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Old 07-25-2013, 09:28 PM   #1
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Air filter

Hi all. I have a 1998 Safari Sahara with a 300 hp 3126 Cat. My question is how often do I need to change air filter? I don't use it much. About 1000mi a year. The rest of the time it sits I side in a storage area. Thanks in advance for your answers. Irtys Miller
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:46 PM   #2
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There is an air filter monitor probably in the compartment where your fuel filters are located. It indicates when the air filter needs replacement. The position of the monitor remains fixed when the engine is off; you can reset it and start the engine to better understand how it works. When it says replace the filter, do it. The biggest problem with RV diesel engines is owners who argue that "I don't have to do much maintenance because I hardly drive it." Diesels will last a long time if you follow the recommended preventive maintenance schedule. If you don't then all bets are off.
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Old 07-26-2013, 09:54 AM   #3
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I replaced mine with an aftermarket cleanable filter so I just clean it once a year and don't need to worry about filter break down and at not much more money than the factory replacement filter. Problem being the filters break down over time and will either be ineffective or will have parts of the filter go on to the motor, either not a good happening.

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Old 07-26-2013, 10:42 PM   #4
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Thanks for your answers to my question. Irtys Miller
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Old 07-26-2013, 10:50 PM   #5
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Several threads....

There are several current threads discussing cleanable (I.e. K&N and AFE) filters. Read 'em before you do anything.

I replaced my filter about 6 months ago and intend to do it again either when the restriction gauge tells me to or two years. Whichever comes first.
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Old 08-02-2013, 10:51 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Irtys View Post
Hi all. I have a 1998 Safari Sahara with a 300 hp 3126 Cat. My question is how often do I need to change air filter? I don't use it much. About 1000mi a year. The rest of the time it sits I side in a storage area. Thanks in advance for your answers. Irtys Miller
Irtys,

You have received answers of various flavors from users. Now an answer from a retired Fleetguard (Cummins) field engineer. Believe me, I know too much about air filtration.

Given the low usage of your air filter, I would not recommend using the restriction gauge to determine when to change it. Instead due to the aging of the paper media and the resins that bind the fibers together, change the filter at no more than three years regardless of miles or engine hours or even restriction gauge. New air filters have a five year shelf life before they are to be discarded. In this instance, that time is too long.

Drop over to the Cummins forum and read the topic on K&N, AFE cleanable filters. You will read that those 'filters' do not plug up much and are cleanable. They do not plug thus they allow dust to pass through the media that given enough time and quantity, you will find out what it costs to repair an engine for dusting.
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Old 08-04-2013, 04:00 PM   #7
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Many irv2 forum followers are using AFE and K&N filters and with proper servicing of air filter are not having any problems that Gary brings up. There are filter problems with both OEM and after market filters. Use the one that you feel is best for your usage. Tom
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Old 10-07-2013, 04:12 PM   #8
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From what I understand when you have to clean the AFE and K&N filters, it takes about an hour, and you still have to install it again.

My time is worth more to me than the $75.00 to $100.00 it costs for a new filter.

Mine is an ECO enclosed, with the intake at the roofline. I replace it about once a year, sometimes once in 2 years depending on the vacuum gauge monitor.

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Old 10-07-2013, 07:32 PM   #9
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Tom Chelbana: Spike is/was a Fleetguard Filter engineer. He is a wealth of information and many of us really appreciate his FACTUAL info. Where would lay people like us get access to that knowledge? I am sure we all want him to remain in this forum. Your response does not quote any facts and I sure hope he is not upset. Why listen to a few RV'rs when there is a REAL engineer in our midst? Would you go to your Dr. and tell him you will not follow his advice as your neighbours disagree?? You are probably correct that the RV'sr you mentioned have not had problems but how long have they been using those filters? How many miles?
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Old 10-08-2013, 06:54 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moisheh View Post
Tom Chelbana: Spike is/was a Fleetguard Filter engineer. He is a wealth of information and many of us really appreciate his FACTUAL info. Where would lay people like us get access to that knowledge? I am sure we all want him to remain in this forum. Your response does not quote any facts and I sure hope he is not upset. Why listen to a few RV'rs when there is a REAL engineer in our midst? Would you go to your Dr. and tell him you will not follow his advice as your neighbours disagree?? You are probably correct that the RV'sr you mentioned have not had problems but how long have they been using those filters? How many miles?
2X the air filter is one of the cheaper maintenance items. Engines are expensive.
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Old 10-08-2013, 08:39 AM   #11
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From what I understand when you have to clean the AFE and K&N filters, it takes about an hour, and you still have to install it again.
My time is worth more to me than the $75.00 to $100.00 it costs for a new filter.
Mine is an ECO enclosed, with the intake at the roofline. I replace it about once a year, sometimes once in 2 years depending on the vacuum gauge monitor.
Hummmm! I installed a K & N heavy duty filter in my MH 2 1/2 years ago.
Just took the regular time to install as a ECO filter.
It may need cleaning in another 6 years or so. By the 4,000 or less miles I travel every year.

