I had something happen on my cross TN trip last week. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and might know a fix.First I have a 1999 Holiday Rambler that is built on the Ford F53 chassis. We've had it out on several trips. But maybe Friday, July 5th was the first time we've had to drive it through a hard rain. After about 15 minutes and some 20 miles our coach started missing and then wouldn't get over 5 MPH. Luckily we were in Nashville. After calling their Camping World (and finding they didn't do any chassis work) they referred me to a Ford Truck dealer. He said this model of Ford RV had a problem with the air snorkel pulling water inside the air filter, collapsing it on itself and starving it for air. Upon taking the filter out, that was exactly what was happening. It had twisted like a corkscrew. A nearby Ford dealership, a new $25+ filter, and we were on our way.I've heard of some fixes for this, but they might be expensive. I think I've found a K&N filter for this engine, but its pricey too.Any ideas?

Yes, a known issue. I thought Ford released a new inlet duct retrofit that was supposed to fix the issue for a few of the model years.

same thing happened to us in texas during a real toad strangler of a storm. two solutions...three if you count simply replacing the current air filter with another of the same type. first, ford has issued a service bulletin (not a recall) on this which includes the recommended fix. google 'Ford Service Bulltin F53 Air Filter Problem' and you ought to be able to find it. or, as we did, replace the current air filter with a K&N brand. there is a bit more maintenance to it but we've been in some heavy rain with no further problems. some folks will no doubt prefer solution 1 over 2 and vice versa. if you have a regular mechanic you might want to ask them but we've had very good results with the K&N.

Same here. Ford dealer installed some sort of a shield in front of the air intake....several yaars ago....it works....did not ask if this was a recall, just said thanks and drove away.

Fifty4F100 wrote:I had something happen on my cross TN trip last week. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and might know a fix.First I have a 1999 Holiday Rambler that is built on the Ford F53 chassis. We've had it out on several trips. But maybe Friday, July 5th was the first time we've had to drive it through a hard rain. After about 15 minutes and some 20 miles our coach started missing and then wouldn't get over 5 MPH. Luckily we were in Nashville. After calling their Camping World (and finding they didn't do any chassis work) they referred me to a Ford Truck dealer. He said this model of Ford RV had a problem with the air snorkel pulling water inside the air filter, collapsing it on itself and starving it for air. Upon taking the filter out, that was exactly what was happening. It had twisted like a corkscrew. A nearby Ford dealership, a new $25+ filter, and we were on our way.I've heard of some fixes for this, but they might be expensive. I think I've found a K&N filter for this engine, but its pricey too.Any ideas?We have a 99 H/R F53 & what I did, was took a long piece of sewer drain hose & mounted it to the bottom of the air filter box & then routed it around to the drivers side & then up to as high as I could get it up under the hood. Once the hose was in place & tied down so it would stay in place, I made up a cone shaped thing out of screen wire to go over the end of the sewer hose to keep any unwanted pest out of the hose.So far it has worked real well, not had to replace the air filter in a good many miles so I'm pleased.The sewer hose I used, was the gray stiff like hose, not the cheaper thin flexible type that you can find most anywhere.In the future, I plan on changing the hose out for a larger I.D hose, to hopefully provide a bit more air flow into the intake.The old GBM we had with a 460, used some aluminum type 4" dryer hose & made a cold air intake for it & had the open end of the hose right to the grill opening. Never had a wet air filters on it, so must have had something to do with the size of the hose or air flowing through it slow enough not to carry any rain on & into the filter.Neil

Ford has a fix for this. See a Ford (or Ford Truck) dealer.

Ford F53 chassis air filter problem | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

C-Leigh_Racing
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
dbates wrote:
Click below for Ford's fix to your problem. When I purchased the part in 2006 it cost $47.83 (including sales tax) but I've hear that it is much more expensive now if it's even availalable.

If you Google the part number, several sites show up but you need to watch that they are not includng the entire air filter system under that part number. I'd suggest that you contact the supplier before ordering to confirm that it is the right part. If available it looks like it will cost $80 to $90 but it's easy to install so you shouldn't need to have any labor costs.

