air intake for c7 cat

[bobpam54]

I noticed on my c7 cat motor that the gauge that shows whether the air is being restricted to the motor was up high in the glass and a mechanic suggested that I change the filter. The old one looks very clean but I changed it anyway. Problem solved right? Nope. The next time I went for a trip I checked the gauge and its right back up where it was before. Its about 3/4 of the way up the glass. Is this the correct place for the gauge to be or do I have another restriction somewhere.
Is this normal for the gauge to be so high in the glass?

Thank you
Bob

[tinkerer]

If possible check your turbo boost at full load. It should be at 26-27 lbs of boost. If it is, don't worry about the air cleaner indicator.

[EdNdonna]

Mine does the exact same thing. When I find some time I'm going to take the hose off the intake side of the filter and see what it does.
But I think its the connection at the turbo as its a pretty tight fit.

[down_home]

Our C7 show a lot of restriction even after changing the filter. Last time Cat didn't have one of their filters and a different brand was installed.
Perhaps there is a certain filter that works better.
none of the ones we pulled out were very dirty even appearing almost new. Where the filter is and the intake high on the side of the coach I worry about water swelling the media and causing restriction.
perhaps I can figure out some sort of shield around the intake, on the side of the coach. Seems a terrible idea to put it there.

[wolfe10]

To add to Don's excellent post, NEVER take out an air filter and "bang the dirt out of it". It will very likely split the paper pleats and let dirt straight into the engine. It is called "DUSTING". A VERY expensive issue.

[DSDP_Don]

From playing with several of them over the years, they just aren't that accurate and don't move as incrementally as you would think.

Once you reset them, they will usually go back to the previous setting after a hard pull.

Side Note: Removable air cleaners on DP's (non canister type) should never be removed to just inspect and should NEVER be blown out with air to get additional life. Either practice can get dirt/dust into the system which can quickly damage a diesel engine. Determine a mileage/time frame to change your air filter and stick with it.

[wolfe10]

Roy,

Test the filter minder: Remove the vacuum line from the intake plumbing.

Suck on it. That should peg the gauge and hold that reading until you push the bottom to release it.

[Jones1]

1 have a `99 3126(300) when I changed the air filter last fall the air minder reads "0".driven about 15,000 miles and it still reads no restrictions. Have checked all connections for air leaks and for holes/leaks in the piping. I think I would feel better if it read somerestriction. Coach runs great towing a 3300 lb. toad. Maybe when it gets a little dust it will readsome restriction. I keep a close watch on it.

Roy
1999 Dutch Star 300 Cat.

[bobpam54]

thank you guys for your responses
Sounds like yours is very similar to mine..fire up.
Maybe thats just the way it is and that is the way its going to be. The motor does run good and gets the job done. So I guess I will keep on running and see what happens.
The intake air hoses look to be very good condition.
I have a 2003 dutchstar 330 cat
We are just getting ready for our trip down south and tuning up the coach for the trip. Going to AZ this year.
Once again thank you for the advice
If you see a dutchstar motorhome rolling down the road with two people smiling like crazy...WAVE

Bob

[CA_Traveler]

Could be a bad gauge or collapsing hose with higher boost.

[FIRE_UP]

bobpam54 wrote:
I noticed on my c7 cat motor that the gauge that shows whether the air is being restricted to the motor was up high in the glass and a mechanic suggested that I change the filter. The old one looks very clean but I changed it anyway. Problem solved right? Nope. The next time I went for a trip I checked the gauge and its right back up where it was before. Its about 3/4 of the way up the glass. Is this the correct place for the gauge to be or do I have another restriction somewhere.
Is this normal for the gauge to be so high in the glass?

Thank you
Bob

Bob,
I was in the same predicament as you a while ago. I too looked at my restriction gauge and it was about in the middle, if not a tad higher. Well, I figured no one had changed it prior to us owning the coach so, time for a change-out of the air cleaner. Well, like yours, ours looked like it was put in the day before. So, off to the air cleaner store. I put a new one in and, took the big beast for a little drive. I got back, backed her into her cave and, got out and took a look at the gauge.

Well, again like yours, it was right back where it was prior to the change-out to the new one. Hmmmmmmm. So, I did what Brett suggested and looked for possible issues in the intake system. NONE! All of my hoses, routing and components to that intake side are about as efficient as they can be, without removing all of it and just having an opening in the side of the air cleaner can.

I've reset that restriction gauge several times and, it always comes back to the same spot. The engine runs good, get's me in the neighborhood of about 7-8 mpg, has fair to good power pulling a 5300 lb. toad. So, if there is a problem, at least with mine, I have no idea where it would be.
Scott

[wolfe10]

Bob,

The AIR FILTER MINDER GAUGE reads total restriction in the engine's air intake system, so indeed that means from side of coach opening, the (often too long) flexible hose to the air filter, hose/piping from air filter to turbo.

I would start by verifying that the flexible hose from side of coach to air cleaner is as short and straight as possible. I have inspected coaches where the chassis maker supplied hose that allows some flexibility in where the air intake is mounted is NOT shortened and routed straight. Cutting out 2' of flexible hose is a pretty easy and inexpensive "fix".

Some coach makers cut too small a hole in the side of the coach. That would be next on my check list.

After that, if you still have excessive restriction, see if you have room for a larger air filter housing with the same outlet location and size.

[bobpam54]

yes I reset the gauge. Maybe I should check the hose that delivers air. Could be a mouse built a nest? I don't know.
I am just checking with others on here to see if their air restriction gauge runs high in the glass or does it stay low.
On the hills my motor seems to not have much power. But this is my first diesel pusher and it is a little motor. It just seems to bog down on hills fairly quick.
Thanks for your reply
Bob

[Valkyriebush]

No, I don't think so. Mine is normally at 15? You did reset it after the change right?