Changing the air filter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,883
Likes: 3,595
Changing the air filter
Procedure for changing the air filter :
Factory (Donaldson) air filter: FA-1778 or 4C3Z-9601-AA
Most folks agree that the factory Donaldson air filter is the best unit for a stock 6.0L. Many knowledgeable folks that have heavily modded their trucks still have the factory air system (proving them to be capable of supporting 500 hp or maybe even more). The "Relative Filtration Efficiency" is 99.97% (link below). The filter is capable of holding 3 - 3.5 lbs of dirt and needs to be changed only as the filter minder indicates, however you will get a light on your dash panel if you go too long. Most do not find the need to change the filter until 50k miles or more (some have gone up to 100k). The change interval does depend on driving conditions.
Efficiency study:
http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/s...ary/001220.pdf
Air Filter Removal
Air Management System (Diagram on page 11)
Additional Air Management System Information
Factory (Donaldson) air filter: FA-1778 or 4C3Z-9601-AA
Most folks agree that the factory Donaldson air filter is the best unit for a stock 6.0L. Many knowledgeable folks that have heavily modded their trucks still have the factory air system (proving them to be capable of supporting 500 hp or maybe even more). The "Relative Filtration Efficiency" is 99.97% (link below). The filter is capable of holding 3 - 3.5 lbs of dirt and needs to be changed only as the filter minder indicates, however you will get a light on your dash panel if you go too long. Most do not find the need to change the filter until 50k miles or more (some have gone up to 100k). The change interval does depend on driving conditions.
Efficiency study:
http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/s...ary/001220.pdf
Air Filter Removal
Air Management System (Diagram on page 11)
Additional Air Management System Information
New User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: LA CA
I have tried the K&N on mine & while I did see some improvements like a quicker responce on the throttle I will not recomend the use of that unit, it doen not fit wright. I am goin back to the stock air filter but I do recomend changing it every 15,000 Mi becouse it does get loaded up with alot of sand. It seams to help the responce time to.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,863
Likes: 4
From: Airdrie Alberta
Depends where you are and what conditions you drive in, if it is all pavement you shouldn't need to change as often, dirt and sand roads yes you will have to change more often. 15,000 miles is pretty much overkill I'd say.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, fl
I have tried the K&N on mine & while I did see some improvements like a quicker responce on the throttle I will not recomend the use of that unit, it doen not fit wright. I am goin back to the stock air filter but I do recomend changing it every 15,000 Mi becouse it does get loaded up with alot of sand. It seams to help the responce time to.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 1
Good info as always. Unfortunately, the two bottom links don't work for me. I, too, had a K&N in my truck (when I bought it) and replaced it with the stock air box. The inside of the tube and entering side of the turbo were spotless...thankfully.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,883
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Here are a couple of past threads that contain good discussion on the factory air system vs aftermarket:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...endations.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...r-6-0-a-2.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...hy-so-bad.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...endations.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...r-6-0-a-2.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...hy-so-bad.html
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Point of clarification ............
In my link on air system management (page 7),
Additional Air Management System Information
cleaning of the EGR valve is said to be done with brake cleaner and not carb cleaner.
I am not sure why this presentation is wrong, but it is. Ford specifically states to use carb cleaner (PM-3) or injector cleaner (PM-6) and NOT brake cleaner of any kind (will damage the shaft seal.
For the specific reference, go to 1:55 in the video below:
mms://multimedia.ford.com/seopts/Tech_31_250k.wmv
I know this is not related to air filter maintenance, but I felt it was important to clarify and not confuse anyone.
In my link on air system management (page 7),
Additional Air Management System Information
cleaning of the EGR valve is said to be done with brake cleaner and not carb cleaner.
I am not sure why this presentation is wrong, but it is. Ford specifically states to use carb cleaner (PM-3) or injector cleaner (PM-6) and NOT brake cleaner of any kind (will damage the shaft seal.
For the specific reference, go to 1:55 in the video below:
mms://multimedia.ford.com/seopts/Tech_31_250k.wmv
I know this is not related to air filter maintenance, but I felt it was important to clarify and not confuse anyone.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 133
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From: Casey, IL
Mostly highway miles with some dusty rock roads.
Thanks for the write-up bismic.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Here is a video on changing the filter - posted in another thread by Troy Buenger.
I thought it should be included in the Tech Folder thread. Thanks Troy.
http://powerstrokediesel.dealerconne...06/EF_1364.mpg
I thought it should be included in the Tech Folder thread. Thanks Troy.
http://powerstrokediesel.dealerconne...06/EF_1364.mpg
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I have tried the K&N on mine & while I did see some improvements like a quicker responce on the throttle I will not recomend the use of that unit, it doen not fit wright. I am goin back to the stock air filter but I do recomend changing it every 15,000 Mi becouse it does get loaded up with alot of sand. It seams to help the responce time to.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Nice to see how an expert does it. But I gotta wonder, if you are supposed to take all that plumbing loose, why did they do us the huge favor of putting finger clamps on the element?
For those of you with slower internet connections, that video is 39 megs. You might want to right click on it and download it to your desktop before trying to view it. It didn't want to stream for me at DSL speeds.
For those of you with slower internet connections, that video is 39 megs. You might want to right click on it and download it to your desktop before trying to view it. It didn't want to stream for me at DSL speeds.
