Equipment

What's New In: Air and Coolant filters

March 1, 2009

Most fleet operators understand the importance of changing filters on a timely basis. While the current trend in air filtration has been toward achieving greater capacities for extended service intervals, technicians still need to know when to change those filters to avoid unnecessary engine wear, poor fuel economy and decreased vehicle performance. The computers on today's trucks will continue to

DEBORAH MCGUFFIE-SCHYHOL

“The computers on today's trucks will continue to adjust to keep engines running even though a filter may have gone way past its change-out interval,” says Paul Bandoly, manager, technical services and customer training at WIX Filters. “The use of air filter restriction gauges that previously were considered ‘best practice’ recommendations are now essential maintenance tools.”

According to Bandoly, the WIX 42808 replacement filter for Mack Truck applications uses filter media that increases capacity over the OE design by 25%. The 42808 features a handle that allows for easier servicing by technicians and incorporates new polyurethane radial seals to improve sealing capacity and fit.

Racor's ECO Series air filter, according to Jon Wake, air filtration product manager, is popular on heavy-duty OEM custom chassis, including utility trucks used by FedEx and UPS.

In the fall of 2008, Racor released a new product called ECO IV technology. Its first application has been on Navistar's new International LoneStar Class 8 truck. The deep-pleat panel air filter can be packaged into a variety of flat shapes to fit today's engine compartments, Wake reports. It uses Racor's proprietary water-resistant media and is fully recyclable.

Mark Stamp, heavy-duty product manager for Champion Laboratories, says Luberfiner Filters has been expanding its line of extended-life filters over the past three years. MXM Force heavy-duty air filters for on-highway and off-road applications “provide the opportunity for users to extend their scheduled service intervals and afford optimum product performance through premium filter media and improved media density,” he explains.

CHEMISTRY LESSON

Bandoly says the key issue with coolant filters is not the differences between EG (ethylene glycol) and PG (propylene glycol) as some people may think, but the chemical additives that are put into EG and PG coolants. “The most important thing a fleet needs to remember is there are two very different coolant chemistries currently in use — IAT (inorganic acid technology) and OAT (organic acid technology) — and they have two very different maintenance requirements,” Bandoly explains. “If you are dealing with the new chemical-free OAT coolant, a non-chemical filter must be used or problems will arise.”

Penray notes that cooling systems have become increasingly more complex over the last decade. “The emergence of extended life coolants, SCR and EGR systems, and stricter emissions standards, has put new stresses on the cooling system,” says Chris McKenzie, director of marketing. “Now more than ever it's important for fleets to have a solid cooling system maintenance program.”

The Need-Release extended-life coolant filter from Penray is designed to last for 150,000 mi. and to take the place of 10-12 ordinary filters. This reduces coolant system maintenance time and cuts filter waste, the company reports.

Luberfiner offers a complete line of Controlled Release Technology (CRT) coolant filters for all makes of heavy-duty diesel engines. They are designed to be in service for 4,000 hrs. or 150,000 mi. with conventional coolant.

“Pelletization of SCA chemical in the production of extended service coolant filters has provided a competitive alternative to the chemical membrane construction on many heavy-duty coolant filters,” says Luberfiner's Mark Stamp. “Benefits include improvements in the manufacturing environment and better control of chemical release in extended service applications.”