K&N/AFE Truck air filter usage

[lonestarace]

Hyping or Ditching a filter without Used Oil Analysis(UOA) evidence is just speculation IMO.

I have provided UOA for my last two Monaco Signatures w/500 ISM equiped w/stock EcoLite filters. My UOA reports show the EcoLite filters to be performing flawlessly.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/used...hp-159596.html

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/engin...ts-131579.html

[spike45]

Originally Posted by lonestarace

Hyping or Ditching a filter without Used Oil Analysis(UOA) evidence is just speculation IMO.

I have provided UOA for my last two Monaco Signatures w/500 ISM equiped w/stock EcoLite filters. My UOA reports show the EcoLite filters to be performing flawlessly.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/used...hp-159596.html

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/engin...ts-131579.html

Lone Star,

I looked at your reports. Why did you select 10W40 instead of 15W40 which Cummins recommends regarding viscosity index? I agree that the reports show nothing to be concerned about. A majority of ISM are run 25,000 in HD service in line haul 18 wheel trucks and get the same decent oil analysis reports. It is especially encouraging to see that you had the better oil analysis that gives indication of the oil properties instead of the bare bones analysis that most get where it shows wear metals and fuel dilution only. As they say in Tennessee...."ya dun good!"

[spike45]

Originally Posted by Muddypaws

When I used a K&N on my 2001 7.3 it made dust tracks in the intake tube.

AFE is two layers of tighter media. No tracks.

I would not use either on a motorhome. The risk is too big and the benefit too small.

Muddypaws,

Actually, all air filters will have a slight dust trail in the clean air inlet. Each time a new filter is installed, it will pass a small amount of dust as it builds up enough accumulation to shift into the 99.7xx%+ efficiency range from its initial efficiency rating. The maintenance practice for changing air cleaners is to use a damp cloth to wipe the clean air inlet piping down to remove these light wispy trails. If this is not done, with enough changes the trails become quite heavy leading you to believe your engine is being dusted.

[Muddypaws]

The AFE has NEVER left a dust trail.

Paper has never left a dust trail.

Only the K&N left a dust trail.

That's my real world experience and I will not be using K&N on anything in the future.

End of discussion.

[Ray,IN]

This "discussion" is unending. Lets all agree we spent our money for our RV, and we are free to use it as we choose.

[tom chelbana]

Since I was the one who started this question I think we can say two things. A very small number of AFE and K&N users have had " dustings" problems that might or might not be caused by their air filter choice. OEM paper filters do come apart and have damaged turbo as reported by both Cummins and Spartan. Paper filters have had "dusting" problems too. If I used a paper filter I would change it once a year because they can and do come apart. Nothing in this forum has changed my mind and I will continue to use an AFE air filter because the advantages out weight the information I have seen. For those who choice to use paper filters I can see how you might not want to change. But hundreds have and are pleased with them. Tom 04 Essex The End

[Mr_D]

Oh well, Gary tried. Some just don't listen.

[Dunner]

This is the filter I replace every year in my 97 CTD.

[spike45]

Originally Posted by Dunner

This is the filter I replace every year in my 97 CTD.

Dunner,

I see you became weary of that piddly little square filter that Dodge put on after they went to two starting batteries. Do you have a Filter Minder® restriction gauge?
Filter Minder, Automobile Parts, Air Filter, Sensor, LED Display, Fuel Monitor, Car Accessories, Air Restriction Gauge, Engineered Products Company

I seriously doubt the need to service that more than once per two years.

[Dunner]

Why would I need a Filter Minder? I do have one, but it's in the shed someplace.

When I do an oil change, I tap the filter on the ground to knock the larger particles off.

Notice the heat shield on the right. The filter is kinda close to the turbo.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by Dunner

This is the filter I replace every year in my 97 CTD.

Ahhh, the BHAF (big honking air filter). I ran one of these on my 2002 Cummins HO Ram 3500.

Rusty

[Dunner]

You got it.

[milasman]

Spike, with all the good info given on air filters, you will still be remembered as the guy who took a cheap shot at Class C and Class C owners. It is a style of motor home, not an economic position.

[Smitty77]

Originally Posted by milasman

Spike, with all the good info given on air filters, you will still be remembered as the guy who took a cheap shot at Class C and Class C owners. It is a style of motor home, not an economic position.

We all, or at least I know I do, sometimes write things that I/we probably should not have. Most times for me, it was not deliberate, but still can/did come across the wrong way.

Gary (Spike45) has spent a great deal of time sharing his real world knowledge with us on many, many threads. I also know that he has responded two at least two or three of my private PM's over the last few years, helping me understand things.

I read his post and can see the 'shot' on Class C's, but I really doubt he was trying to tick anyone off. I cut him some slack, as word choice fumbles do happen.

Nothing wrong with Class C's at all, well - unless they have a Chevy engine, as everyone knows that Ford's make the best Class C's chassis! Heck, if he had really wanted to be 'Class Insulting' - he would have gone to the B's! ! As I read his intent, it was that after any sort of major financial outlay for our toys, cutting maintenance corners for a few dollars per year, could really come back bite a person.

On the thread in general. I continue to hear many of the AFE crowd are pleased with their filtration. I looked into these for our ISL, but after researching, and help from Gary, I determined that I had the same filter supporting the ISM's/ISX's and BIG CAT's - with much larger air demands then the ISL. So the conclusion was my intake air side of the breathing was not restricting the ISL and or Turbo spooling in any way at all. Stayed with my paper filter.

It would be good to see an 'objective' filtration testing of K&N, AFE and different levels of Paper air filters - it would take the salesman ship and word of mouth opinions out of the equation...

Best to all, and I appreciate ALL opinions, but I also may not agree with them all!

This is a hobby, so I try to keep that in perspective when reading and posting to different RV boards... (Now, if I could just cure my need to ramble so much...)!
Smitty