Dust injestion through Air Filter

[cjc_td5]

Throughout ownership of our 2003 D2a TD5 we have had several instances of dust apparently getting through the air filter element and entering the engine. The usual tell-tale sign is dust on the plastic grating of the inlet tube on the downstream side of the filter box, seen when you remove the top of the air filter box. The paper elements are replaced usually at each service (10k). I have even tried an aftermarket "finer filter" washable element but this was no better than the OE element. The air box is sealing correctly as I have tested this with vasoline around the edges etc.

It seems that the design of the intake in the inner guard loads excessive dust into the filter box. Have others found this to be an issue??

We have a TJM bullbar fitted but I cannot see an obvious fault that this provides.

I know the obvious answer is to fit a snorkel. Seems an extreme solution to an obvious factory fault.

I have liaised with LR several times about the problem. They have provided me with a letter stating that they will contribute to fixing of any future engine faults caused by dust injection.

Your collective thoughts???

Chris

[Winaje]

Definitely fit a snorkel.  I fitted one myself about 4 years ago, and it's reduced the dust intake a lot.  I do most of my driving in the city, but have still noticed a difference in the amount of crud that gets collected in the filter housing.  I get less dust but more bugs.  If you really want to reduce it even more, fit a cyclone style pre-cleaner on top of the snorkel; I think they are called Donaldson Turbo, or something similar.  There is a Donaldson that self cleans for about $150 when I checked last.  Fit the genuine Land Rover snorkel; it's made by Safari, but has the Land Rover symbol on it and costs less that then Safari one.

[dm_td5]

I would recommend you check the filter box isn't warped or not sealing on the air filter.  I can't think how to do that but getting a snorkel wont necessarily prevent any dust getting around the filter if the element doesn't form a correct seal.

Like Will said you get a much more noticable amount of rubish in the air filter from raising the intake.  If you do a lot of dirt road driving then a Donaldson pre-cleaner is a must.  They are noisy but you will save on filter changes by a magnatude of about 5.  The standard Donaldson pre-cleaner is about  $70 from ARB stores and elsewhere.

[cjc_td5]

I am pretty sure that the filter box seals and that there is no bypass of the filter element. I have placed vasoline around the top of the filter element and when replaced and removed, there is a vasoline smear around the filter box top edge.

The more I investigate I think that the bullbar fitment is the main culprit. When the TJM dealer fitted the bar, they or course removed the OE front bumper and "modified" the inner guard plastic liner.  My guess is that the filter is now drawing air primarily from the wheel arch itself, rather than from, I presume, the front headlight, grill area. This of course is about as dust air as you could get, and is quickly overloading the filter.

I know of a 99 D2 TD5 that lives on a farm and uses gravel roads every day. They still have the factory front bumper. They have had no air filter issues, they last more that one service and have no bypass.

The bullbar fitment was a farce from the beginning. The dealer had no idea and it actually took me to come across a D2A with a TJM bar in the street to see how it should have been done. I had to correct the bottom protector plate and tow hook myself. It would not supprise me that they stuffed up this aspect as well.

Your thoughts?

[Winaje]

Well Chris, if nothing else the different front bar will change the air flow in the area.  I reckon that it's very likely the bar as well.  Go the snorkel route.

[dm_td5]

I agree go the snorkel route.  The other thing they may have removed is part of the front plastic lining of the wheel arch.  When I put my ARB bar on I left this of.  If its missing you can see the water bottle easily.

If the filter is overloading it should start to disintergrate or hole as the engine tries to suck air through it.

I only have a maximum of around 30km of bituman roads and everything else is dirt (well more like mud at present) and haven't had any dust problems with the D2a, but I've always had a snorkel since new.

[tempestv8]

I'd avoid any foam filters altogether as they don't trap dust properly.

With the paper filters, I'd stick with the genuine LR item (made in Germany) as the aftermarket paper filters do not have as much filtration surface area - just count the number of folds on the aftermarket paper filters.

Also, do not use compressed air to blow out dust in the paper filter - this is not a good practice to extend the life of the paper filter.  Only tap the paper filter to get the dust out, never use air!

[discoeverywhere]

any more news on this problem? I have the same problem and have a snorkle as well as a K&N oiled filter?