ABOUT AIR FILTERS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

The purpose of an air filter is to clean the air for hard particles that can scratch the inside of a motor and for particles that can clog the inside so that fuel and air is hindered to enter, exhaust is hindered to be let out and that the ignition sparks are curbed.

An air filter consists of a box, variously shaped, with an inlet and an outlet for the air to pass before it enters the motor. Inside there is some sort of grid that let the air pass freely, but hols back particles over a certain shape. The grid can also contain chemicals, usually oils, that glue particles to the grid or that neutralizes chemical agents in the air that can hurt the engine.

Most often the grid is a membrane consisting of fibers that are filted or woven to cross each other in several directions.The membrane is shaped to fit into the box and is typically folded many times to maximize the air flow through it and the absorbation capacity.

Most modern air filters have a membrane made of a special paper with the cellulose fibers distributed in such a way and in such a density to let air pass, yet catch particles. The paper is also typically wet with oil to enhance the catching of particles.

The grid can also be made of foamed plastic material, especialy oi-wetted polyuretane foam. Also filted or woven cotton is used in some oil filters

A type of filter often used formerly but nowadays only used for engines applied in very poluted environments. is the oil bath filters. In those filters, the box has an oils ump at the bottom. Over the oil sump there i a labyrint that make the air pass down and up over the oil bath several times. This make big particles come in contact with the oil and there be cought. At last the air passes through a fabric filt that catches the finer particles.

It is an advantage that the filter has a high capasity to lt air through and gather unwanted particles. If the filter is big enough, it can theoreticly last for a few hundreds kilometers of driving, but few cars are fitted with filtesr to last so long. Therefore the filter membrane must be replaced at regular intervals.

There are however on the marked pre-filters to be clothed around the air filter box that take up the largest particles and that can be cleaned for new use. By using such a device, one can extend the lifetime of the air filter membrane. Theese may be an option if you frequently drive in areas with air which is very poluted by grainy particles.

Is Your Air Filter Filthy?

Author: Carol Mitchel


Having your air filter changed at your local garage shop or mechanic could actually cost you so much more than what it would cost you if you did everything yourself. The truth is, changing air filters is easy as counting “1-2-3”. And yes, you would be saving yourself some extra dollars.

Of course, you would have to check your car’s air filter first. You would have to see if you do need to change it or if the air filter still could do its job properly. To check your air filter, make sure first that your car’s engine is cool. You would not want to go checking underneath your car’s hood with a still steaming engine underneath. Pop up the hood. Do not forget to prop it up. Then, make sure that you do have the needed materials at hand. For this activity, you would be needing two medium-sized screwdrivers. There should be one standard screwdriver and one Phillips.

How do you find the air filter? Well, the air filter is generally enclosed in a black plastic casing. This plastic casing is located near the center top of the engine. Automobile experts would describe finding the air filter as trying to locate the largest non-metal assembly under the hood. It would be around the size of a breadbox.

When you have already found it, the next part would be opening it. For this part, you would be needing the screwdriver for this box is actually held together by a couple of large metal clips on the side. Simply slide the flat-dead screwdriver between the casing and the clip. Just pry the casing open and you would be able to open it. However, there are some that really have some screws that hold the box together. If this is the case, then unscrew them first.

Once opened, you will find the air filter inside. It comes with the colors bright yellow, orange, or red. Pull the air filter out. You would see that it is flat, elongated, and would measure about a foot long by six inches wide and would have a height of around two inches. It has been crafted from paper filament and has rubber edges along the bottom.

Hold the air filter up and bend it back. Look inside the crevices. Hold it at arms length and look at it. If you see a lot of accumulated dirt and grime, especially mostly in the center of the air filter, it is then time to change it.


Replacement for your air filter could be easily found at Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts. They offer other auto parts for Land Rover vehicles like electrical engine parts. Aside from offering quality products, Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts also has a great customer service to assist patrons in their various auto parts needs.



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