Air filter collapsed!

Mr E Green · Jun 8, 2017

Hello folks

,
I was hoping to get some advice. My air filter collapsed and disintegrated this morning, making the disco (d1 1995, auto 300tdi) run badly.

It was a mess when I removed it and less than a month old. Worse still the spare I had in unopened service kit is incorrect size! (in future I'll always open and check parts doh!)

My query is: Should I limp to the motor factors on the old tattered blocked filter or on the new one which is correct width but a bit short.
Or some other temporary bodge?
I am on a farm 10+miles from a motor factor and need this car today as I'm dad's taxi (wife's car alternator died, which isn't good in wet weather running wipers on just battery)

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks

Shimsteriom · Jun 8, 2017

If that filter is just 1 month old, where are you driving... A coal mine?

boguing · Jun 8, 2017

A few miles with no air filter will do no harm on an average day in the UK. If it's raining, so much the better - keeps the dust down.

wammers · Jun 8, 2017

If that amount of crap was picked up by the filter after a month in your area, you may like to consider buying yourself a respirator.

bankz5152 · Jun 8, 2017

Not really LZIR but still....

You'll be fine driving a short distance but keep the speed down, if youre worried grab a pair of the mrs tights and stretch em over the air filter intake or housing which ever is easier. That will at least keep the big **** out

The way thats collapsed looks like its drawn in some silty mucky water, that or you've driving through a dust storm made of coal.

Mr E Green · Jun 8, 2017

It's sooty isn't it? The previous filter did the same but I'd had it in longer, then it collapsed after playing on green lanes

I'd put it down to that, but I haven't been anywhere dirty this last month.
One thing I found today is the pipe from the wing to airbox (In Pipe) isn't sealed to the wing.
Could engine bay air be dirty enough to do this so quickly ? I mean I've seen 3 year old filters looking better than my 3 week old one

wammers · Jun 8, 2017

Mr E Green said:
It's sooty isn't it? The previous filter did the same but I'd had it in longer, then it collapsed after playing on green lanes

I'd put it down to that, but I haven't been anywhere dirty this last month.
One thing I found today is the pipe from the wing to airbox (In Pipe) isn't sealed to the wing.
Could engine bay air be dirty enough to do this so quickly ? I mean I've seen 3 year old filters looking better than my 3 week old one

Looks like you have been on black lanes not green ones.

Mr E Green · Jun 8, 2017

Thanks folks, I didn't know if i could drive and my pregnant labrador also has to go to the vet, as well as dads rural taxi. Ok maybe not LZIR sorry, but I I needed a solution (and I'm a noob) .

Personally I feel Rescued so many thanks.
I'm thinking I'll put the 'wrong' filter in to catch the main of it and maybe some tights over intake.

If this wasn't from engine bay muck, it certainly could be from water if that's a possible cause? I'm in north lincs and do 90% rural miles. Anyone that knows lincs will know that means the nearside of the car is in permanent puddles/potholes. We've had plenty rain too

Thanks again

bankz5152 · Jun 8, 2017

Yes as I said in an earlier post. It looks like the air intake has drawn in a lot of mucky water. Which causes the air filter to block but the turbo is still sucking in air which makes it collapse

Dippypud · Jun 8, 2017

Water has caused that, whether it has been drawn in through the intake or dribbled in through the seals may need further investigation ...

Mr E Green · Jun 8, 2017

My mk1 paj never did this but the airbox is other side.

The seller of filters is sending me two coopers ones which are better than the cheap ones i originally ordered, so that'd good news.

I can afford new tights for the Mrs now

lynall · Jun 8, 2017

I think you must be one of the few people in the UK who would actually benefit from having a snorkel fitted.
Has the air filter box been modded in anyway. ie is the trumpet still there?

mr glee · Jun 9, 2017

Have you checked to see if your nsf arch linner is still there or fitted snug. mine fell off so the spray from the tyre gets sucked into the intake soaking the filter

ifloochies · Jun 9, 2017

Shimsteriom said:
If that filter is just 1 month old, where are you driving... A coal mine?

This was the norm for me a while back, with the driving conditions in my part of the World and all. With mine, it was usually the case where 'if the whistle of the turbo sounds louder than usual, the filter is coming apart!!'....and that happened on an average of about five times a year.
Switched to those slightly more expensive MANN filters with the wire mesh across the surface, and the filter still does still get clogged, but doesn't come apart like the britpart ones used to.

wammers · Jun 9, 2017

It may come as a shock to some, but paper filters are not designed to filter out water. Can anyone think of a reason why people who go splashing around in H2O fit snorkels.

Mr E Green · Jun 9, 2017

Thanks folks
I think the air box etc is all standard, though not sure what the 'trumpet' is.

My wheel arch lining is intact but I'll investigate that further.
The intake isn't sealed to the wing though, is it meant to be?

Also noticed that the exhaust wasn't sealed properly so I'm belching sooty exhaust into the engine bay.
So my intake is partially breathing exhaust, partially what Lincolnshire throws up my arches

... And if I have to use this as justification to the wife for fitting a snorkel, so be it

raywin · Jun 9, 2017

If it is due to pulling in water then paper filter elements are only one of your problems, if that gets pulled into the cylinder you will really hear some rough running, but not for long.
Might be an idea to check the inter-cooler and see if there is any water in there, but make a full check of the intake and stop the water at source.

Mr E Green · Jun 9, 2017

I will check the intakes and intercooler, better safe than sorry. But I've not done any wading, just wet roads.
Briefly on water etc getting in where it shouldn't, am I supposed to have a plug in the flywheel housing during normal operation? My manual suggests so

raywin · Jun 9, 2017

Mr E Green said:
I will check the intakes and intercooler, better safe than sorry. But I've not done any wading, just wet roads.
Briefly on water etc getting in where it shouldn't, am I supposed to have a plug in the flywheel housing during normal operation? My manual suggests so

Its usual to leave the bell housing plug out unless you intend to do some wading, it stops any build up of oil which might find its way into there from a slight leakage.

neilly · Jun 9, 2017

Mr E Green said:
, am I supposed to have a plug in the flywheel housing during normal operation?

Also, have you got a second one in the timing case? My 90 manual does . I would assume the Disco auto has the same.....

I personally leave them in, but do take them out on regular checks to make sure that are clean and no oil is inside the case. However, If you are not going to wade, then take them out and keep them safe just in case.

Cheers

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