in the folds - Diesels pump full displacement of air every two revolutions - gassers (patooie!) pump full displacement only at full WOT, way less at part throttle at idle, 30mph, 50mph, etc

chrispitude · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:54 pm

gmctd wrote:

Better test would be to nail it to the floor, as in passing someone - if it trips the yellow, time for a new filter - take yours apart, see how 'clean' it is, down in the folds - Diesels pump full displacement of air every two revolutions - gassers (patooie!) pump full displacement only at full WOT, way less at part throttle at idle, 30mph, 50mph, etc

Hi gmctd,

This raises an interesting point. To pull maximum airflow in a diesel engine, is it sufficient to simply rev the engine in neutral to 3500-4000rpm, versus actually going out and nailing it in drive? Or maybe this is what you were getting after?

- Chris

CATCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:19 pm

chrispitude wrote:

gmctd wrote:

Better test would be to nail it to the floor, as in passing someone - if it trips the yellow, time for a new filter - take yours apart, see how 'clean' it is, down in the folds - Diesels pump full displacement of air every two revolutions - gassers (patooie!) pump full displacement only at full WOT, way less at part throttle at idle, 30mph, 50mph, etc

Hi gmctd,

This raises an interesting point. To pull maximum airflow in a diesel engine, is it sufficient to simply rev the engine in neutral to 3500-4000rpm, versus actually going out and nailing it in drive? Or maybe this is what you were getting after?

- Chris

Nope, you won't be able to build max boost in neutral, where it's inhaling the most air it can.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:58 pm

CATCRD wrote:

Nope, you won't be able to build max boost in neutral, where it's inhaling the most air it can.

Doh, thinking like a N/A-head. Silly...

- Chris

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:45 pm

Correct - test is to performed under load - Diesel air filters are highly critical to efficient operation, much moreso than those other engines

bhysjulien · **Posted:** Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:37 pm

I changed out the filter just to be safe. The old filter didn't look too bad. The area between the pleats was fairly clean and without any tears or holes. The tops of the pleats, on the air intake side, were covered with oil. I would have taken pics but the batterys in the camera were dead!

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:05 pm

I bought an air restriction gauge, I see it as cheap insurance to protect my engine.
Like any structural component an air filter is most apt to structurally collapse when over loaded with too much vacuum. Pleats increase surface area and act like beams to keep the filter in shape. Having an air restriction gauge will provide a way to make sure the filter is flowing freely and not going to fail.

Steve

fastRob · **Posted:** Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:07 pm

Oh, Great Mighty Characters of Turbo Diesels,

My 3 week old to me CRD is thinking of a filter box ala '02 or so 'cause the old, ome, one was wet.
Who has a Air Restriction Gauge (ARG) indicator recomendation? Is there one there I did not see?
Is the '02 box the best one to get?

R

honey_don't · **Posted:** Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:55 pm

CAT Part number 8N-2694 Cost $26.00

Install requires a $2 threaded nipple from the auto parts store. Gauge goes outside airbox (duh!), nipple inside airbox threaded through a 3/8" hole and into the gauge to hold it in place. edit- stick a o-ring in there between the gauge and box too.

fastRob · **Posted:** Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:15 pm

Honey-don't,

Thanks, just another of the great bits of information here.
Having trouble organizing all the pieces of information to put this rig together.
One day at a time I guess.

R

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:04 pm

Here are my pics of my installation: http://picasaweb.google.com/warp2diesel ... nIndicator

I bought mine from a Kubota Tractor dealer for a little under $25 with the tax.

Steve

gmctd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:09 pm

Standard equip on Dodge Cummins trucks - should be able to find a suitable candidate in yer local boneyard - pic here -
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... 193#265193

Uffe · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:34 pm

Is this in other words a vacuum gauge?

Sorry for my ignorance

gmctd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:39 pm

It is a 'logging' vacuum guage, placed between the air filter and engine intake, or turbo inlet, in this case - sets and holds at several preset levels, indicating air filter status

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:42 pm

Uffe: It works like a latching relay connected to an alarm that needs to be reset by opening the circuit to the relay coil.
If there is enough vacuum to set it off, it tripes and latches to show the RED ring and stays latched until it is reset by pressing the button on top.
Hope this clears it up.

dieseldave · **Posted:** Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:09 am

Did anyone install this air restriction indicator? Napa #4801

I bought one for around $12 (deeply discounted thru my work). I have not installed it yet and am wondering what you all think about it being mounted via a rubber grommet as opposed to being hard mounted. My thought is that might "give" a little if it gets bumped.

http://www.napafilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=4801

Dave

gmctd · **Posted:** Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:24 am

Fairly certain that description sez grommet-mounted - nothing about hard-mounting - anyway, oem is grommetted, prolly for the air-tite sealability - punch yer hole - insert grommet - insert filter-minder - good find - who knew?

10th pic down.............
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... 193#265193

dieseldave · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:26 am

Thanks for your input GMCTD. Yes, this one uses a rubber grommet. I was just wondering if this was an acceptable mounting method. It's reassuring to see that OEMs are using grommets. I'll probably mount it this weekend. I should clarify, when I mentioned 'hard mounted', I didn't mean this unit, I meant the other versions available.

It's good to get a blessing from GMCTD(Guru Mastermind Curing Turbo Diesels)!!!

Dave

Air Filter/Restriction Gauge

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