How often to replace air filter

[sepulchrave]

...perhaps the filter got sodden from water somehow and broke down?

 

Some people here cut the water deflector out of their intake to release 'the beast' lurking within!

 

Others don't have all the clips for their airbox lid so the filter isn't retained properly.

 

Or not. Just saying. Probably magnets anyway.

[eric87]

Genuine filters every time ? Or oe specs such as hengst, crosland on Ecp/cp4l any good?

[sepulchrave]

Genuine filters every time ? Or oe specs such as hengst, crosland on Ecp/cp4l any good?

 

My personal preference is for Mahle filters because they actually have a significantly larger surface area than most other filters I have seen, this means better filtration for longer and a slightly lower pressure drop, they are also noticeably better made.

 

When you're changing a filter, count the pleats, measure the depth then cut up the old one, stretch it out and measure total length. Not all filters are the same. The best way to quickly judge a filter visually without destroying it is to measure the depth and count the pleats, once you have a baseline from cutting up an old filter you can accurately estimate whether a new filter will be better or worse and even by how much.

 

Edit: This method applies to OE type paper filter elements only, so called 'performance' panel filters have a laughably small surface area by comparison.

Edited 9 November, 2013 by sepulchrave

[kiddy1]

I'm running a Jetex panel filter and have been for 3 years... haven't had any problems or signs of it deteriorating.