Use surgical mask as car air filter?

[jobin]

Yeah, i messed up.  Took out the old air filter, a wide flat paper accordion thing.  Had never seen one before like that.  Really did not know it was paper, thought fiberglass or ??  So i washed it in water = bad news.  Took a long time to dry and now it does not fit well.  

The intake tube is up front, which feeds below the sealed paper filter, then out to the engine. Could i take a surgical mask, connect the 2 tubes with the mask between and filter my air?  Seems OK to me but others may know more.

 

It's a 20 yr old fuel injected, 1600 cc engine.

[lemonjelly]

You're better off running it with no filter (for a short period) rather than running the risk of having bits of paper face mask being sucked into your cylinders; I doubt it'd either be sturdy enough or allow enough air flow, not until it's been ripped by the suction that is.

[DavisH]

Probably a place like b-quik could source an filter, especially if it an old toyota or honda. It should be ok to drive a short distance with no filter, especially in the wet weather which reduced dust particles floating around. Once in my honda my plastic air intake pipe cracked. It must have been like it for a little while. I only guessed something was wrong when I seemed to gain power from the better air flow. lol.  

 

There is also the k&n filter option. These need a special oil you get with the kit. They are costly (2000-3000 baht), but I've used them in my cars. The one in my honda has been good for 12 years. I clean and re-oil it occasionally. It may not be worth it on an old car though.

[Coremouse]

Suppose a JDM car, there're lot of 20yrs old outta there in Thailand, so it's very easy to get new parts(in Bangkok go Vorajak)

 

before air filter thing addressed, I'd remove the filter box & left intake hose open underhood, minimise the risk of incoming debris. not a big issue,  some guys run open intake or trumpets, never heard a problem

like other said, suppose a rare car there're KN filters & other OEM filters available, some may need new hose or adapter, many are washable. 

[transam]

Forget the face mask, if suction pulls it in you may have a big problem.

 

If me I would find a piece of fine mesh and tape it over the box inlet until you locate the correct filter, this will not filter anything but will stop any big stuff causing a prob. If you continue to use the car keep rpm to a minimum...

[transam]

Unless you washed it off your old filter will have a part number on it, take it to a main agent to order one...

[sotsira]

You could take the old filter to a spare parts shop and see if you can get a same size 

one matched, even if you find one slightly larger you could easily cut it down with a

pair of scissors to fit. 

[gdgbb]

5 hours ago, DavisH said:

 Once in my honda my plastic air intake pipe cracked. It must have been like it for a little while. I only guessed something was wrong when I seemed to gain power from the better air flow.

 

Yeah, right.  That crack must have provided a huge increase in airflow/power for you to be able to feel it. 

[DavisH]

1 hour ago, gdgbb said:

 

Yeah, right.  That crack must have provided a huge increase in airflow/power for you to be able to feel it. 

The pipe was basically split in half and not hanging on by much. It was split right near the intake manifold and was bypassing the air filter. I tied an old t-shirt around it and took it to the dealer. Was surprised they had a new part for a 12 y.o car. I only noticed a (small) difference in power under hard acceleration from standstill and knew something wasn't normal. 

[Coremouse]

17 hours ago, DavisH said:

The pipe was basically split in half and not hanging on by much. It was split right near the intake manifold and was bypassing the air filter. I tied an old t-shirt around it and took it to the dealer. Was surprised they had a new part for a 12 y.o car. I only noticed a (small) difference in power under hard acceleration from standstill and knew something wasn't normal. 

 

For generic Hondas Toyotas, getting parts are easy enough

There's experiment video on youtube, most stock air filter will eat a tiny bit hp, irrelevant whatever intake geometry

[jay1980]

if you cannot find a suitable direct replacement panel airfilter you might be better off fitting a universal one like this:

 

http://www.lazada.com.ph/hks-universal-mushroom-air-filter-63mm-super-power-flow-6126521.html

 

you tube video shows basic instuctions of how to fit one:

 

 

[cooked]

I once used a nylon stocking as a temporary filter. it worked.

