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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Skunksmash on December 02, 2011, 09:29:54 am

Title: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 02, 2011, 09:29:54 am

I thought of this topic because when I bought the truck, and I did a tuneup, I used a Wix air filter. Which is white. So even though I've probly only put about 7,000 miles (max) on the truck since I got it, the white filter looks dirty. Well it looks dirty to me anyway. Its no longer white its brown. So I thought I'd ask you guys how many miles you go before you usually change yours. I don't live on a dirt road or anything and the truck pretty much never sees dust or anything like that. Not more than you would see just driving through town or on the highway, anyway.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: zieg85 on December 02, 2011, 09:47:18 am

My daily driver, about every 50K miles.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: Da67goatman on December 02, 2011, 10:03:55 am

whenever its dirty.  I check it with every oil change and when it gets dirty, I change it.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 02, 2011, 10:37:23 am

I guess... its hard to know when its dirty when it was originally white. Cause to me, when the whole thing has turned brown, that says dirty. But then again, it really doesn't look like it is going to stop flowing air.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: zieg85 on December 02, 2011, 10:53:11 am

I use a trouble light on the inside surface and see how well the light shines through on my tractors to determine when to change them.  They have foam pre-filters that get cleaned in gas every other cutting and then soaked in clean oil, wrung out and reinstalled.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: firefightin1 on December 02, 2011, 05:16:27 pm

you should get about 10k to 12k out of a air filter.  Also if the engine has an ERG system i would check for leaks as this will "burn" a filter quickly.  Also depend on if it is an open style cleaner or the OEM. 

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on December 03, 2011, 10:33:34 am

For what it's worth, i only got about 3-4K out of the small 3 1/2" mr. gasket filter.  And it didn't turn brown, it turned BLACK.

Actually, that's a good question as i've never kept track.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 04, 2011, 02:28:16 am

I'll try shining a light through there, sounds like a good idea.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: VileZambonie on December 04, 2011, 09:06:09 am

Trust your eyes. If it's dirty you'll know it but replacing it based on mileage isn't the way to go. The conditions the vehicle has been subjected to will determine when to change.

Title: Re: How often you change your air filter?
Post by: mattgood on December 04, 2011, 12:40:30 pm

Check with a trouble light on the inside of the filter pointing out. If the light is very dim replace the filter. Usually check it every oil change.