clogged air filters

[DGCAT]

Hello,
I have seen issues with the air intake on the 2012 f550 models.
Now that snow is on the ground the filters are plugged after 200km.

Also the intake starts to suck the snow - no need to explain what happens after that.

Anyone with the same issues? Any ideas?

Ford told me not to drive the truck in the winter - that sounds like an excellent idea

[06ram610]

How deep is the snow your driving in?

[DGCAT]

Originally Posted by 06ram610

How deep is the snow your driving in?

It is there average snow depth of a Canadian winter

Usually arofund 5 inches. But even going on the highway is clogging the filter within 300km.

This becomes a real pain

[Painted Horse]

Does your F550 have the same filters that the F250-350s have?

I've driving two going on three winters across Utah, Idaho and Montana with no problems with my filters.

I'm assuming it is the swirling snow that is getting sucked up into the intake. Is it just caking the on the filter and starving the engine for air? I doubt it is passing thru the filter.

Maybe for your conditions you might need some kind of fine screen to prevent the snow from entering into the air filter passage.

[OT]

DG....in past have seen few reports just like yours. Sometime ago, carried winter grille cover (font) for SD. Today, don't know? But, to give u idea (yours not listed?) Winter/Summer Truck Grille Covers

You may already know, but enuf snow or water (sucked in/extreme cold conditions) can freeze a/f. Carry a spare just in case. As mentioned, u could experiment with bug screen across front of grille or improvise some type deflector in front of intake? Good luck!

[DGCAT]

I monitored some vehicles over the last 3 months and find that we are facing a design issue.
The gap between headlight and bumper allows dirt and snow to enter the air intake.
Especially in the winter condition I am finding "puddles" of water in the housing.

So I end up collecting snow while driving on the highway and if the truck idles for a while the snow starts to melt and the truck sucks water.

Ford customer service comment after I blew an engine: "you might want to stop driving the vehicle in harsh winter conditions."

Talking to friends in Nevada they are reporting the same issue with sand and dust.

[DGCAT]

Originally Posted by OT

DG....in past have seen few reports just like yours. Sometime ago, carried winter grille cover (font) for SD. Today, don't know? But, to give u idea (yours not listed?) Winter/Summer Truck Grille Covers

You may already know, but enuf snow or water (sucked in/extreme cold conditions) can freeze a/f. Carry a spare just in case. As mentioned, u could experiment with bug screen across front of grille or improvise some type deflector in front of intake? Good luck!

Thank you for the post.
A winter front would not help me in this case as the snow/dirt is entering the air intake through the gap between headlight and bumper.

The other issue: If I start to apply screens to this area I automaticly japordize warranty with Ford. They are a pain to deal with once in a while.

[gtstang462002]

Originally Posted by DGCAT

Thank you for the post.
A winter front would not help me in this case as the snow/dirt is entering the air intake through the gap between headlight and bumper.

The other issue: If I start to apply screens to this area I automaticly japordize warranty with Ford. They are a pain to deal with once in a while.

Years ago when they came out with the powerstroke 7.3 in '96-'98 there was a heavy service air filter housing that you could buy that changed the housing and the actual air filter design. I wonder if they still have a similar option to resolve this. The little part of the air filter is actually supposed to be a bypass in the event of snow packing in the primary part of the filter.

[gtstang462002]

I am not typically a fan of K&N or any aftermarket air filter for that matter, but would something like this possibly resolve your issue? 63-2582 - K&N 63 Series Aircharger Kits, Performance Intake Kit direct from K&N

[KJ Smith]

Are you guys using the pre filter meant for snow plowing???

[Tony M 6.7]

This was an issue with some model year Duramax also. Knew a few people that it happened to. They had to pull over and clean out the filter to keep moving. Don't know if GM ever found a resolution to this. Haven't had enough snow to see how it affects my SD.

[fixit1070]

Here is a great site to order the new snow plow rated filters.

Diesel-filters.com is your online source for diesel van,truck and van filters and replacement parts

Great staff and they are very interested in hearing about odd ball issues with the newer Super Duty P/U's.

[Bounty_Hunter]

I pulled my air filter to inspect it and found no pre-filter. Are these standard equipment, and where do they reside, if not in the air filter box?

BH

[KJ Smith]

Its the foam filter in the airbox. Its in the bottom of the section away from the fender.

You can reach under the airbox and feel it.

[Painted Horse]

if you look at your main filter, You will see it has two different lengths of pleats. The pre filter fits underneath the shorter pleats. It is a foam filter and mounts in the hole in the filter box.