Air Filter

[boonedawg]

10k now on my o6 SD. When is a good time to change the air filter on these diesel's and what aftermarket do some of you use. I do some towing, very little dirt road driving and trips to our deer lease. I am new diesel owner and love it so I want to keep the beast in tip top condition.

[diegojimc]

I have a 05, gotta love it.
Check the filter minder attached to the filter intake tube. Don’t know about the 06’s; but on the 05, there is a warning light that tells you the filter is clogged.
The stock filter is a good filter may last you a while longer. I’d wait till its time to change the filter before installing after market. The stock filter is pricey and why wast a good filter
I run afe. I have the afe yellow colored pro guard 7 for off road use and the afe blue filter for street use, I do a lot of off roading in the summer.
The stock filter is a 1-micron filter.
The yellow filter is a 1-micron filter with twice the airflow of the stock
The blue filter is a 3-micron filter with 3 to 4 time the airflow over stock. Yellow will improve performance the blue will give you the best performance. If your not in the dirt allow go with the blue.

[NCfarmboy]

I choose to run the stock filter, and I changed it at 50k miles. Some would say that I waited too long, but at 50k, it still didn't look dirty, and the filter minder didn't even budge. That said, I think that your filter would have to be completely clogged for the 'minder' to move. Many folks suggest sticking with the Donaldson filter (which comes stock in the truck) that has the blue filter media. I purchased mine through the dealer for around $60 - which was cheaper than a Fram from Autozone. I would suggest waiting until about 30k and then check the filter, and replace then if you want to. Good luck!

[OMCUSNR]

[ QUOTE ]
10k now on my o6 SD. When is a good time to change the air filter on these diesel's and what aftermarket do some of you use. I do some towing, very little dirt road driving and trips to our deer lease. I am new diesel owner and love it so I want to keep the beast in tip top condition.

[/ QUOTE ]

The manual says 30k in normal conditions. The Donaldson designed OEM filter is one of the things they really got right with the 6.0. Its huge & holds alot of crap, while providing good flow for a stock truck. Its a bit of a pain to replace, because its a tight fit, but at 30k, thats about every year & 1/2 for me. Most of the filter guys will tell you to let it go till the dash light comes on. There is a heated debate over how effective the filter minder is, but until the truck starts to bog a bit or your fuel economy goes down, you have good filtration & adequite flow.

Now - how much money do you have and what OTHER modifcations do you want to do? The only real reason for an aftermarket filtration system is to provide more air. This is useless to a stock truck. If you tune the truck and add bigger injectors, then you would see a benifit to an AM filter. If you just want "cool looks" thats ok, but you won't see any real benifit over the OEM. Also note, that any mods to your truck, can cause problems with warranty claims (even the exhsuat, though it is very rare). If you bolt it on, you have modified it from the original factory configuration, and are responsible for any problems it causes.

My 6.0 does me fine in its stock configuration, and I haven't been able to justify a decent ROI on any of the Mods most people do. Real gauges are the 1st "mod" I'd consider - probably EGT, Boost & Trans temp 1st, then some specialties like oil pressure, fuel pressure, rear diff temp, etc. AFTER the gaueges, if you tow heavy, in terrain, go with a 4" exhaust (or if you like a louder truck). You must by federal law, leave the CC in place. If you want better "economy", your best bet will be a tuner, but, it'll be a marginal increase, and may take awhile to pay off.

[boonedawg]

Thanks to all for the help. I do not plan on any mods. so I guess I will stay with stock when the time comes, not into looks, into function and practability. Thanks again to all, I am a newbie and I am learning a lot on this site.

[diegojimc]

If you want to read a completed thread on this subject, do a search using
“Should I install an aftermarket intake?” it' on page 7
The air filter question was dissected and picked apart and a conclusion reached. If you want the short version, use the following links. sorry cant get them to hyper-link you need to copy & paste.
Dyno charts:
http://www.afefilters.com/images/54-10392.pdf
http://www.afefilters.com/54-11022pr.htm
http://www.afefilters.com/images/54-11022npa.pdf
http://www.afefilters.com/images/54-11022HP.jpg

[07stroker]

I'd change it at 30-35k.The filter minder is great but can be reset by accident by anyone under the hood and mine was clogged at 34k on my 04 and the minder or light didn't register.Prob. could've waited till light came on anyway but peace of mind.Anyway I wouldn't trust the filter minder.

[diegojimc]

[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't trust the filter minder.

[/ QUOTE ]

It seems to be the center of controversy these days.

Does any one know if there is a replacement after market sending unit that can be used to replace the filter minder and still use the factory wire harness to the indicator light?

[diegojimc]

On the same subject, I have been trying to find a after market airflow sensor and gauge set up to monitor airflow past the filter. I have had no luck. Is there such a critter, if so, where can I get one?

[ritschner]

You can install a air filter restriction gauge. They are used in a lot of over the road tractors. Donaldson Part number X002730 or Stewart Warner Part number 82384 are a couple of examples of a 2 1/16 gauges that you can mount in the cab. Donaldson also makes replacement filter minders, you just need the one rated for 25" H2O part number X002252.

[diegojimc]

Thank you, do you know if the 25" air gauge will work on afe intake stage two?

[ritschner]

Yes it will. The gauges are mechanical and require you to tee or tap in a 1/4 inch line some where between the air filter and the turbo-charger and run it into the cab to the gauge. You can even remove the filter minder and use a reducing adapter plugged into the filter minder grommet.

[diegojimc]

Thank You again.