In the same time you are going to change yours from 4 to 8 times at $75 to $100 each time.

The time it takes me to clean the filter for 1 hour every 8 years or so is worth the $300 to $800 saved.
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Old 10-08-2013, 10:26 PM   #12
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Hummmm! I installed a K & N heavy duty filter in my MH 2 1/2 years ago.
Just took the regular time to install as a ECO filter.
It may need cleaning in another 6 years or so. By the 4,000 or less miles I travel every year.
Triker56,

Ever wonder why it takes so long for a K&N or similar to plug up? Any idea at all? You use these to 'save money'. Too bad you do not save enough with them to pay for the damage incurred by ingested dust as it impacts piston rings, cylinder walls, valve guides. Ever wonder why engine companies do not endorse use of this type of air cleaner...maybe they are stupid, huh? NOT. They specify air filtration to meet a minimum overall efficiency which on their best day K&N and the others cannot meet, not even close. Paper air filters typically and easily achieve 99.7xx% overall efficiency in the life of the filter. A report published on K&N plus their own advertising states they are 94% efficient. What does that mean in terms of actual dust stopped vs dust that is allowed to pass? Out of 100 ounces of dust fed into an air cleaner during a capacity and efficiency test, typical paper filters stop 99.7 ounces leaving just 0.3 ounces to pass. The K&N?...stops 94 ounces allowing 6 ounces to pass. How much dust does it take to 'dust' a midrange or HD diesel engine.....5 - 8 ounces depending on engine size. One hundred ounces of dust will be spread over several air cleaner elements meaning it will take time but but it will add up.

K&N type filters really have only one real selling point that is not detrimental....they allow for higher air flow with in the parameters of size. So for those who want more power (more fuel and more air), the fuel part is easy with just some illegal modifications to the fuel system or ECM. The air part is harder as in most motor homes, there is no place for larger air filters to handle larger air flows AND keep the air clean per engine OEM requirements. Enter K&N, now you get more air flow but at a cost in life of your engine.

BTW, be sure to post your motor home VIN number so others can keep looking when you trade yours off.....just somebody else's time bomb.
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Old 10-09-2013, 03:48 AM   #13
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Just had mine replaced in the shop. Paper filter was $120. a lot, but cheap when it comes to a diesel maintenance.
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Old 10-09-2013, 08:47 AM   #14
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Quote:
A report published on K&N plus their own advertising states they are 94% efficient.
K & N published their test on the Heavy Duty Diesel filter is at 96 to 99%.

Their Quote: Our actual air filters when tested generally demonstrate a cumulative filtration efficiency of between 96% and 99%. All this testing we do allows us to guarantee our air filters provide all the protection your vehicle will ever need.
How the K & N test is done
Quote:
The K&N?...stops 94 ounces allowing 6 ounces to pass.
Now by the test they only allow 4 to 1 ounce to pass.
Quote:
How much dust does it take to 'dust' a midrange or HD diesel engine.....5 - 8 ounces depending on engine size. One hundred ounces of dust will be spread over several air cleaner elements meaning it will take time but but it will add up.
I rather know from any test how many miles or years it takes for my ISB to take in 5-8 ounces through the K & N Heavy Duty filter or enough to destroy the engine?
When never driving on any gravel roads or in any dust storms, mostly Interstates & 4-2 lane roads in the mid west.

Do you have a link to any test that shows when any diesel engine is destroyed by miles, without using any filter to protect it? On paved roads.

By the way my ISB has a Banks turbo that will pull 33-34 PSI and a brand new paper filter will go to the 23-24 Line on first days use. The K & N 18.

How about a link to a test on the number of engines destroyed by using a K & N Heavy Duty filter vs a paper filter that the glue fell apart and paper pieces went through the engine.
Quote:
BTW, be sure to post your motor home VIN number so others can keep looking when you trade yours off.....just somebody else's time bomb.
No need to do that. My MH is now 15 years 2 months old. I am planning on no trading it off. And to keep full timeing in it until I can no longer drive or go to the other side of the grass. Or the K & N filter causes the engine to blow.

If the engine blows before I give up, I will probably have it towed to a permanent campground site. Or have a ISL9 put in it.

Quote:
Paper air filters typically and easily achieve 99.7xx% overall efficiency
Here is a test with some paper filters that are less then the 99.7% and the K & N isn't always last in each test.
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