Air Filter

[Forzatm]

Here is a photo of the air filter i replaced on our 38R Forza. Wait until you have to buy this thing. You will be walking into the parts counter backwards with a jar of vaseline.

[Skip426]

Looks just like mine and many others I've seen in MH's.
$149 three years ago, in my coach .
Once you have the P/N , you can shop on-line for a better price, many distributors offer free shipping, on orders over $100.

[Triker56]

For a few $$ more. You can get a lifetime K&N filter

[Forzatm]

This is a sealed unit. There is no filter to put in it. On our old motor home you replaced the air filter cartridge which cost $50. NAPA quoted me a price of $200 and a truck parts store quoted $175 for the sealed air filter. Purchased the air filter from Cummins for about $165.

[wb7auk]

Originally Posted by Triker56

For a few $$ more. You can get a lifetime K&N filter

Ouch

[rk911]

Originally Posted by Triker56

For a few $$ more. You can get a lifetime K&N filter

yup that's what we did. 50,000 miles later the F53 was going strong. we traded it last august but no issues with the K&N.

[CampDaven]

This thread is about diesel air filters. K&N will "dust" a diesel.


Dave and Nola, RV Mutants

[Jim_HiTek]

The typical diesel air filter should be checked at 50K but should easily last for over 100K. But that's if you don't do to much off roading...

Hah!

[Ramzfan]

I have heard others say that K&N is not a good filter for diesels, but I have heard others say it works just fine...don't know who to believe.

[vsheetz]

No way would I use a K&N filter on my Motorhome. Cummins ok and recommended only.

[DAN L]

how about the S&B filter? they are oiled gauze but are much thicker for better filtration.

[wb7auk]

Diesel engines require a 99.5% efficiency new out of the box at their rated CFM.
Here is K&N's statement from their web site.

Our actual air filters when tested generally demonstrate a cumulative filtration efficiency of between 96% and 99%.

As you can see they do not meet the requirements.

[wb7auk]

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

The typical diesel air filter should be checked at 50K but should easily last for over 100K. But that's if you don't do to much off roading...

Hah!

Air filter change required if any of the below occur.

Air filters should not be in service if older than 5 years from manufacture date.
Air filters should be taken out of service after 3 years.
Air filters should be taken out of service when the restriction is 20 inch H2O vacuum.

[SuperGewl]

K&N filters are OK if you know what you are doing. Personally the oil bath filters have their good and bad side. You actually need to own 2 of the filters in order to perform maintenance properly.
Step 1 is remove dirty oil bath filter and soak with cleaning agent.
Step 2 is clean out the filter housing with a paper towel
Step 3 is install 2nd pre-oiled/cleaned filter into housing.
step 4 is with very very low water pressure rinse out just removed/pre-
soaked dirty filter. If extremely dirty repeat soaking /rinsing until
clean
step 5 set it a side to allow it air dry for a couple of days turning or
rotating every other day
step 6 once completely dry, lightly re-oil filter and place into air tight bag
awaiting next clean cycle

Where an oil bath type of filter is bad is because most people don't clean them properly and allow them to dry. They also end up rearranging the batting material in the frame which creates holes which allows particles to pass without being trapped in the material. They also cause bunching of the gauze which in turn changes the overall air flow thru the filter and its overall effectiveness. Thus BAD for engine.

So if you use it like a throw away filter and do just that when it needs cleaning then most are very good at the job. But they cost a lot more each and that's just money down the drain.

As far as filter maintenance, yes they are designed to last 50 or 100k miles but that is daily driving. For MH's I would perform the filter change every 2-3 years due to lack of miles and a lot of dusty RV Parks.
Just my .01 worth

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

This thread is about diesel air filters. K&N will "dust" a diesel.

Yep, it only takes a few oz of dust getting through and the K&N will let it through. Personally the chance of dusting a diesel isn't worth saving a few $$ every couple of years.
I used K&N's on my racing motorcycles but I rebuilt them yearly or sooner if needed.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

The typical diesel air filter should be checked at 50K but should easily last for over 100K. But that's if you don't do to much off roading...

Filter manufacturers say to replace every two years or three at the latest. The element and glue deteriorate in that time enough that they might suck pieces in to the turbo.
Also NEVER use air pressure to "clean" an element. It can blow holes in the filter material leading to a dusted engine.

[Jim_HiTek]

Originally Posted by wb7auk

Air filter change required if any of the below occur.

Air filters should not be in service if older than 5 years from manufacture date.
Air filters should be taken out of service after 3 years.
Air filters should be taken out of service when the restriction is 20 inch H2O vacuum.

The typical air filter should be fine for several years in dry climates; low humidity. There is no 'automatic' cut off date where they should be changed. They should be pulled out & checked for breakdown and form integrity every couple years. And banged on the driveway to dislodge loose particles. If the restriction gauge is showing too much restriction, yes they should be changed immediately.

Filter manufacturers say to replace every two years or three at the latest. The element and glue deteriorate in that time enough that they might suck pieces in to the turbo.
Also NEVER use air pressure to "clean" an element. It can blow holes in the filter material leading to a dusted engine.

Of course filter manufacturers say that. What else would you expect them to say? They are trying to sell filters! What does an independant lab say about that brand? A lab with no economic incentive? If a manufacturer's element and glue are that cheap and weak, you don't want that brand anyway.

True, never use air to blow out a filter. But, YES, do bang the filter on the driveway to loosen and dislodge dirt particles. Gently use a vacuum too.

If you spend too much time driving in the rain, changing every 5 years might be needed. My motto is, "If it's raining, or there's a dust storm, park it". RV'ing is a hobby. Seldom 'need' to be anywhere in a hurry.

All the research I did on air filters 'larned' me a couple things, right or wrong. One of which is that a brand new filter is bad at filtering. The filtering improves with milage and a little dirt, so replacing too often is bad for your engine. Two, sucking moisture laden air through the filter too often isn't good for it, so don't drive in the rain too often. And three, farmers with farm equipment out in the fields 6 months of the year probably know what they're talking about when it comes to air filters.

JMO

[wb7auk]

Playing Russian roulette over a couple hundred dollars in filters VS several thousand dollar engine rebuild is not a game to play.

[dnystrom]

Good air filtering in a MUST with engines. Just realize how many cubic feet of air goes into the intake in a mile of driving down the road! I wouldn't skimp when it comes to any (oil/air or fuel) filter when it comes to the engine that gets me down the road.

[NMBluept]

I just replaced the air filter on my 2011 Itasca Meridian with a Cummins ISB which I believe is the same engine as in the Forza. Found a Wix 46748 on Amazon for $109.21 with free 2 day shipping.

We purchased this coach last May and did not know if the air filter had been replaced. The Air Minder had just a small indication so the filter was not clogged but age was unknown. As can be seen by the pictures it wasn't terribly bad. I do now have a known starting point for the next air filter change.