What happens if the air filter is not changed, but cleaned

Autumn is the time to carry out a good technical inspection of your car in order to break into the winter not with a cable and lighting terminals in your hands, but in comfort and warmth. To do this, you need to pay due attention to all components and assemblies of the vehicle. And, of course, in no case should you neglect such, at first glance, trifles as an air filter, which some people change, and someone recommends simply washing it.

Much depends on the quality of the air that enters the engine. For example, in order for a combustible mixture to burn correctly, it must contain fifteen or even twenty times more air than fuel. So, for example, an ordinary car can consume up to fifteen cubic meters of air per 100 kilometers. Now let's imagine what will happen if this air in a forward flow, bypassing the filter element, enters the combustion chambers: dust, dirt, small particles of rubber - all this trifle can become a serious problem for the engine and car owner's wallet. That is why an air filter is installed on guard of the health of the power unit of any car. In addition, it partially acts as a silencer, which reduces the decibels that occur in the intake manifold.

Air filters are different - frameless, cylindrical or panel. And their filling or in another way the filter element may consist of several layers of gauze or synthetic fibers impregnated with a special oil. However, the most common material is cardboard.

The air filter replacement interval depends on the operating conditions or mileage. As a rule, the filter is changed once a year. However, if your paths often run along dusty primers, then you need to do this more often. In the summer, in addition to dust, the filter has to deal with pollen and fluff. And the fact that it is dirty and clogged will be visible to the naked eye. In general, it's time to change the filter - this is autumn.

However, first let's figure out what will happen if the air filter is not changed. Firstly, the air entering the combustion chambers will be cleaner - a clogged filter protects the engine even better. However, the power unit will begin to choke. Its power will decrease, and fuel consumption, on the contrary, will increase. So, you need to do something with the filter. But to change or can be washed?

You can, of course, wash. Some motorists even use kerosene, gasoline, or even soapy water for this. However, in such care of the car, they make a big mistake. The thing is that, when wet, the filter element swells, and its pores open. And since the cardboard does not have a memory effect, it will dry in a way that suits it. And small pores will turn into open gates for dust and dirt. So if you arrange a bathing day for the air filter, then only dry, using a compressor and compressed air for cleaning.

However, cleaning with compressed air is a half measure. Deep cleaning will not work, and most of the pores of the filter element will still be clogged. Such a filter will not last long, and it will need to be purged again.

We recommend that you part with the old filter without regret, changing it to a new one. The price of spare parts is cheap. And certainly incomparable with the expenses that a negligent car owner will incur, who decides to wash the air filter every time, turning it into a useless piece of paper.