Washable Air Filter and Intake Mod , With Larger Breather - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel911 · #1 07-02-2010, 07:01 PM

While I had plans to modify the intake to take Fram WA8039 washable Air Filter I had not planned to do this soon. The job started with me only wanting to replace the Turbo Charger Drain Seals and at the same time flatten out my Oil Pan that the Previous Owner dented by Jacking up the Engine there.

While I was dealing with the Turbo Drain I realized that the Breather Drain was also leaking Oil.

However, when I tried to remove it I found that a Bracket prevented the Drain Tube from being removed being removed and that the upper Nut and Bolt that held the Bracken on were Frozen and had a rounded off Nut on it.

This necessitated the removal of the Turbo. To allow me to use my first time ever use of an External Ezee Outs on the Rounded bolt; it worked fine.

Having the Blow By Drain Tube off reminded me that if I did my Air Filter Mod I that there was a good chance I would have to change the Blow By Drain System.

The area between the Turbo Drain Tube and the Blow By Drain Tube is extremely cramped so I felt that since I had all that stuff off and had bought the Air Filter about 2 weeks previously I decided to do the Air Filter Mod.

With the exception of having to drive around to several Hardware stores for the ABS plumbing parts the Air Filter Intake was relatively easy.; and, I found that the ID of the Air Filter Gripped tightly around the 4”to 2”ABS Reducer Bushing and that connected to a 2” 90 degree Elbow with a short piece of 2” straight pipe on it.
A 2” Hub-less Rubber Sleeve with Hose Clamps had to be shortened a little but worked fine to attach the Intake to the Turbo.

It turned out that deciding which way to go to make another Breather and how I was going to get it to fit was the hard part.
I knew that I wanted a larger Breather and started off trying to use a 4” by 12” section of ABS with end caps on it. But, I decided that it did not fit well and mounting and setting up the Drain would be more difficult; partly due to the Turbo being under that area.
So I decided to stick with the Stock Breather Drain to save me any plumbing issues.

(I also thought about turning the complete Air Filter Housing into a Breather but decided not to as I would have to do some cutting on it.)
So I came up with the idea of using the Cookie Can as a housing for the Breather. This allowed me to use the Stock Breather Drain.
I also needed to pipe the Blow By into the Air filter Intake and did that with a Plastic Nipple held in with JB Weld.

What was accomplished:
I had previously been using a K&N Air Filter (that fit the stock Federal Air Filter Housing) because the Oil from the Blow By was soaking the stock Air Filter Element and shortening the life of it. With the K&N that uses Oil anyway I felt it would continue working and remain usable.

Everyone claims the K&N does not filter well and you need to clean and recharge it with Oil which is an additional expense.

So a possible replacement came along with the Fram Washable Air Filters (I also bought one that is a direct fit for my Van and modified the Volvo for the WA8039 washable Air Filter). It has the good filtration of the Paper Element Filters but can be washed in Dish Soap and does not need to be recharged with Oil as the K&N one does.

In an Old thread on the subject I disproved the “ Hot Air Intake” idea. Heat only builds up under the Hood at Idle. While my Car was moving; even in City Traffic the under the Hood temp is about 5 degrees higher than the outside temp.

Diesel911 · #2 07-02-2010, 07:09 PM

The Breather

MB300Dave · #3 02-14-2012, 07:29 AM

Interesting, thanks for the pix!

Dave

vstech · #4 02-14-2012, 08:22 AM

... isn't that filter paper?

1980sd · #5 02-14-2012, 10:43 AM

Kind of brightens up the engine bay.

StaggerLee · #6 02-14-2012, 12:11 PM

I can't see why that wouldn't work. Better get some Por-15 on that cookie container

mikethezipper · #7 03-04-2012, 11:12 PM

So how did it go? I went ahead and did the same thing myself after I went through 3 mounts and I don't want to have to buy another bracket, just for that one to break as well. I still haven't hooked up my home-made oil separator yet, but... well it is definitely louder (not a good thing), but it actually feels kinda weaker... I am still getting 10psi boost, so is that good indicator that air restriction is not the issue? (I mean, if it can get up to 10psi, then obviously it wouldn't be getting more air with the stock filter since that was what I was getting before), but it just still feels that way.

Are you happy with the mods?

Diesel911 · #8 03-05-2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... isn't that filter paper?

I have not checked this thread for some time.

The Fram Washable Filters are not made of Paper and the part number for them starts with WA.

Fram of course makes a regular Paper Element and they most often start with CA in part number.

Amsoil also makes their own washable version of the Filter I used.

The only thing I would change on the Mod I did is at some Point I am going to get rid of the Cookie Can I used an replace it with something larger.
I still get some Oil inside of the Air Inlet from blowby but at least it is not messing up the Air Filter any more.

Diesel911 · #9 03-05-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikethezipper

So how did it go? I went ahead and did the same thing myself after I went through 3 mounts and I don't want to have to buy another bracket, just for that one to break as well. I still haven't hooked up my home-made oil separator yet, but... well it is definitely louder (not a good thing), but it actually feels kinda weaker... I am still getting 10psi boost, so is that good indicator that air restriction is not the issue? (I mean, if it can get up to 10psi, then obviously it wouldn't be getting more air with the stock filter since that was what I was getting before), but it just still feels that way.

