Air Filter

[ernest917]

This virus lockdown had me climbing the walls so I’m doing project after project on my coach!!!

Tomorrow I’m gonna change my air filter!!!!

Been a while (years) since I have and even tho the little “gauge thing” shows some life remains I’m putting a new one in anyway....

Talked to Freightliner and they wanted $378.00..... After I got up off the floor I asked what the filter alone costs - $107.00... It’s a big ol metal thing about 2.5 feet long....

I have already discovered that I can actually crawl under the coach and stand up in the engine compartment next to the air filter.... So that will make it a pretty simple project - HA!!!! HA!!! HA!!! (Don’t you love it when you make a bonehead statement like that)

Shoot, I’m expecting this little project to increase my fuel economy by at least 50%!!!!

[Scrapper]

Stay at home tends to increase fuel economy, too. Filled my trucks tank around the end of January and still have just over 1/4 tank.

[dan-nickie]

I thought Silver or somebody helped you change that air filter a couple years ago?

[ernest917]

No - Superchief and I took it out 3 yrs ago and remove a birds nest and a bunch of other “stuff” from it and I blew it as clean as I could but we didn’t install a new one.....

I believe it’s been longer than I want to admit.....

Since I’ve done all the other things, I’ll do this too and I’ll be ready to head to SD when it’s time....

[gasman94]

Ernest. I was told years ago that the air filter should be changed every two to three years, not because of accumulated dirt, but because of the possibilty that the the glue holding the filter material may deteriorate and fall apart causing internal engine damage. Don't know if this is true, but I change around three or so seasons just to be safe. We travel about 6k miles a year and my coach is stored inside when not travelling.


Rich

[formerFR]

in 100,000 miles, I've changed ours several times, and none of those times did the filter look dirty, even after Alaska's 13,000 miles roundtrip... but I changed it anyway, and yes, they ain't cheap, and they's be very BIG...

[ernest917]

Finally got it done!!!!! Four clamps and of course one was a pain to get to...

Then it was a trick working the old one out and the new one back in...

Really wasn’t the hassle it might have been.....

(Date on the old one was 2013 - oops!!!)

[DogFather]

Must have been pretty darn convenient to crawl under that thing and stand up.

Other than that, any tips/tricks/lessons learned for those of us who haven't done this yet?

[ernest917]

Size DOES matter in this situation!!! lol....

It’s a pretty straightforward procedure on my engine - keep in mind I have the Mercedes engine in my coach....

A Cummins engine may have a different type filter and a different engine placement location....

[Trappfarmer]

The louvered vent on the left rear side of our coach has space enough to allow small birds to get through. You can look in and see the five or six inch hole leading to the air cleaner. Has anyone thought of placing a screen, maybe 3/8” to 1/2” to prevent birds and other critters from getting as far as the filter?

[ernest917]

I bought some gutter screen, painted it black and slid it in place behind the louvers and held it in place with black zip ties....

Been there for a few years....

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by Trappfarmer

The louvered vent on the left rear side of our coach has space enough to allow small birds to get through. You can look in and see the five or six inch hole leading to the air cleaner. Has anyone thought of placing a screen, maybe 3/8” to 1/2” to prevent birds and other critters from getting as far as the filter?

Oscar told us about the fix he used: a magnetic sheet (from Hobby Lobby). Cut the corners to fit the screws, paint it black to match the coach.... and stick it up there! It works great! (Just don't forget it when you start the engine).

[Trappfarmer]

Do you have to pull the floor panel in the rear bath?
If so...how do you pull the floor?

[ernest917]

No floor removal necessary......

I crawled underneath the drivers side rear which put me underneath the air filter (remember - I have a Mercedes not a Cummins). I could reach the filter from there.....