WISE UP
‘Total engine failure,’ warn mechanics of overlooked part that must be cleaned – only 1 in 5 drivers do it
Neglecting the part could mean a costly trip to the auto repair shop
A CAR expert wants drivers to inspect and replace a part that's often overlooked, but essential to keep a car running properly.
After reading this, you should probably check the part on your car.
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Daniel Trock, a writer for automotive content site SlashGear, says there's a part that's often neglected on cars: the engine air filter.
The filter, as Trock explained, is responsible for filtering the air before it's brought into the engine's combustion chamber to be mixed and burned with fuel.
It's essential for keeping dirt, debris, pollen, and even insects from getting into the chambers.
A car's fuel system has a computer that controls how much fuel is mixed with the clean air to run efficiently and effectively.
However, many people don't know that the engine air filter exists, and over time, the engine will have to compensate for a lack of air as it becomes clogged.
"If your car's air filter is clogged up and not letting oxygen in from outside of the car, your car begins pulling more gasoline from the fuel tank to make up for the deficit in the engine's air-fuel mixture," Trock.
It sounds bad because it is - an engine that's burning too much fuel is considered running rich, which has its own set of drawbacks.
"Besides being generally bad for the engine, this also means a greater draw on your car's fuel storage, which means severely reduced gas mileage," he wrote.
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"If your filter isn't working properly, then a full tank of gas won't carry you nearly as far as it normally would."
It can also be bad for the planet, as raw fuel is then pushed out from the exhaust and into the environment.
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Over an extended period of abandonment, drivers can face thousands in damage as the engine tries harder to compensate for the lack of air.
An oxygen-starved engine will try harder to pull air from the environment, which pulls more debris into the filter, only increasing the strain on the engine.
Over time, it could mean total engine failure due to "flooding" from excess gasoline that can't be burned away.
"If the air filter is gunked up and the ratio of air to fuel in the air-fuel mixture gets thrown out of whack, your engine will start getting inundated with larger amounts of fuel as it attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen," he explained.
"Not only does all that extra gas flood the engine and make it harder for the pistons to pump, but the reduced oxygen makes it harder for the spark plug to fire off. This results in an engine that's basically swimming in itself, unable to pump its pistons and provide power to the car."
If maintenance isn't performed, the engine could be destroyed.
How long does an engine air filter usually last?
The exact lifespan of an engine air filter depends on the climate the vehicle is driven in, the typical humidity levels, and the season, but the general rule of thumb is that an engine air filter should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or once a year.
Many manufacturers will suggest that the air filter be inspected with every oil change, which is done every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer.
Negative effects of a neglected air filter include:
- Poor gas mileage
- Reduced engine performance (running rough, loss of power, trouble starting, etc)
- Reduced engine efficiency - increased emissions as a result of running rich
- Engine failure after extended periods of overcompensation and oxygen starvation. This is rare, but it has and can happen with many years of neglect.
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"If the airflow stops completely and the fuel keeps flooding in, eventually, the pistons in the engine block won't even be able to move, let alone pump," wrote Trock.
Aside from the surely expensive tow bill to the repair shop, the damage done could be thousands to repair if the mechanic doesn't suggest a new engine.
Most air filters are under the hood and easily accessible in a large box attached to the air intake leading to the engine block.
The air filter can be removed from the box after unlatching a few clips.
Check your owner's manual to see the precise location of the air filter.
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If you hold the air filter up to the sun and cannot see light through it, it's time to swap out the air filter - it can be done from home with a part that's typically less than $30.
Most auto repair shops will include an air filter inspection as part of an oil change service, though it never hurts to ask to have it inspected.
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