What is an Air Filter? What are the symptoms of an air filter that has become clogged or dirty? What is the location of the air filter in the engine ?….?
What is an Air Filter?
For fuel-powered engines to function properly, they need an air source. The engine’s air source must be filtered and cleaned by the air filter. The engine’s first defense is the air filter. It prevents microscopic airborne contaminants, such as dust, pollen and asphalt particles, from entering the combustion chamber.
For smooth operation of your engine, it is important to have clean air. Fresh air increases engine performance, torque, and fuel consumption. Dirty or polluted air can cause engine failure and damage to the piston rings, bushings, cylinders and cylinders.
What are the symptoms of an clogged or dirty air filter?
The frequency at which you drive your vehicle depends on how much time and conditions it is under. It is often replaced every other maintenance interval due to its low cost. An unclean air filter can lead to a host of problems that will make driving difficult and frustrating.
1. Loss of Engine Power
Air cannot enter the engine if it is too dirty or clogged. Insufficient airflow can prevent the engine from running properly, reducing engine power and causing engine damage. Your car may have restricted airflow if it responds less quickly than usual when you accelerate.
On ramps, the engine power decreases are more noticeable. You will notice a decrease in engine power when you push the accelerator pedal. When faced with such an issue, the first thing to do is check your air filter. You should always inspect the filter with sufficient light. It’s time for a replacement if it appears to be blocked with dirt, dust, or other debris.
2. Strange Engine Sounds
A good engine runs smoothly and works as it should. An engine with restricted airflow can lead to strange sounds due to a dirty air filter. The engine may make a clicking, popping, vibration or jolting sound when it is idle. You may also hear a whistling sound from blocked airflow. The louder the sound, the dirtier the filter.
3. Make sure your engine light is on
A clogged filter can restrict air flow to the engine. This can lead to a reduction in air flow and a disruption of the fuel/air mixture necessary for optimal combustion. If the engine operates in rich conditions, it will produce less air and more fuel. The condition is detected by oxygen sensors and notified the primary computer of the vehicle (ECU/ECM/PCM), which causes the check engine light to turn on.
4. Increased fuel consumption
An indication that something is not right is an increase in fuel consumption. To create power and momentum, the engine mixes fuel and air. If there is less airflow, the engine becomes richer and uses more fuel. A problem in the engine can lead to a car using more fuel.
5. Engine Misfires and Hard Running
Insufficient air can cause poor ignition and fuel not to burn properly. Poor combustion can lead to sooting and damage to engine components. Poor ignition can lead to misfires due to soot deposits at the spark plug tips. Other problems that can be experienced include engine stalling and idling irregularity.
If you have to crank the engine a few times, you should inspect the air filter first.
6. Black Smoke from Exhaust
Exhaust fumes can be caused by a blocked air filter in extreme cases. Because incomplete combustion may cause smoke, you might see blackish or gray smoke from your exhaust. Smoke can be caused by unburned fuel coming in contact with hot exhaust pipes. A faulty fuel injection system or O2 sensors can also cause black smoke.
Air Filter Location
The air filter is normally located in a easily accessible rectangular black box just in front of the engine compartment. The location of your air filter might be different if you have a carburetor car. It is usually found in a box made of metal under the hood.
Both the engine air filter as well as the cabin filter serve completely different purposes. The two filters should not be confused. The cabin air filter, also known as pollen filters, cleans the inside of the vehicle from harmful particles. It is located behind the dashboard or in the glove compartment.
