25-06-2016

A particulate air filter is a device composed

of fibrous materials which removes solid
particulates such as dust, pollen, mould, and
bacteria from the air. A chemical air filter
consists of an absorbent or catalyst for the
removal of airborne molecular contaminants
such as volatile organic compounds or ozone.
 Itis utmost IMPORTANT and NECESSARY
that the FILTER be changed at the
MANUFACTURER SPECIFIED CHANGE
PERIOD or…..???
 Cleanor Replace the Air Filter only on
appearance of “Red Band on Vacuum
Indicator
 Ideally no air filter element should be
cleaned as paper used in the element can
get punctured or damaged, leading to
unfiltered air into the engine. However, if
you must clean the filter elements, keep
the following in mind…
 Primary element should be removed for cleaning
only when “red band” appears on the vacuum
indicator.
 Clean only the Primary element. The safety
element should never be cleaned but only
replaced at the recommended intervals.
 Frequent cleaning of elements will only result in
damage to the paper, sealing washers, rings and
wing nut and ease the entry of unfiltered air into
the engine. It will thus reduce the air cleaning
efficiency of the element, leading to serious
engine damage.
MAXIMUM AIR PRESSURE SHOULD BE LESS THAN
30 PSI OR 2 KG/CM2
 DustEvacuator Valve – Replace dust
evacuator valve in any of these conditions
 Sealing Ring – Check for proper adhesion
between endplate of the element and the
sealing ring
 Air filter servicing / repair should be done
only when engine is switched off.
 In no case engine should be operated while
air cleaner element / air outlet piping is
removed.
 Thoroughly clean the housing with a clean
damp cloth
 Carefully install the new element
 Check for a positive seal in the housing
 Tighten all fasteners and clamps
 Reset the restriction gauge
 Remove the element as gently as possible
until you get it clear out of the housing.
Accidentally bumping it while still inside
means dropped dirt and dust may
contaminate the clean side of your filter
housing, before the new filter element has a
chance to do its job.
 Always clean the inside of the housing
carefully - Dirt left in the air cleaner housing
spells death for your engine. Use a clean,
water-dampened cloth to wipe every surface
clean. Check it visually to make sure it's
clean before putting in a new element.
 Always clean the gasket sealing surfaces of
the housing - An improper gasket seal is one
of the most common causes of engine
contamination. Make sure that all hardened
dirt ridges are completely removed, both on
the bottom and top of the cleaner.
 Check for uneven dirt patterns on your old
element - Your old element is a valuable clue
to dust leakage or gasket sealing problems. A
pattern on the element clean side is a sign
that the old element was not firmly sealed or
that a dust leak exists. Make certain the
cause of that leak is identified and rectified
before replacing the element.
 Press your fresh gasket to see if it springs
back - Make sure your new element is made
with a highly compressible gasket that
springs right back when your finger pressure
is released. A quality gasket is one of the
most important parts of the element.
 Make sure the gasket is seating evenly - If
you don't feel the gasket is seating evenly for
a perfect seal, you don't have protection. Re-
check to see if the sealing surface in the
housing is clean, or if the element is the
correct model number. It may be too short
for the housing.
 Check connections and ducts for air tight
fit - Check that all clamps and flange joints
are tight, as well as cleaner mounting bolts.
Seal any leaks immediately – they mean dirt
is directly entering your engine. All duct
joints, from air cleaners to engine, must be
tight.
 Safety element service - The safety element
is not intended to be cleaned. For maximum
engine protection and air cleaner service
life, replace the safety element with a new
safety element every third primary element
change.
 Don't remove element for inspection - Such
a check will always do more harm to your
engine than the good your inspection can do.
Ridges of dirt on the gasket sealing surface
can drop on the clean filter side when the
gasket is released. Stick sealing surface can
drop on the clean filter side when the gasket
is released. Stick with the schedule. If you're
on restriction maintenance, follow your
reading, or get a new indicator if you don't
trust it.
 Never tap an element to clean it - only to
destroy - Tapping hard enough to knock off
dust often damages the element and
destroys your engine protection. Deeply
embedded dirt is never released by tapping.
It is always safer to keep operating until you
can change to a fresh filter.
 Never judge your element's life by looking
at it - A dirty-looking element may still have
plenty of life left, while a restrictive
element may appear clean. Your best bet for
lowest filter maintenance costs and best
engine performance is to follow a restriction
gauge. It's a smart, low cost investment.
 Never leave an air cleaner open longer
than necessary - Your open air cleaner is a
direct entry to your engine. If the element is
not going to be changed immediately, cover
the opening. The only way to be sure nothing
got in is to be sure nothing gets in.
 Don'toverlook a worn or damaged gasket
in the housing - If your cleaner has a cover
gasket, replace it with a new one. Always
check to be sure no piece of the old gasket is
not worn. If your filter model calls for a new
gasket with each use, never reuse the old
one.
 Don't use a dented filter element - Never
install a dented or punctured element,
because it cannot protect properly against
contamination. A dent can make a firm seal
impossible or can indicate damaged media.
 Never use a warped cover on a housing -
Replace with a new cover as soon as
possible. A warped or damaged cover cannot
make a proper seal. Also check to make sure
there is not damage to the air cleaner
housing that could cause a leak.
 Never substitute an incorrect element
model number - Elements may look almost
identical but can differ by a fraction of an
inch in length - difference that makes a
positive firm seal impossible. You're always
better off using the dirty element until you
can get the correct model.
 Should you clean / change air filters by
miles or hours?
 Air filters should be cleaned only by engine
manufacturer's recommendations on air
restriction as measured by an air restriction
gauge. Replace Primary filter after 2 cleanings.
 Will air filter efficiency change during the
filter's life?
 Air
filter efficiency changes over time. Air filters
are least efficient when new; dirt buildup on the
outside of the filter makes it more efficient over
time.
 Isit advantageous to clean Primary filter
before normal service interval?
 No. As mentioned before dirt build-up on Primary
filter makes it more efficient, it should be
cleaned only as per engine manufacturer’s
recommendation on service indicator..
 Canthe filter life be judged by elements
appearance?
 No. A filter apparently full of dirt may have
plenty of life left in it. The reverse may be true
when filter gets contaminated by carbon, which
is not apparent to eye.
 How often should I change my safety
element?
 Safety or inner elements should be changed
every third change of the primary element.
Safety filters should not be disturbed until this
interval has been reached. Safety element should
never be cleaned.
 What is the micron rating of air filters?
 Airfilters are measured on an efficiency basis
over a wide range of particle sizes. Micron
ratings do not apply to air filters
 How important is air filter efficiency?
 Meaning of filter efficiency should be clearly
understood. Air filter with 99.4% efficiency will
allow twice the amount of dust to pass through
than that of air filter having 99.7% efficiency.