Operating principle and purpose of the air filter
The surrounding air contains many dust particles that can enter the combustion chamber. They, mixed with gasoline, are injected into the cylinders and settle on their walls. When the piston approaches places with settled dust, they touch them and pull them down, leaving them in the lower part of the cylinder, which causes them to enter the engine crankcase. When dust moves along the walls of the cylinder, the walls of the cylinder are scratched, which leads to oil entering the combustion chamber and deposits of carbon deposits. As a result, oil scraper rings may become stuck and the engine may need to be repaired.
To prevent this, air filters began to be used in cars, which clean the intake air and prevent small particles from entering the combustion chamber. Such a filter is a filter element in the form of special paper, mounted on a rigid frame that maintains its shape.
The filter element has its life and, sooner or later, becomes clogged. The settled dust obstructs the passage of air, and the gasoline does not receive enough oxygen for complete combustion. The engine develops insufficient power, and the car simply stops “pulling”. In this case, the filter must be replaced.
Another problem with the filter filter is its low strength. Various mechanical impacts exerted on the filter element can also damage it: the integrity of the paper is compromised and tears are formed that allow a sufficient amount of dust to enter the engine cylinders.
The filter element is protected from mechanical stress by the air filter housing.
Engine air filter, operating principle, types, purpose
Today we will learn what is called a car air filter
,
why it is needed
,
what functions
and
tasks
it performs, and also
when
it is necessary
to replace
this important
consumable element of an
internal combustion engine.
In addition, we will tell you about the basic principle of operation
of this part and
why
it was
invented
by automakers.
In conclusion, we will determine which type of air filter
does a better job of
cleaning the incoming air
into
the engine injection system
and has a
longer service life
compared
to
others.
Air filter
- is a simple, but quite important
consumable component of an
internal combustion engine, which
protects the key
components
of the engine from the penetration
of
dust
,
stones
,
dirt
,
insects
and other
debris
that can
harm the stable operation
of the main
components
of the car.
Please note that you should not neglect replacing the air filter ,
but
maintain
this important
consumable item
in accordance with the manufacturer’s regulations and recommendations.
To understand what tasks performs
and
what role it plays
for
the engine,
you need to understand how it
functions
.
We will examine this question in our story so that we have a detailed understanding of this key consumable part
of any car.
Why does a car need an air filter?
Let's note interesting statistics: on average, a vehicle absorbs from 10 to 15 cubic meters of atmospheric air
.
If the consumed air is not cleaned
the pollen
,
dirt
and other
debris
contained in it enters directly into
the engine system
.
And what does this lead to, we hope everyone understands for themselves that it does not lead to anything good. The engine
dirt into it, deteriorates
its
performance
and in the end it will simply have to undergo
premature
, expensive
repairs
.
In connection with this, a consumable device
called
an air filter
, which serves
to protect engine systems
from such troubles.
This part
not only performs
the function of protecting the engine from sources of pollution
, but also ensures
the task of reducing noise
that spreads through
the intake system
of the machine.
In addition, in gasoline engines
,
the air filter
also plays the role of
a temperature regulator of the fuel-combustible mixture
.
That is why the role of
this important
consumable element of
a vehicle engine is simply invaluable.
When in the air filter
begins to
become clogged
,
air flow resistance
increases and
the amount of air
that enters
engine system
.
In some cases or modes, this situation leads to an enrichment of the fuel-air mixture
, consequently to its
incomplete combustion
in the working areas
of the cylinders
, resulting in
an increase in fuel consumption
and
a decrease in engine power
, as well as
an increase in the concentration of toxic elements
in
the exhaust gases of
the vehicle .
Types and types of air filters
Today, filter consumables
are produced
in 3 main structural types
or
shapes
, such as:
panel
,
frameless
and
cylindrical
.
The type
or
shape of the air filter
does not greatly affect
the efficiency of the consumable part
relative to
the engine systems of
the vehicle.
The main relation to the effectiveness
of a given
part
relates to its
type
, or more precisely,
what the engine filtration element is made of
.
These features
are directly related to
the operation of air filters
.
The most common type of material
from which
modern
air filters
are made is
cardboard
.
Cardboard
is the most common and
cheapest raw material
for the production of these
consumable elements of
a vehicle engine system.
The next type of material
from which
replacement motor elements
is
synthetic fibers
.
This material is more expensive to produce than cardboard
, but slightly more
efficient than
its
competitor .
However, the operation of air filters
made of
synthetic fibers
requires more strict
adherence to replacement intervals
.
Quite often at sports
cars install
air filters made of gauze
, which includes about
5-7 layers
of this material.
In addition, the gauze is impregnated
a special
oil
, which promotes
effective filtration of sucked in atmospheric air
from the environment.
Compared _
with
cardboard filters
, in
gauze
,
the initial air resistance parameter
is much less.
The main advantage of gauze air filters
over
cardboard
and
synthetic fiber
is that after
special oil treatment
they can be reused
up
to
3-4 times
.
