Filter thread

1352 Views 24 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Westphal, 11 mo ago

AeroZ

Discussion Starter · 12 mo ago

Hello again!

It was time for me to replace my van’s air and cabin filter. Was wondering if there are any manufacturers that should be avoided or there’s basically no difference which filter you buy since they’re just simple air filters? For example is there like any difference between a cheap $10 and a $50 K&N air filter?
I currently got and bought a new Blue Print air filter and Hengst cabin filter.

Let the discussion begin.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Sienile

· #2 · 12 mo ago

K&N engine air filters are often reuse-able and higher flow. Not sure if their cabin filters are similar. Never heard of Blue Print, but Hengst is the OEM for a ton of oil coolers and filters, including the one on the 3.6.

Unless the cabin filter is HEPA quality, you're not going to see much difference.

AeroZ

Discussion Starter · #3 · 12 mo ago

Sienile said:
K&N engine air filters are often reuse-able. Not sure if their cabin filters are similar. Never heard of Blue Print, but Hengst is the OEM for a ton of oil coolers and filters, including the one on the 3.6.

AFAIK Blue Print is more common in the EU. Haven’t seen it sold in the US.

Cciman

· #4 · 12 mo ago

Can't cheat physics. Higher flow at same pressure means lower resistance, ie. More particulates.

Depends what is important to you.
On a race car with freq rebuilding, KN is fine. But The amount of airflow benefit in a street car is minimal. Price vs performance.

I'd rather change paper filters more frequently for the better particulate protection. There is a YouTube video by Project Farm that does side by side comparison of various filters.

Reactions: 2

Cciman

· #5 · 12 mo ago

AeroZ

Discussion Starter · #6 · 12 mo ago

Cciman said:

Oh yeah, that youtuber’s tests are so good. I’ve watched his videos before. So I’ve gotten a few replies but no personal experiences and preferences.

vipergg

· #7 · 12 mo ago

AeroZ said:
Hello again!

It was time for me to replace my van’s air and cabin filter. Was wondering if there are any manufacturers that should be avoided or there’s basically no difference which filter you buy since they’re just simple air filters? For example is there like any difference between a cheap $10 and a $50 K&N air filter?
I currently got and bought a new Blue Print air filter and Hengst cabin filter.

Let the discussion begin.

Have always thought cabin filters are dubious at best . It is not like the interior of the car is airtight and the only air is the air coming thru that filter . Go to rock auto and just get one in the middle of the price range of a name filter like Wix, Ac/Delco , Fram , Purolator and it is fine . Most will go at least 30000 miles unless you drive a lot of dirt roads .

Reactions: 2

Sienile

· #8 · 12 mo ago

Cabin filter is mostly to keep junk from clogging the heater core and evaporator. Ever sat in an old car, turned the fan on, and get pelted by dirt and dust? Those didn't have cabin filters.

Reactions: 1

AeroZ

Discussion Starter · #9 · 12 mo ago

vipergg said:
Have always thought cabin filters are dubious at best . It is not like the interior of the car is airtight and the only air is the air coming thru that filter . Go to rock auto and just get one in the middle of the price range of a name filter like Wix, Ac/Delco , Fram , Purolator and it is fine . Most will go at least 30000 miles unless you drive a lot of dirt roads .

Current cabin filter is 2 years old, have gone through about 6K miles. I don’t drive a lot. And it’s pretty dirty. On the other hand the air filter looked pretty good. But since both new filters total like $30 then why not.
I always initially check Rockauto but for the cheaper parts it’s just not worth it to order from there because after adding transport + customs it’s more expensive than finding something locally. And unfortunately Fram and those other US companies weren’t available at that time. Actually Wix was available but I wasn’t sure of it’s quality and if it was worth the additional $20 for both filters. Maybe next time then. But in general OEM filters are not worth the higher price?

Sienile

· #10 · 12 mo ago

Wix filters tend to be too dense in my experiences. I've seen more Wix filters sucked into the filter box than any other brand. It's like trying to pull air through cardboard.

Generally there's not much difference in the majority of brands.