[Gary A]

I have noticed that the dealer removes the air filter and blows it out with compressed air at a regular service. I find it much easier to have the dealer replace the filter at the recommended intervals. I much prefer OEM parts than cheap knock offs. This especially applies to oil filters. I wouldn't want to see a roll of toilet tissue used as an oil filter.

 

The same with engine oil. The dealer has what the manufacturer recommends. Yes it's more expensive but at least for me, it gives me peace of mind.

[BSJ]

48 minutes ago, Gary A said:

I have noticed that the dealer removes the air filter and blows it out with compressed air at a regular service. I find it much easier to have the dealer replace the filter at the recommended intervals. I much prefer OEM parts than cheap knock offs. This especially applies to oil filters. I wouldn't want to see a roll of toilet tissue used as an oil filter.

 

The same with engine oil. The dealer has what the manufacturer recommends. Yes it's more expensive but at least for me, it gives me peace of mind.

Save yourself some money and buy a Corner air or oil filter next time.  Corner is a good brand.

[gdgbb]

20 hours ago, DavisH said:

The pipe was basically split in half and not hanging on by much. It was split right near the intake manifold and was bypassing the air filter. I tied an old t-shirt around it and took it to the dealer. Was surprised they had a new part for a 12 y.o car. I only noticed a (small) difference in power under hard acceleration from standstill and knew something wasn't normal. 

 

How could you "notice a small difference in power" from a broken air intake?  You couldn't, because the damaged intake would probably not be producing extra power, and it is much more likely that power was reduced. 

 

It's very doubtful that any power increase would be noticeable from a driver's perspective if it were, say, less than 10bhp, and the only thing that an intake system that is falling apart would produce is an increase in noise under acceleration, and more noise doesn't mean more power. 

[transam]

2 hours ago, Gary A said:

I have noticed that the dealer removes the air filter and blows it out with compressed air at a regular service. I find it much easier to have the dealer replace the filter at the recommended intervals. I much prefer OEM parts than cheap knock offs. This especially applies to oil filters. I wouldn't want to see a roll of toilet tissue used as an oil filter.

 

The same with engine oil. The dealer has what the manufacturer recommends. Yes it's more expensive but at least for me, it gives me peace of mind.

OEM batteries......

[Gary A]

1 hour ago, transam said:

OEM batteries......

 

Batteries are batteries. I normally don't buy a second battery from the dealer. I did buy a battery for my Ford Focus from the dealer because the first one lasted five years and I didn't want to have to bother with resetting electronics.

[DavisH]

5 hours ago, gdgbb said:

 

How could you "notice a small difference in power" from a broken air intake?  You couldn't, because the damaged intake would probably not be producing extra power, and it is much more likely that power was reduced. 

 

It's very doubtful that any power increase would be noticeable from a driver's perspective if it were, say, less than 10bhp, and the only thing that an intake system that is falling apart would produce is an increase in noise under acceleration, and more noise doesn't mean more power. 

Right whatever..

[ClutchClark]

5 hours ago, Gary A said:

 

Batteries are batteries. I normally don't buy a second battery from the dealer. I did buy a battery for my Ford Focus from the dealer because the first one lasted five years and I didn't want to have to bother with resetting electronics.

 

I haveto tak exception to this claim...car batteries are not all the same in quality.

 

In fact, there are big differences between various batteries.

 

OEM batteries are typically very good batteries as per transam.

 

OEM oil & air filters are typically better than many after-market.

 

Dealership oil changes are OK but not necessarily superior. But I don't want to turn this into an oil thread.

 

As for the OP, it is possible for more power to be felt with a broken air intake system that bypasses the air cleaner. That is the entire point of K&N air filters (which should be avoided) and after-market filters of the "cone" design pictured in an above post.

 

But surgical mask is a no-no for reasons already stated. 

 

Buy a new air filter. 95% of vehicle air filters are accordion designed with a paper element. The accordion design allows for more surface area. Avoid using the car until you get that element replaced especially if it is dusty. 

[Ace of Pop]

Im a Freak,I send our rides to the Dealer, or insist the kids do, as per book, change the battery regardless after 2 Years along with tires that must be Michelin. NO i ant Rich, but its cheaper long term.

