OM617a owners, how long are you going between air filter changes?
 

The reason I ask is, the service manuals specify to change the air filter out every 15-30K miles. I had a brand new air filter put in in January 2006, that was about 9K miles ago. I inspected it yesterday, and I was like, woah! That thing is filthy! Filthier than usual, jet black. I was not expecting it to get that dirty that quick. I guess it's because of Houston's daisy fresh air quality.:D How long are you other OM617a owners going between air filter changes?

Filter longevity varies greatly with environmental conditions. Replacement intervals based on mileage are meaningless.

I don't pay much attention to mileage on air filters, I just change it when it's dirty. I usually take a look at it when I need to order parts to see if it's due. I changed mine a few weeks ago, I think it had between 10 and 20K on it.

BTW, sealing the "cover" of the oil separator inside the filter housing with silicone made a huge difference. I used to get quite a bit of oil on the filter, now I don't see a spec of oil on the filter element. Also, did you know the dealer is now getting $49 for the 617 filter. :eek:

I check mine periodically and change when it looks dirty. I changed the one on my turbo and blue euro the other day. The turbo's was dirty and blue's was filled with crusty junk. Pretty gross, probably wasn't changed in 30-40k miles.

Pretty Black
 

Mine is very black inside after 9000 or so miles. However preformance is very good and so I am going to leave it on for another year

Almost a year and 8000miles so far on mine.

Highway robbery. I can find 617 filters for under $20 all day long.

I buy mine from Phil for under $20, but I asked when I was at the dealer a few weeks ago.

I paid $8 for an STP Fed filter for a 617 in a W126. Don't know if the W123 uses the same filter.

I just change mine once a year with the wiper blades each January.

H-town,

I agree with TangoFox, mileage has nothing to do with how long an air filter lasts and same goes for fuel filters. The life depends on how much dirt gets into the filters.

So I test my air filter periodically. I have an on-road test track, its about a 2 mile run mostly up hill at about 50 to 60 MPH.

I check speed and elapsed time at the end of the test run with and without the filter element in the fulter housing. So far I have not seen any significant difference so the old filter goes back in. It has about 50,000 miles on the air filter now.

If the filter appears dirty, I'll give it the air gun treatment and back in the car it goes. If it ain't broke, don't replace it.

P E H

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

If it ain't broke, break it. :huepfenic

that happens to me



i usually check my filters every weekend.. clean out the air filter housing if any bugs get in or w/e.. check the oil and tranny fluid.. wipe down the valve cover.. etc

It's usually not a great idea to open the air filter housing much more than necessary to check the filter, you really don't want any debris in the air intake on a diesel. I don't even want to think about driving one without a filter.

When it appears heavily soiled. :D