Ford 6.0 air filter - how long should it last?

[sreigle]

My 6.0 has the filter minder gauge under the hood that is supposed to show the percentage of clogging of the air filter. The truck has over 70k miles and this gauge still shows only between 5 and 10 percent clogged. I read somewhere to expect 75k to 85k miles on one filter if not running a lot of dirt roads.

I'm wondering if the gauge is faulty. The filter is not easy to get off and I doubt I'd be able to see inside the housing to see how it looks. Last time I checked Ford wanted $100 for the filter so I'm not anxious to change out the filter if it's not needed.

Any of you with the 6.0 have any experience with this?

Thanks.

[adelmoll]

Steve, the Ford garage checked ours at 45,000 miles after our trip to Alaska and said that it was still perfectly clean and put it back in. I think your gauge is probably correct.

Bill

[noneck]

Hi Steve & Bill, mine is at 65k and was wondering the samething. Wally world has Fram replacement cost at $65.00 so I was thinking along the same lines...should I look to be sure the gauge is accurate. Figure it somehow measures negative pressure on across filter.
Thanks, Chuck

[illapah]

I had mine in for the 30K service. Supposedly they changed the air filter (at least they charged me for it). I have serious doubts that mine was in need of replacement. The filter health indicator was not showing that it needed replacement either.

[Fordzilla]

The Ford filters are made by Donaldson and can be had for about $50 at most parts stores. My last truck was an '04 and it was never changed while I owned it. I did give in once and took the time to take the filter out just to look at it though. I would hold off until the minder gets worse and just look to pick up a Donaldson filter at a parts store and keep it on hand.

[Cyrus]

At a service, don't remember the mileage the dealer changed my filter, cost $100. I didn't check the gauge so don't know about that part.

They also changed the tranmission oil and flushed it at 30K under the extended warrenty reqirment.

[BigAl52]

Steve
I can get you a filter with a 4 year 100,000 mile warranty for 34.15 from Amsoil if you are interested. This filter is assembled by wix and has the nano fiber in it. That is the same filter media that was used to make a filter for the Abrahms Tank the US armed forces are using. You can also blow out the fiter with light air pressure holding the blow nozzle at a 45 degree angle. Have one in my Dodge and really like it. Al

[bsmeaton]

I figure that flow gauge is about like the oil pressure gauge, reads fine until you loose that last quart of oil! Probably the only way to feel good about it is the old fashion way of remove and inspect.

[sreigle]

Thanks to all. I'll probably hold off awhile.

Chuck, last I looked the Fram filter is not authorized by Ford and has the potential to void the engine 100k mile warranty should a problem be traced to air intake. Apparently the filtering mesh is not nearly so fine as the authorized filters. I'd be shy about using a non-authorized filter at least until after warranty.

The Wix and Donaldson filters were on the authorized list at dieselmann's site, if I recall. So I'd be interested in those but will hold off awhile longer.

I talked with my brother who works for the state highway department. He told me they use the gauge and don't replace until it is at least 80% clogged. Since we run very few dusty roads I guess that's why mine is not clogged.

Thanks again for all the replies and suggestions. My solo mileage has dropped about 1.5 to 2 mpg but I suspect that's the ulsd at work.

[Broome101]

Steve check out this site, i order my filters from them as well as Oil Guard. Air filter Motorcraft $55.00 bucks cannot beat that price.http://catalog.powerstrokeshop.com/p...er1=4C3Z9601AA

[noneck]

Hi Steve, Thanks...for input on the Fram air filter. Oil fiter I use is Fram as well but this one has the same patent number as factory part so must conform to warranty. Anyone know different?
Chuck

[MAMalody]

I switeched to the K & N filter at the recommendation of my Ministry Assistant's husband, a diesel mechanic. Should outlast the truck...it is good for 1,000,000 miles.

[daneboy]

Since my son is an off road racer & I drive in the dust fog watching the race. I have to change my filter more often. I read a test on air filters. K&N was the WORST for filtering out dust. They claim more power with the K&N, apparently it allows more air flow and more dust. I'm sticking with the factory filter.
Jerry

[MAMalody]

quote:Originally posted by daneboy

Since my son is an off road racer & I drive in the dust fog watching the race. I have to change my filter more often. I read a test on air filters. K&N was the WORST for filtering out dust. They claim more power with the K&N, apparently it allows more air flow and more dust. I'm sticking with the factory filter.
Jerry

Interesting. That doesn't match my research. I guess I will have to poke around some more. Can you refer me to your source on the internet?

[sreigle]

Mike, is the K&N an oiled foam? I read where there have been problems with diesel engines because of people putting too much oil on the filter and it gets into the engine. I'm not sure what problems it causes.

Chuck, I don't know about the oil filter. I've been buying the Motorcraft FL-2016 at Walmart since I know it's authorized. I think the dieselmann site (he's a Ford Master Mechanic) still has a list of what is authorized but I'm not sure how current it is. http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/home.html
If I recall, there's also some info there about why only a few filters are authorized for maintaining warranty. It's been awhile since I've perused that part of the site.

Broome101, thanks for the link. I like that price much better. I've saved the link for when I'm ready to change the filter.

[daneboy]

Mike,
I googled all over the place trying to find the air filter test. I couldn't find the side by side test, brand by brand. However there were a couple of web pages suggesting the K&N wasn't as good as OEM at filtering small particles but don't know how reliable they are.
Happy towing,
Jerry

[c5racer]

Dodge says they will void the warranty if you use a K&N.

[Native Tex]

Steve I am sure you have been checking on the K&N, but I went ahead and put the cold air intake on my Ford. In fact, I have used them on the past two Fords. They are awesome and well worth the costs plus your truck will breath better. My factory filters, and that little gauge, are long gone. Check them out on autoanything.com.

[sreigle]

O.V., what's the impact on your 100k mile engine warranty? I'll reach that mark in less than a year from now. We're at 71k now.

[Native Tex]

Steve there is no impact. I have been to the dealer for service and the most said was that I made a wise decision.