We recommend: How to change the oil in an automatic transmission yourself: recommendations from experts
When to replace the air filter
To understand when to replace the air filter
in a car, the driver
does not have to
strictly
adhere to
certain
regulations
in order to make sure that
a consumable element
needs to be
updated
, you can simply
visually inspect
this
consumable
element.
To do this, you just need to remove the air filter element from the protective box
and
inspect
it in daylight.
If upon inspection
it is
clean
,
without darkening
or
stains
, especially
oil stains
, then you can drive it further without any problems.
If the air filter is dirty
,
clogged
or
in engine oil
, then this tells us that
the consumable element
must be urgently
replaced with a new one
.
Every driver can easily distinguish a clean air filter
from
a dirty
(
clogged
) one.
Typically, the time to replace the air filter is
First of all,
it depends
on
regulations
.
On average, the replacement interval for the consumable element of the engine filtration system
is
from 15 to 30 thousand kilometers
or once a year.
Before replacing the filter element
we recommend that you look at
the technical documentation
of the vehicle, where
the intervals
and
exact date for replacing
the part will be clearly indicated.
If technical documentation
or
manual
for the car, then you can simply use
the method of visual inspection of the filter element
.
This method
will help when we remember
when the current air filter was replaced
.
Based on recommendations
Most vehicle repair and maintenance specialists
replace the air filter
along with
changing the engine oil
, which, as a rule, is done approximately every
10-15 thousand kilometers
.
We also note that if after a visual inspection of the filter element
we have no questions about its condition, then
replace the consumable part
every other time.
This point directly depends on the specific conditions
in which
is used
or
operated
.
However, in most cases, the air filter is changed annually
or every
10-15 thousand kilometers
.
Regarding diesel engines
, and especially with
a turbocharging system
,
much more
stringent requirements
cleaning
entering
the engine than for
gasoline internal combustion engines
.
Many car enthusiasts will ask the question: “What could this be connected with?” The fact is that this is primarily due to the operating features of diesel engines
.
,
for diesel
cars, and especially with
a turbine
,
the period for replacing the air filter
should be reduced
to 10 thousand kilometers or once a year
.
Replacing the air filter in advance
is the key to maintaining
the reliability
and
service life of the main components of
a vehicle’s engine, without causing problems associated with
premature repairs
.
The fact is that a clogged filter element
cannot
clear the dust
and
dirt
that comes from the road into the engine; on the contrary, they
complicate the functioning of the engine
.
Therefore, there is no need to save on replacing the air filter
, because its
cost
is not comparable to possible
engine repairs
.
In addition, we note that it is strictly forbidden to operate
the vehicle
without a filter element
, as this may subsequently lead to costly
engine repairs
.
What is an air filter housing?
The air filter housing is a structure designed to protect the filter element from mechanical stress and create an air flow that will be directed exclusively to the filter element.
Initially, the filter housing was made of metal and looked like a “pan”. This design was relevant until the end of the 20th century and was used on carburetor cars. In order to save money and in connection with the advent of another method of fuel injection, the air filter housing began to be made of plastic and have the shape of a rectangle. The air flow is now drawn from the lower part of the engine compartment, and the filter itself is attached to the car body.
Of course, metal has enough advantages over plastic and the question of replacing the “pan” due to mechanical damage was extremely rare. With the advent of plastic in the air filter housing, it began to “suffer” much more often. The range of damage is most often limited, as a rule, to melting of the housing caused by high temperatures in the engine compartment and insufficient cooling of the unit, as well as accidental mechanical damage or as a result of an accident. In this case, the housing must be replaced, although there are craftsmen who can repair the faulty element by repairing the minor holes made.
When to change the air filter
The question is ambiguous. There is no consensus. Experts recommend listening to the manufacturer’s advice.
They agree on one thing: removing the air filter and replacing it is mandatory twice a year: before the start of the winter and summer seasons. And this despite the fact that the car is not used regularly.
This is necessary to avoid an increase in fuel consumption, which can increase up to 15%, and to protect the engine from problems with its operation. If you ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations and do not change the element for a long time, the power unit may fail prematurely.
On domestic cars, replacing the air filter of a car engine can be carried out after 10 thousand kilometers and coincide with an oil change.
General recommendations boil down to the fact that replacement should be carried out after 15-20 thousand kilometers. However, these terms are conditional.
Again, residents of megacities who actively use transport change the filter elements of the power unit more often than rural residents or drivers of small towns.
The frequency of replacing the air filter is affected by air pollution, which is concentrated in larger quantities in cities than in villages. The timing is affected by the time of year. In winter, when there is practically no dust, shifts are carried out less frequently than, say, in summer. This time of year there is the most dust in the air.
What signs can you use to determine that it’s time to say goodbye to the old filter?
If it is noticed that fuel consumption exceeds recommended standards or the % carbon dioxide content is high. When the power of the power unit is lower. In these cases, an urgent change of the auto air filter is necessary.
So to speak, a signal that it is time to replace the filter element. Yes, these signs indicate neglect of the element's maintenance. It shouldn't come to this.
It is necessary to periodically change the filter, otherwise you will have to do technical treatment of the engine. Regular maintenance of the air filter will prolong the normal operation of the engine and save you money.
