Traveling -- Need help with AIS Filter - Diesel Forum

hdblair · 05-07-2008, 08:03 PM

Am at the start of a 6,000 mile trip and having some problem with my new AIS filter! I have a 2002 F-350 duelly (7.3 L diesel, auto trans, TS Performance chip, X-monitor gauges otherwise pretty stock.) pulling a 8,000 lb. 5th wheel. Just before I left on this trip I installed a Ford AIS filter and the TS Performance chip from Beans. Been running the TS on the 40 and 60 hp setting for the past 500 miles. Driving at constant 2,000 RPM. Been driving through rain for most of the day (flat lands of OK and KS.) About an hour ago the "check air filter light" came on. Check the sensor on the filter and it was sucked all the way down. Then popped the top of the AIS housing and noticed the filter was moist! Seems the AIS has been sucking in water (enough to get the filter pretty wet -- not soaked but moist.) Reset the sensor and took out the filter to dry. Am now putting up for the night. Hopefully the filter will dry (tomorrow looks like little if any rain tomorrow.) So my question: has anyone had a problem with the AIS sucking water while it's raining? Is there something missing with my AIS that lets in the moisture? Any suggestions greatly appreciated before I start out again in the morning. Thankx.

brotherxb · 05-07-2008, 10:22 PM

Do you have the Zoo dad mod?

hdblair · 05-08-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherxb

Do you have the Zoo dad mod?

No I do not.

doozer · 05-08-2008, 07:26 AM

hdblair,
last year I had to make a be line from North West Mississippi to Jacksonville Fla. It rained hard the entire way. less then 2 hours in it same thing happened to me. I could only stop temp because my Dad was ill and I needed to get there. I do not have the zoodad. I would stop at a gas station or quick stop take the filter out and pound it on the cement enough to get a lot of water out and put it back in and the minder light would come back on in about 20-30 minutes. I even used one of the vacums at a car wash to suck the water out. After that I just kept on going and once the heaviest of rain went away the filter light would go out. I found that the slower I went the quicker the light would come on...could not help it on some occasions because of bad weather traffic. Have not had problems from it (that I know of) and I havent had the problem since.

In any case I dont think you did anything wrong. Its just a big fat element filter that is able to hold a large volume of water.

**Beast** · 05-08-2008, 07:29 AM

I have the AIS and have never had this problem. I have even gone into deep water by mistake up to the hood for a second and didn't get hardly any in the filter. The snorkel hose should end behind a plastic suppoert/wall next to the radiator. Unless of course someone cut a hole at some time in the past for better air flow.

Did you add the fender wall intake when you did the install? If so, perhaps that is the issue. But, even with that it souldn't get wet like that.

hdblair · 05-09-2008, 07:28 AM

Thanks for the response guys. I let the filter dry out overnight, reset the sensor and put it back in. Drove over 600 miles yesterday w/o any problem. I can tell you that when things where restricted, it sure had an impact on my mileage. I calculate mileage by hand (full, full, tank, etc.) and when the filter was restricted I got 9 mpg. Before and after the problem I am getting 11 mpg.