Air Filters

ImageInternal combustion requires two major components – fuel and air. An average person overlooks the part air plays in the running of his/her car. An ideal fuel mixture has nearly 15 parts of air for every one part of gas. It is important that the air used in internal combustion is devoid of impurities such as dust, pollen, mold and bacteria. Air Filters are devices that remove these impurities from the air before being injected into the engine.

Air filters are usually positioned above the carburetor or the throttle body and secured with a metal lid. The older cars with carburetor usually have cylindrical air filters. These are around 14 inches in diameter and about 3 inches high. The newer models with fuel injection use flat panel air filters. These are encased in plastic bodies connected to the throttle bodies through large hoses. Some cars have conical filters and cold air intake with heat shields to improve airflow into the throttle body. The heat shield protects the intake air from the high temperatures that exist under the car’s hood and improves airflow into the throttle body.

The air filters play the same important part in motorcycles as well. The car’s as well as the motorcycle’s engine needs a mixture of free flowing and unobstructed clean air and fuel to provide it power.

Types of Air Filters in Cars and Motorcycles

Different models and makes of cars and motorcycles use different types of air filters. Older cars with carburetors usually use cylindrical filters where as the modern cars with fuel injection use flat panel filters. Similarly, motorcycles of different make and models may use conical or flange type air filters. Air filters come in three basic paper, foam and cloth types. The paper filters need to be replaced periodically as they have a short life. The foam filters are quite efficient in trapping dust and dirt particles. Itself being 97 percent air, foam allows free airflow. The cloth air filters are very popular with the highly breathe-able multiple layers of cotton gauze trapping the dust and dirt particles.

www.bikebandit.com sells various types of air filters for motorbikes. The EMGO clamp-on universal type filters - 42 mm and 54 mm - respectively for Honda motorcycle models CB650F and CBX1050 sell at a very reasonable $6.93. The same 39 mm clamp-on air filter for Suzuki model GS550 is also priced the same whereas the K&N Dual Flange Oval Universal Air Filter for the same motorbike is priced at $43.17. These washable and reusable dual flange filters are constructed with ultra-strong molded pliable rubber flanges that absorb vibration.

A visit to www.shopping.com will show you a variety of air filters on sale. Filters for more than 40 makes of cars and their various models from different years of manufacture can be purchased. Filters have been categorized in different price ranges: Below $20, $20 - $40, $40 - $50 and so on and so forth to Above $180. Cylindrical filters for carburetor type cars, flat panel filters for the newer fuel injection cars, and the conical filters too - they are all available here.

To get the maximum efficiency out of your vehicle’s engine, ensure that your air filters are clean and unclogged for unhampered flow of air into the combustion chamber. Dirty and damaged air filters will allow abrasive contaminants into the combustion chamber of your car or motorcycle. To ensure smooth running of your vehicles the air filters should be in good condition.

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