Are you happy with the mods?

I have not experienced any noticable performance difference good or bad.

However, I have no idea what my boost pressure is.

If you want more boost see if you can adjust your Waste Gate. If you cannot adjust it get one of those adjustabel Boost Control valves on ebay for around $13-$15 and hook it between the Wastegat Pressure Hose and adjust it to the Boost Pressure you want.

Diesel911 · #10 03-05-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaggerLee

I can't see why that wouldn't work. Better get some Por-15 on that cookie container

I live in S. Ca. No Snow and no Icy Roads to put Salt on.
So, I am not expecting it to rust out for a long time.

OM616 · #11 03-05-2012, 11:09 AM

And here I thought I had a good idea, lol

I have been using the Conical filter that my Ranger uses, on the MBs I have. The filter it self is like yours, just physically a little different.

I also use a portion of the Ford filter housing and clamp band to mount and make it easy to change the filter.

Diesel911 · #12 03-05-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM616

And here I thought I had a good idea, lol

I have been using the Conical filter that my Ranger uses, on the MBs I have. The filter it self is like yours, just physically a little different.

I also use a portion of the Ford filter housing and clamp band to mount and make it easy to change the filter.

Sorry I cannot see the pictures as there is some issue with my Computer I have not resolved (apparently I can post pictures but cannot see the pics I post).
Also the Filter I used is listed for some Ford Trucks and Vans.

In one of the threads some one used a longer Paper Element Filter. But, In My case the A/C Hose is right up against the Filter I have now; so without relocating the room there would be no room for the Longer Filter.

Fram claims the Washable Filters can be reused 10 times. I am guessing they will last longer than that depending on the Conditions where you live.

I like saving Money and not haveing to toss out an Air Filter.

The first one Washable Air Filter I bought came from Walmart and it was $27. That was 9 more dollars than the throwaway Paper one.

I bought 2 more but had to get them on Amazon (2x $35 shipped free; put one on my Volvo Diesel) because Walmart never had anymore and the local Autopart Stores apprently do not want to sell Washable Air Filters (with the exception of the K&Ns).

Although they carry Fram Air Filters the Local Autoparts Stors would not special order the Washable Filters.

I believe I got the 2 Fram Washable Air Filters that were made to fit my Van on ebay.
The Fram site will tell you if there is a Washable Air Filter for you Vehicle. Once you have the Part Number you can go internat shopping or local shopping.

Because they are not so easy to find I have 2 Filters for the Mercedes and 2 for the Van.
I also think a some point they may stop selling them as the local Auto Parts seem to never have a plan to sell them. Without large orders I believe Fram will drop them or only make the most popular ones.

OM616 · #13 03-05-2012, 07:31 PM

Do you mean that the air filter is washable? I thought you were talking about the Breather filter.

Diesel911 · #14 03-05-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM616

Do you mean that the air filter is washable? I thought you were talking about the Breather filter.

Liquid/condensed Oil captued in the Cookie Can Breather goes down the Stock Breather Tube that I left in place. So nothing so far has built up inside of the Breather that needs changing.

Below is one of the Ads for the Fram Washable Air Filters.

"These Fram SynWash air filters can be cleaned in less than five minutes using a hose end sprayer and mild dish soap. They feature a 430 heavy-gauge stainless steel screen and high-density gasket for increased durability. The main body of the Fram SynWash air filters is manufactured from 100 percent synthetic materials to filter out 99 percent of harmful particles. Designed to perform like new even after the 20th wash, Fram SynWash air filters save you money and keep your engine free from contaminants."

So you use Dish Soap and Water. The instrctions on the Box differs a little from the ones above.
Also you need to note that while you can wash the Air Filter quickly you need to let it dry off. The drying off time is going to take longer than 5 minutes.
That is another reason I have 2 filters for each of the Vehicles I use often. If one Filter is still wet I can simply exchange it for the dry one dry one and be on my way while the other Filter is drying.

I assume the Amsoil Air Filter version is similar.

Diesel911 · #15 03-06-2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM616

And here I thought I had a good idea, lol

I have been using the Conical filter that my Ranger uses, on the MBs I have. The filter it self is like yours, just physically a little different.

I also use a portion of the Ford filter housing and clamp band to mount and make it easy to change the filter.

For some reason I am now able to view the Pics. I hope my Computer has healed itself and I can continue to see them.

I like the Metal Shield; that would be helpful as My Filter rests up against the A/C Hose.
The last time I was under the Hood I removed one of the Nuts or Bolts that held the Hose Bracket down and I managed to get a little more clearence; but, I would like more.

And, the Filter Base looks real sturdy.

It looks to me like it is the same Air Filter; unless they make a smaller one that has a similar plastic Nose on it.

So if you want to go to a washable Air Filter go to the Fram or Amsoil sight and get the part number for it.
I looked today and Amazon had none; but, there was one on ebay for $41; I did not check the shipping charge on that.