[Ace of Pop]

7 hours ago, gdgbb said:

 

How could you "notice a small difference in power" from a broken air intake?  You couldn't, because the damaged intake would probably not be producing extra power, and it is much more likely that power was reduced. 

 

It's very doubtful that any power increase would be noticeable from a driver's perspective if it were, say, less than 10bhp, and the only thing that an intake system that is falling apart would produce is an increase in noise under acceleration, and more noise doesn't mean more power. 

Just ran lean, if Carbs, bullshit about power up, just the noise, like we did as Kids along with twin exhaust,,

 Oh to be Young again.,,,,,Big Wheels , Big Head ,Tinted Window, all round disco brakes and a TRD Spivo that tips up as per Thai Press Pics every week..

[fredob43]

14 hours ago, Ace of Pop said:

Im a Freak,I send our rides to the Dealer, or insist the kids do, as per book, change the battery regardless after 2 Years along with tires that must be Michelin. NO i ant Rich, but its cheaper long term.

How I would like to know is changing the Tyres/Battery every 2 years warranted. Either you or whoever drives the car cant drive or there is something wrong with the transmission.

I change my last lot of tyres at 6 years and they still had over half their tread left.

But then again I don't rush towards a set of lights that have just changed to red. 

 

Come on then explanation on how it works out cheaper in the long run cos I cant see it.

Sounds more like throwing 1.000bt notes out of the window as you drive along.

[Ace of Pop]

Car batteries are small n cheap compared to trucks all our stuff does Hi clliks service is cheap here and I can't be bothered with vehicles anymore except to use em without touching them regards maintainance


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[Ace of Pop]

How I would like to know is changing the Tyres/Battery every 2 years warranted. Either you or whoever drives the car cant drive or there is something wrong with the transmission.
I change my last lot of tyres at 6 years and they still had over half their tread left.
But then again I don't rush towards a set of lights that have just changed to red. 
 
Come on then explanation on how it works out cheaper in the long run cos I cant see it.
Sounds more like throwing 1.000bt notes out of the window as you drive along.

Î


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[Ace of Pop]

T visa gone wrong again. No isinglass respond to the report error message cause no one replies if you do


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[Ace of Pop]

Try again on office P.C. Mr Fred.....Wifes car is Company so no cost to me. Daughters married a German Idiot ,so i just have Civic and Sons HRV to run. Tyre's gone after 45 K,  on both, titty battery  only 1700 Simsons, Honda services are only about 3 to 5 K max a shot on both , strictly to Book. Brakes last ages because both on Motorways not City, so all in all im happy.

[whaleboneman]

10 hours ago, Ace of Pop said:

Try again on office P.C. Mr Fred.....Wifes car is Company so no cost to me. Daughters married a German Idiot ,so i just have Civic and Sons HRV to run. Tyre's gone after 45 K,  on both, titty battery  only 1700 Simsons, Honda services are only about 3 to 5 K max a shot on both , strictly to Book. Brakes last ages because both on Motorways not City, so all in all im happy.

If Michelin tires only last 45k I would seriously be looking for a better brand. 

 

 

[ericthai]

 

On 10/4/2016 at 10:31 PM, transam said:

Forget the face mask, if suction pulls it in you may have a big problem.

 

If me I would find a piece of fine mesh and tape it over the box inlet until you locate the correct filter, this will not filter anything but will stop any big stuff causing a prob. If you continue to use the car keep rpm to a minimum...

I agree with Trans, however best is to try and find the correct air filter, if not then I would use a nylon stocking. This will allow airflow but will still stop small particles from getting in your engine. 

[lucifer666]

A piece of upholstery foam, around 1cm thick will do the trick. Seen dozens made this way.

[fredob43]

15 hours ago, whaleboneman said:

If Michelin tires only last 45k I would seriously be looking for a better brand. 

 

 

45th EEEEEK. Like you I wouldn't use them. My Bridgestone had done 75+km when I change them at 6 years old and they still had over half their tread left.

 

Now have Nitto NT 420S Japanese tyres fitted they have done just short of 20th and they still look like new. Will post in a few years to tell peeps how they have worn/lasted.

 

AOP said used mainly on M/W what the Buddha they would be like if you used them in BKK stop start traffic I don't want to think about.