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When does an air filter need replacing?
smart51 - 10/5/12 at 10:40 AM

I'm servicing the tintop and the service schedule says inspect the air filter. Which I have. How do I know if it needs replacing? It is still quite white but a bit grubby with a few bits of leaf trapped here or there. I don't do many miles in it, so it doesn't get hammered. At what point do they need changing?

designer - 10/5/12 at 10:54 AM

There should be a replacement mileage in the handbook.

smart51 - 10/5/12 at 10:56 AM

Hand book says inspect and replace as neccesary.

steve m - 10/5/12 at 11:05 AM

I dont know what your car is, but all the air filters ive ever changed, from a motor factors are only about £5-10 each anyway
so in my view i would change it anyway

if its a bit grubby/leaves etc, then it has done its job

steve

tegwin - 10/5/12 at 11:07 AM

I tend to do mine every 2 years (so about every 20,000 miles).... Having said that, when I do replace it it doesnt appear to be in a terrible condition.

I tend to take it out and blow out all the crud with an airline at every service. Inspect it for holes and then re-fit it.


In reality, assuming its still filtering and letting through air its only going to need replacing if its clogged up with cr@p or soaked in oil...... If I had a "banger" I would I suspect keep cleaning the origional one until it was worn out...

Mr Whippy - 10/5/12 at 11:08 AM

if it looks mostly dirty I'd replace it, certainly if you bang it against something and a cloud of dust comes off then it's time to change it. Try running the car with it off to see if the idle speed rises noticably, no change and I'd not bother

My car has an oil bath filter, so much better

smart51 - 10/5/12 at 11:33 AM

I did knock it against the wall and there was no dust cloud and nothing fell out of it. It is a bit grubby rather than dirty and there is no damage at all. The filter has been in for 2 years, but that is probably 6000 or 7000 miles. I guess it is fine, but when I came to inspect it, I realise I've never seen a really used one.

tegwin - 10/5/12 at 11:48 AM

I have seen a really REALLY used one, it was black and caked with crud. I dont think a mouse could breathe through it, let alone an engine...

MikeRJ - 10/5/12 at 05:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by smart51
I did knock it against the wall and there was no dust cloud and nothing fell out of it. It is a bit grubby rather than dirty and there is no damage at all. The filter has been in for 2 years, but that is probably 6000 or 7000 miles. I guess it is fine, but when I came to inspect it, I realise I've never seen a really used one.


If it's only got 7000 miles on it and you haven't been driving through ridiculously dusty places then it should be absolutely fine to go again.

ReMan - 10/5/12 at 06:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by smart51
I did knock it against the wall and there was no dust cloud and nothing fell out of it. It is a bit grubby rather than dirty and there is no damage at all. The filter has been in for 2 years, but that is probably 6000 or 7000 miles. I guess it is fine, but when I came to inspect it, I realise I've never seen a really used one.


If it's only got 7000 miles on it and you haven't been driving through ridiculously dusty places then it should be absolutely fine to go again.


+1
Unless you are in an extreme environment or it looks very dirty/oil contaminated
I'd blow it out and put it back in infinitum

smart51 - 10/5/12 at 06:34 PM

That's what I was thinking.