6.4 Air Filter

[timid1]

Originally Posted by bigdawgkp

So what's the problem?

People insist on a specific frequency of maintenance, completely disgregarding recommendations specified by the manufacturer in the user's manual. As stated, air filters don't have a specified frequency of replacement like oil and fuel filters. Some people drive in more severe environments which might be why the original poster is on his 4th air filter.

[Blue Water Runner]

If you maintain your vehicle personally that is fine. When you refer to dealers as being thieves that is not fine. If you had all the overhead that a dealer has in order to keep the doors open and the lights on you may not feel that way. Most dealer that are successful in the market place are competitive on prices.

Over-maintenance if fine if you prefer to make the OPEC nations richer by changing oil prematurely. You complain about the price of OE parts but you buy them more often than required and most of the aftermarket parts do not meet the specs of the OE parts. That is somewhat a waste of money in my opinion. Use the filter minder. It works. Follow the owners manual on maintenance. Some dealer will compete on the price of parts.

[CaptSkup]

Seems some of the posters are a bit confused. The original poster of this thread ask the question in regards to the "air filter", not the fuel filter(s) nor the engine oil filter. Changing out the engine intake air filter at 10,000miles is a total waste of money "unless" you are driving in complete dust bowl conditions. I do my own servicing primarily because I am a cheap bastard and also the tasks are so simple. Now about that exterior transmission filter that the Job1's came with, I see I need to order the special wrench, and find out if I can update my truck to the Job2 post internal filter design.

[Captcaper]

Remember the posts last winter about snow getting into the air filter and clogging it up? Also I bet rain can get in there too driving at highway speeds with heavy rain. Probably takes a while to dry out.

Going by the pop out gauge isn't reliable.

[Blue Water Runner]

Originally Posted by Captcaper

Going by the pop out gauge isn't reliable.

Never heard a problem with rain/snow getting in a 6.0 filter. The filter minder works. This a real air filter system not a wimpy stock 7.3 setup.

[timid1]

Originally Posted by Blue Water Runner

Never heard a problem with rain/snow getting in a 6.0 filter. The filter minder works. This a real air filter system not a wimpy stock 7.3 setup.

That's fine, but this is a discussion about 6.4's. Thing is, I fully believe that the filter minder works. I've been arguing all along that Ford trucks are wonderfully designed manufactured pieces of machinery that no one but Ford understands. They designed it, they know whats best. They picked THAT part and designed the filter minder THAT way because you said it.... it WORKS.

I used to want to change things. Just because I could. Now, I need a reliable truck that can get me to where I need to be especially because it's my daily driver! I'll use the filter minder to watch the filter, and if the computer complains before my filter minder, I'll replace it. No harm either way. Today's trucks, I've heard.... are smart enough to adjust the fuel-air ratio in the case where the filter is clogged.

[JW350]

Originally Posted by torino73

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned the importance of buying the blue media air filter over the white.

Blue is water resistant, correct?

[Blue Water Runner]

Originally Posted by timid1

That's fine, but this is a discussion about 6.4's.

Never heard anything on the 6.4 either.

[Captcaper]

Originally Posted by Blue Water Runner

Never heard anything on the 6.4 either.

Last winter there were lot's of posts on air filter clogging with snow. That's why Ford has given us grill covers living in states on their list. Other wise you have to buy one. Mine came with one.

Ford has a TSB on this clogging of the filter. Mine clogged up too with in a light snow storm. My 7.3 never did in many kinds of bizzards out plowing Interstates ramps and Junctions for Ma. Highway.

[bnmccoy]

Originally Posted by bnmccoy

........the manual says to inspect the gauge at mileage intervals ......to determine if filter change is required. Also states to inspect the gauge and not depend on the dash message.

When the filter has enough gunk in it to draw enough vacuum to indicate it is plugged then it is time to change the filter. If the gauge indicates it is plugged you need to reset the gauge to verify same as if driving in snow or heavy rain the gauge can indicate a problem that will go away once it drys out. .........

The filter minder is reliable. These engines use so much air (to burn all the fuel to reduce soot) they are sucking snow and rain which will cause the filter minder to show the resulting vacuum and falsely indicate the need to change the filter; which is why the manual says to reset the filter minder and verify the condition.

Ford should have done a better job with an inlet that would separate the moisture before it could get to the filter.

My filter minder will get tripped after just about any driving in snow, sleet, or rain.

Bob

[Captcaper]

I would think are fuel mileage would go down when it is clogged enough to trip the minder. My filter was full of ice on one check.
I will have another to swap with when this happens this winter as it can go months staying below freezeing here. It would never thaw out in the truck.