Hello,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
I was wondering if it is okay to blow out my air filter with compressed air? I have heard that it is not a good idea but no one can tell me why.<o></o>
This pickup gets used every day on the ranch. It runs in dusty conditions almost year round. I was replacing a cracked coolant reservoir today and figured that while I had that off I would replace or at least blow out the air filter. I replaced the air filter last summer but because of the extremely dusty environment that I run it in I thought it would be a good idea to at least blow it out every once in a while if this does not damage the filter. Thanks for your help.<o></o>
Semper Fi<o></o>
Rob<o></o>

 

It is not recommended to blow a filter out with compressed air. The reasoning I got was that it is possible to damage the filter element by doing this. I can certainly understand you not wanting to buy a new filter every year but it's not a chance I would take.

 

Filter will hold app. 3 lbs. of dirt before needing replacement. If you blow it out and it is compromised your looking at a $1,000 plus bucks for the turbo + labor and that's if you don't harm anything else. The filter minders are reliable if not damaged. Go by it.

 

If your looking to save some money you could probally hold the filter and tap on it will a rubber mallet to get some of it out, Here it comes , I know it isn't a great idea, but it will get the loose stuff out.

 

And if any of the dust etc. should get on the inside of the filter???

 

compressed air is very likely to rupture the filter media, at a very fine
level... then you start hosing everything.

if you take the filter out, and put it dirty side down, and vibrate it
so the loose dirt falls off, that may extend it's life.... but there is a lot
of vibration with the engine in service, so don't expect this to do much.

i change mine every 25,000 miles, when i do trans fluid.

 

Iv blown mine out Before Just blow it reverse its gona be OK

 

No offense Benny, It's your truck. I won't take the chance with mine. Fifty bucks vrs. a grand plus isn't good math too me.

 

I would say depends on air pressure, I would proably not use 90-120 lb air like I run on my air air tools. However I have a second pressure regulator I use to bump down to 15-30 lb for when I am spraying paint that would probably not damage anything.

 

I havent blown this one out Im running now its got 10K on it filter minder says good

I had 70K on the other I blew a Ton of Dirt out it (Reverse Blown) but when I changed it MPG didnt go up and Filterminder said Good

So blowing it out really didnt seem to help

I dont think its that bad but I didnt cut the media open I might change my mind if I did cut open and not recomend blowing it out depending what I found

 

Wonder how many Blown Turbo Seals Cheezit & Mike see????

Most what comes here is stuck veins rusted unisone ring

 

I've got 50,000 + miles on mine and the minder hasn't moved but all my driving is on paved roads. At this rate I can afford a filter or two. Bottom line is everyone should do what they're comfy with, what they can afford to include consequences if they make the wrong decision.

 

Sometimes I can't help but wonder if you don't enjoy a bit of an argument

(especially when you're right )

 

That pretty Funney Rusty

My Wife would Agree with you But She would be right I would be wrong even if I was Right LOL

I just think its OK as long as Folks Reverse Blow It and Dont Blow so hard to Jack the filter media up

I blew mine with 120psi from air compressor Filter media OK no damage

It also must be installed same way as taken out VERY IMPORTANT

If it Blown or Installed wrong way then YES all that Dirts headed for the turbo


Honestly the Bottom Line is if the Filter Minder is in GOOD Range The Filter is GOOD and there wont be any Gain from Blowing it out or changing it at this Time

Hit the reset button on the filter minder and check again after you drive it make shure its not stuck and give a good WOT run then check minder again

 

Thanks for all the help and information everyone! And thanks to Fulthrotl for a great explanation of what might happen if you do blow them out.
I just couldn’t see where lightly blowing air back through the filter could do any damage but if it causes micro tears in the filter I can see where that could lead to bigger items maybe working their way through to the turbo. I’ve changed filters and found insects, small rocks and foxtail heads in the front of the filter and I wouldn’t want to see those pass through.<O</O
Thanks again and take care,<O</O
Semper Fi<O</O
Rob