Changing air filter

mnaquaman wrote:
Does your air filter housing have indicator on it? If it does do not change it until the indicator says too. Studies have shown that most dirt inters the system during filter removal. Instruct whoever changes your oil to do not remove the air filter.

One reason to check an air filter is the fact that mice can make a home in there. Should a hole be chewed thru the media, the indicator will show good even though no filtering is happening.

Just Google for images using "mice in air filter" if you want to see what I am talking about. RV's often sit for long periods, and may have more than their share of rodent residents.

I carry spare filters int he RV. If I end up getting dusted out, I can do it on the road. That goes for the genny too (and I have fuel filters).

mnaquaman wrote:
Does your air filter housing have indicator on it? If it does do not change it until the indicator says too. Studies have shown that most dirt inters the system during filter removal. Instruct whoever changes your oil to do not remove the air filter.

You will not believe how dirty a filter has to get before it is even close to plugging or effecting your fuel economy.

I have been designing air filtration systems for military vehicles for over 30 years. I know what I am talking about.

I have 1 2004 Chevy Avalanche with 165,000 miles, uses less than a quart of oil in 8,000 mils and is only on its second air filter.
Why, they just don't require that many changes. Selling you a new filter is a money maker for them and a unneeded expense for you.

Believe the restriction indicator and stop removing your filter unless you plan on changing it.

AS for K & N filters - don't. The only way to get better airflow thru a filter is to add more media or make the media more open to allow air to flow easier. The reason they use oil is to help catch the dust because the paper can't.

Great post right there^^^^^. And right on the money! You have explained a lot of things in one post that most people just don't understand.

Let me explain one more thing that a lot of people don't understand. The more dirt a filter has on it the better it will filter until it becomes a restriction for the engine.

Does your air filter housing have indicator on it? If it does do not change it until the indicator says too. Studies have shown that most dirt inters the system during filter removal. Instruct whoever changes your oil to do not remove the air filter.

You will not believe how dirty a filter has to get before it is even close to plugging or effecting your fuel economy.

I have been designing air filtration systems for military vehicles for over 30 years. I know what I am talking about.

I have 1 2004 Chevy Avalanche with 165,000 miles, uses less than a quart of oil in 8,000 mils and is only on its second air filter.
Why, they just don't require that many changes. Selling you a new filter is a money maker for them and a unneeded expense for you.

Believe the restriction indicator and stop removing your filter unless you plan on changing it.

AS for K & N filters - don't. The only way to get better airflow thru a filter is to add more media or make the media more open to allow air to flow easier. The reason they use oil is to help catch the dust because the paper can't.

Motorcraft air filter for my 2013 6.7L diesel is $18.24 on Amazon. Seems like the answer.

Strabo wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
$75 for an air filter, I hate to ask about the oil change cost.

I just ordered on Amazon an AFE Pro5r for our 6.0 diesel, I think it's time to change it cause I'm doing a complete preventive maintenance on the truck, all fluids changed, even coolant hoses and coolant. The air filter is huge, but worth the cost of $85. Filters are cheaper than a new truck, so I was informed by my wife, I agree.

Bite the bullet and buy it...

Why would anyone install a washable air filter that passes more dirt?

Lynnmor wrote:
$75 for an air filter, I hate to ask about the oil change cost.

I just ordered on Amazon an AFE Pro5r for our 6.0 diesel, I think it's time to change it cause I'm doing a complete preventive maintenance on the truck, all fluids changed, even coolant hoses and coolant. The air filter is huge, but worth the cost of $85. Filters are cheaper than a new truck, so I was informed by my wife, I agree.

Bite the bullet and buy it...

Someone is awful proud of their filter, I have always changed mine as my cost is way below a shop cost

MSRP for the Motorcraft 9601 air filter at FordParts.com is $19.95. Walmart sells it for a bit less. There are cheaper filters from Fram. Remove and replace on the E-series chassis is less than two minutes, although some dealers charge a minimum of 30 minutes labor for any procedure (like going to the doctor's office).

FWIW, when I get a $10 oil change at my Ford dealers quick change, the technician takes out the air filter, looks at it, puts it back in (all in hopes of selling a replacement) without charging for the labor. Job is that simple on the E-series.

I did have them put on new wipers last time in, they put on better than OEM wiper blades at a fair price, but $15 labor for a 30 second job.

phxchica wrote:
My Jayco Greyhawk is in for warranty work and I asked them to do oil change. Just got a call that I need a new air filter (at 11,000 miles)but when they said it would cost $75 I said no I can do it myself. Now I am second guessing. I can do it myself in my car so I am thinking this is no big deal. Am I wrong? Is it hard to get to?

Wow, $75 for a $20 filter that takes no more than 2 minutes to install. Last summer before we returned from our seasonal site, I replaced the air filters in both MH and toad and the in-cabin microfilter in the toad for less than $75.

-Michael