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Air Filter
Air contains such impurities as dust, pollen, mold and bacteria. Used
in ventilation systems, gas compressors, internal combustion engines
(such as the cars’) and diving air compressors, an air filter
is a device that removes these impurities from the air. In case of automobiles,
the air filter stops the contaminants in the air from getting sucked
into the car’s engine. To run efficiently, the car’s engine
needs a mixture of free flowing and unobstructed clean air and fuel
to provide it power.
Typically, the air filter is positioned above the carburetor or the
throttle body and secured with a metal lid. Cars with carburetors or
throttle body fuel injection usually have a cylindrical air filter 14
inches in diameter and about 3 inches high. Modern cars with fuel injection
use a flat panel air filter. This filter is encased in a plastic body
connected to the throttle body through a large hose. To improve airflow
into the throttle body, some cars have conical filters and cold air
intake that includes a heat shield. This protects the intake air from
under-the-hood high temperatures and improves airflow into the throttle
body.
Types of Air Filters
An air filter is typically made of disposable pleated paper with a synthetic gasket for sealing. The panel type filter is used on most fuel injection cars and the cylindrical/radial type on old carburetor cars. Different makes of cars come with different types of air filters. Filters may also vary from model to model of the same make of car. Filter manufacturers like Bosch and Purolator stock different types of air filters for various models and makes. A normal Bosch air filter for, say, a Toyota may be available for $9-$10 at any Bosch outlet or at Ebay.
There are three basic types of air filters:
• Paper Air Filter. This filter has a short life and has to be
replaced periodically. Layers of pleated papers, with synthetic gasket
for sealing, trap dust particles. These are disposable and replaced
periodically.
• Foam Air Filter. As per the nature of the material, foam filters
are highly ‘breathe-able’. Foam itself being 97 percent
air allows free airflow. The natural pockets are great for trapping
dust particles
• Cloth Air Filter. Quite popular, it has multiple layers of cotton-gauze
cloth trapped in a ridged form between two wire meshes. This highly
breathe-able material traps dust and dirt particles.
Cost of an air filter depends on the type, make and model of cars. Its
price ranges anywhere from $6 to $ 60 depending on the car for which
it is required. Websites such as www.car-stuff.com, www.safeshoppingnetwork.com,
www.jackssmallengines.com and Ebay, among others, will give you details
of the type of air filter you are looking for.
You must ensure that your air filter is clean and unclogged. Otherwise, airflow through it will be hampered and the engine will be unable to draw in enough air into the combustion chamber. The fuel mixture then would be ‘too much fuel’ and ‘not enough air’ and your car would run roughly. A sufficiently dirty and damaged air filter will allow abrasive contaminants into the combustion chamber. Ensure your car’s air filter is in good condition for its smooth running.
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