Dave

F52 water problem fix

Says not found, could it be the F52 listed & Ford didnt make an F52.
Neil
timmac
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
As much as people bash the Banks cold air system, my Bounder came with the Banks cold air system {F-53} and no problems in the rain, the filter is even exposed to the air and it stayed dry in a rain storm when I went to Austin TX, maybe replace that stock air system and go with Banks cold air intake.
clj
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
Found part online and have ordered both the air intake and strap I need for modification. Thanks to all who have responded. Parts certainly have gone up in price since the problem was originally addressed. Oh well, whatever it takes to not experience that again.
dbates
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
Click below for Ford's fix to your problem. When I purchased the part in 2006 it cost $47.83 (including sales tax) but I've hear that it is much more expensive now if it's even availalable.

If you Google the part number, several sites show up but you need to watch that they are not includng the entire air filter system under that part number. I'd suggest that you contact the supplier before ordering to confirm that it is the right part. If available it looks like it will cost $80 to $90 but it's easy to install so you shouldn't need to have any labor costs.

Dave

F52 water problem fix
mtrumpet
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
C-Leigh Racing wrote:

We have a 99 H/R F53 & what I did, was took a long piece of sewer drain hose & mounted it to the bottom of the air filter box & then routed it around to the drivers side & then up to as high as I could get it up under the hood.
Once the hose was in place & tied down so it would stay in place, I made up a cone shaped thing out of screen wire to go over the end of the sewer hose to keep any unwanted pest out of the hose.
So far it has worked real well, not had to replace the air filter in a good many miles so I'm pleased.
The sewer hose I used, was the gray stiff like hose, not the cheaper thin flexible type that you can find most anywhere.
In the future, I plan on changing the hose out for a larger I.D hose, to hopefully provide a bit more air flow into the intake.

The old GBM we had with a 460, used some aluminum type 4" dryer hose & made a cold air intake for it & had the open end of the hose right to the grill opening. Never had a wet air filters on it, so must have had something to do with the size of the hose or air flowing through it slow enough not to carry any rain on & into the filter.
Neil

Did the same fix during the course of one very rainy trip when the issue started to arise with our old gasser (2000 Fleetwood Storm w/V-10). Removed the cowling from the bottom of the air cleaner assembly (was just held on with a couple of small bolts). Strapped on a length of that 4" diameter aluminum dryer hose purchased from a nearby hardware store along with a couple of hose clamps. Then, brought the other end up and slightly above the grill opening and secured with a couple of plastic tie-wraps. Worked like a charm.

If memory serves me correct, I believe that I had to do some minor trimming of some of the plastic at the bottom of the air cleaner assembly with a utility knife, in order to make the hose fit well.

At one time, there were several threads regarding this problem. If you do a search on "Water ingestion", you may find more info on this issue.
Airstreamer67
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Fifty4F100 wrote:
I was hoping to hear if anyone had used the K&N changeover. I know F250+ crowd really promotes this changeover on the diesels.

In my readings, generally speaking most of the F250 crowd does not like the oiled-fabric K&N air filters. The K&N is said to allow more dirt into the engine and can cause problems with air flow sensors. Also, many folks don't maintain them right as the process can be tricky and prone to error.

Of course, there are many advocates of so-called "cold air" filters and locations, but the most favored ones use dry-type paper filters.

Having said that, of course there are advocates of the K&N oiled-fabric filters who discredit the criticisms.
Fifty4F100
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
If this thing keeps getting harder to close trying to inspect the filter, this is what I might go for.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/afe-54-10542/overview/make/ford/model/f53
clj
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
I have the TSB for this issue. The problem I have is the parts are now obsolete according to the Ford dealer in my area. http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/tsb/tsb/files/042422.pdf
donhoward49
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Not sure if my Workhorse problem was the same, but worth a look. On mine the rain water was coming in from around the hood opening. So as recommended on another forum I bought rubber "bulb" door seal at Auto Zone. It has peal & stick glue on the back.I put it all inside the hood. . A cheep fix the last 4 years. The filter is dry, also less moisture on my fuses and other items in their.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2014
Ford has a TSB(technical service bulletin)#13079 on this problem. Ford, however will not do anything about correcting it altho they may SELL you some parts. This means that the owner has to re-route the air intake to prevent water from entering the air intake.
Workhorse had a similar problem with the 8.1L air horn location. Many of those owners just cut the plastic intake and turned the air horn around to face the rear, instead of the front.