DP Question: How often do you change your air filter?

[richard5933]

Wow - you guys have it easy with your one-a-year paper filter element changes. My manual calls for inspecting/cleaning the oil-bath air cleaner "every 1500 miles, more often in dusty or dirty conditions".

Of course, it's pretty simple to service mine. I only have to drop the pan from the canister, pour off the gallon of oil in it, clean the sludge from the bottom of the pan, refill the oil to the proper level, and put it all back together.

I'm not complaining, just saying that changing a paper filter element once a year would be simple compared to this. Guess it's all relative...

[Maik]

Been hanging every two years, but I found that last time it was only one year and it required changing. So for me it would be a one to two year change depending on the condition of the filter. Was thinking about a K&N filter but I will have to re think that one and do more research on it.

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by Dav L

re: K&N - lots of historical and often repeated BS. They work just fine. And don't compromise any warranties other than a service advisor that has read the BS and doesn't really know the difference. Lots of misinformation in this simple thread...

Some people still believe the hype put out by K&N. Here is a test that demonstrates that a paper filter is superior to an oiled cotton like the K&N if removing dirt is your priority. If maximum air flow is your priority, then K&N is the one for you. It's a long and in depth scientific report but covers all aspects of what a filter does. It confirms why I use a paper filter in my coach.

https://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

[Milford 47]

Interesting deal on filters regarding vehicles used in very dirty conditions. Most of the equipment used in coal piles, mining, farming have dual filters, outer and final.

Outer filters are removed each day and blown out if filter minders indicate and some people just pull them each day and either blow or beat them.

Typically the filters like on our JD's last for years even though during used are pulled and air cleaned each day.

Heavy equipment operators tend to pull them based on the minders and send them in to be cleaned and tested and returned to service.

As to the OP three years for me given I don't drive on dirty roads.

And to add to the KN story I gave my little brother a F550 a few years back. He lives on dirt roads and the service center talked him into a KN filter as he was changing the fiber filter each oil change. The F550 is in the shop and expected out this week with a new engine due to the old one being dusted.

I do make sure my large diesel air filters have the wire mesh screen in the outlet portion.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

Every three years, which = ~ 15,000 miles. Maybe I should rethink.

I do the 3 year change too. last year the owner of the HDT repair center I patronize recommended I extend that to 4 years, because when his technician removed my old filter it was only slightly dirty, and the filter minder was showing the filter at 15/half-way to replacement reading.
I told him I'd read on the internet camping forums about the glue failing in old filters. He asked me who told me that, as he has never heard of it happening; but then he's only been a diesel mechanic for 43 years.

[sandpsycho]

K&N reusable filters are useless at stopping fine particulates. Sand and dust will pass right through. You would be money ahead to not run an airfilter and set the money you spend you would spend on the filter, cleaner and oil aside for your rebuild. Use a quality brand paper filter they work.

[Monacoach]

I changed mine after 8 years although the filter minder wasn't in the red yet.

[Fiesta48]

My 5 year old diesel filter still looks new with 40k miles.
It is wax coated so it does not get wet.
Your wasting big bucks doing it every 1 to 2 years. Especially if you only put on 5-10k miles a year.

[LPerry]

Every couple years. My first change out was about a dozen years old when I got the coach. There was even a little rust in the can. Other than a little dirty, paper and glue looked fine upon close inspection.

I've been thinking about getting a semi truck housing and adapting it. They usually have a serviceable housing with a much cheaper element inside. If it were $20 a year instead of over $100 or so I'd change it more often. Plus I'd be able to pop it open and get a good look without destroying the housing.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by sandpsycho

K&N reusable filters are useless at stopping fine particulates. Sand and dust will pass right through. You would be money ahead to not run an airfilter and set the money you spend you would spend on the filter, cleaner and oil aside for your rebuild. Use a quality brand paper filter they work.

The K&N website says the dirter our filters get, the better they work. To me that means when they are clean they are ineffective at stopping fine dust.



This ISO 5011 study on Duramax diesel engine air filters is very informative: ISO 5011 Duramax Air Filter Test Report

[2 Stroker]

K&N filters are a joke, if you want a dusted motor. The only good air filter is the Donaldson Blue.
2 stroker

[Tigerfan1]

Originally Posted by Milford 47

Interesting deal on filters regarding vehicles used in very dirty conditions. Most of the equipment used in coal piles, mining, farming have dual filters, outer and final.

Outer filters are removed each day and blown out if filter minders indicate and some people just pull them each day and either blow or beat them.

Typically the filters like on our JD's last for years even though during used are pulled and air cleaned each day.

Heavy equipment operators tend to pull them based on the minders and send them in to be cleaned and tested and returned to service.

As to the OP three years for me given I don't drive on dirty roads.

And to add to the KN story I gave my little brother a F550 a few years back. He lives on dirt roads and the service center talked him into a KN filter as he was changing the fiber filter each oil change. The F550 is in the shop and expected out this week with a new engine due to the old one being dusted.

I do make sure my large diesel air filters have the wire mesh screen in the outlet portion.

The last filter I installed had the wire mesh over the paper element. Does this eliminate the concern of paper being ingested into the engine?

[BigSkyBob]

Originally Posted by Stan&Jacquie

Every three years for me doing about 6k per year with no inspections in between.

I do this also.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Tigerfan1

The last filter I installed had the wire mesh over the paper element. Does this eliminate the concern of paper being ingested into the engine?

It should.