Would someone explain why, according to the Ford maintenance schedule, some items are supposed to be replaced after a certain mileage or a specific period of time? For instance, Ford specified air cleaner element replacement after 30,000 miles or 3 years. The mileage requirement is understandable, but what magic event happens to require replacement of the air cleaner at three years? It seems to me that the air cleaner elements should last indefinitely until they are dirty enough to replace. Inquiring minds want to know ....
Mileage vs time for parts replacements
- Thread starter Vincent998
- Start date
twobjshelbys
GT Owner
extrap
GT Owner
I dunno Ford's or others' answers, but I think filter material can deteriorate over time. And if it did, it'd get sucked into the engine.
69b302
GT Owner
There are lifetime filter elements that can be cleaned, re-oiled, and re-used. Paper type filters will dry out over time and could fail. This is more of a risk on a boosted engine vs NA, as boosted engines move much more air. Cheap insurance on an expensive engine IMO. Much easier to have a time base spec vs some other flow/structural integrity spec.
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Gentlemen,
A paper air filter element wrapped in plastic in it's box sitting in a parts department will last for decades. Out of it's box and installed in a car its subject to changes in humidity, temperature, and contaminants from whatever driving is done and they deteriorate. A newspaper sitting on the shelf in your closet will last a lot longer than one sitting next to your BBQ outside.
Chip
A paper air filter element wrapped in plastic in it's box sitting in a parts department will last for decades. Out of it's box and installed in a car its subject to changes in humidity, temperature, and contaminants from whatever driving is done and they deteriorate. A newspaper sitting on the shelf in your closet will last a lot longer than one sitting next to your BBQ outside.
Chip
The Grey Ghost
GT Owner
One forum member I know of had a filter come apart and get stuck in the throttle blade at 100 MPH.
At that point, the throttle would not back down.
I have changed mine by age ever since.
Jeff
At that point, the throttle would not back down.
I have changed mine by age ever since.
Jeff
twobjshelbys
GT Owner
Not a fan of K&Ns. There IS a small performance gain - more flow because of less filtering. Why not just remove the filter all together - that will give the best performance. There's a reason why OEMs don't use K&N filters.
2112
Blue/white 06'
FYI, tried to buy a pair of air filters. Dealer told me they have been on B/O since July. Waiting for 450 orders to be placed before production run made. No estimated time of that happening.
extrap
GT Owner
2112
Blue/white 06'
The Grey Ghost
GT Owner
My KC NAPA warehouse use to keep a few. They have also brought them in from other stores when I needed.
There has been a giant back log on filters in general the last few months though.
2112
Blue/white 06'
2112
Blue/white 06'
After I found out that Ford could not supply the air filters, I looked at the equivalents and finally was able to get a pair from Advance/Carquest using the Wix number 42572. NAPA ( FIL 2572) could also get them in a couple of days. Somehow the fact that Ford can't supply such a simple, necessary, and inexpensive item really makes me puzzled.
Johntpr
GT Owner
There are plenty of the Ford Motorcraft FA-1682 air filters on Ebay and also available on Rock Auto.
2112
Blue/white 06'
Johntpr
GT Owner
No, that would be impossible for me to investigate. Just trying to be helpful. Don't buy them if you have that concern.