2granddaughters

· #11 · 12 mo ago

I vacuum the cabin and air filter pleats twice a year

Reactions: 1

Jeepman

· #12 · 12 mo ago

2granddaughters said:
I vacuum the cabin and air filter pleats twice a year

Why? The dirtier they are, the better they filter. Ha, ha.

Many times, a vacuuming is all they need. Good decision.

Had a cabin filter in place for 15 years on a 2002 DGC. Didn't know I had one. Air was good, so was fan speed for those 15 years. Ice cold air in the summer and system was never serviced either. There was a mess of stuff on the filter when I changed it. All the pine needles just sweetened the air.

On the 2002 the filter was after the motor rather than before it too.

As for filters on my vehicles today, they are all FRAM products. The FRAM XG11665 oil filter is the best and the
FRAM CF10743 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
is doing its job, apparently.
The Fram Extra Guard CA11050 air filter stays relatively clean from oil change to oil change, doesn't encounter much dust, just vacuum it mostly.

See less See more

Westphal

· #13 · 12 mo ago

Jeepman said:
Why? The dirtier they are, the better they filter. Ha, ha.

Many times, a vacuuming is all they need. Good decision.

I know the same can't be said about pool filters. When ours gets dirty, a lot less water flows through it, maybe as low as 25% compared to a clean filter. Naturally, I can't vacuum it out, but I can clean it with a garden hose to bring it back to full flow.

I've also noticed a significant difference in airflow when changing the HVAC filter for the house. I change it 2-3 times a year, depending on how much it's been running and how dirty the air filter is. I'd imagine the same can be said about the engine and cabin air filters if they get dirty enough.

Reactions: 1

Cciman

· #14 · 12 mo ago

There has been study by Consumer Reports, that it makes no difference to gas mileage whether the air filter is clean or dirty (even significantly dirty). So like many things, we humans overthink and overbias these things. We think it makes a difference, but maybe it doesn't to the extent we think.

Good example is your vacuum cleaner, it may be filthy, but you wouldn't know unless you looked at it- and even then you're surprised that it still works.

2granddaughters

· #15 · 12 mo ago

A clean filter made a big difference back when engines had carburetors but with fuel injection there is little difference as the computer adjusts the air/fuel mixture

Reactions: 1

Cciman

· #16 · 12 mo ago

2granddaughters said:
A clean filter made a big difference back when engines had carburetors but with fuel injection there is little difference as the computer adjusts the air/fuel mixture

But it sells and is easy money - high dollar K&N, then also oil change places and dealers want to sell you a $2 filter for $20.
I buy cheapo Amazon or Walmart filters that fit, and they are just fine.

I use K&N in racecars, but if you ever clean one, you realize how unrealistic they are as far as particulate protection (BARELY) - not good for dusty environments. I cringe every time a car throws up dirt in front of me .

Reactions: 1

Cal T&C

· #17 · 11 mo ago

After eight years of T&C ownership I decided to install a K&N air filter instead of the usual Fram. Only noticeable difference is that the van seems to accelerate more smoothly. No significant change In MPG. Supposedly, the K&N filter has a longer service life which might be a long term savings.

Cciman

· #18 · 11 mo ago

Cal T&C said:
After eight years of T&C ownership I decided to install a K&N air filter instead of the usual Fram. Only noticeable difference is that the van seems to accelerate more smoothly. No significant change In MPG. Supposedly, the K&N filter has a longer service life which might be a long term savings.

Not if more particulate matter can get into the engine.

Reactions: 1

Cal T&C

· #19 · 11 mo ago

I’m planning to go at least 250,000 with the van. I’ll post if there’s an engine failure due to particulate in the engine.

Cciman

· #20 · 11 mo ago

Cal T&C said:
I’m planning to go at least 250,000 with the van. I’ll post if there’s an engine failure due to particulate in the engine.

Did you watch the video I posted above? If you want that motor to "last", that is not the filter to bet money on.

Let me know how you feel about paper disposable filters, after you have washed and dried the K&N filter a few times. Don't forget to re-oil it.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.