Cabin Air Filter Test

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Rado

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Did another CAF test today using a Mopar CAF
Air Flow , Meter was set in MS mode :O I do not know what MS stands for lol Anyone know ???
Had ignition accessory position on and door open !
I had a WIX in there and did test it but when I pulled it out 1 side was crushed when I installed it :O
SO as know thre is some resistance ,Will try another brand next change out !




No CAF

MS
Knots
1: 1.4 MS 2.72
2: 1.6 3.11
3: 2.0 3.88
4: 2.5 4.85
5: 2.9 5.63
6: 3.3 6.41

OEM Filter Knots
MS
1: 1.1 2.13
2: 1.5 2.91
3: 1.9 3.69
4: 2.1 4.08
5: 2.5 4.85
6: 2.7 5.24
 
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PE7EY

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Just found your post. Any updates?
 
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Rado

Rado

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No updates yet ! If I have good weather above 30* I'll try and do a second test !
My Meter does not do Meters I can just only do air speed
 

Travelin Ram

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I worked in commercial HVAC for a while, all I can tell you is every air filter has some degree of resistance to air flow. And the amount of resistance is correlated to the quality of the filtration. If you’re trapping smaller particles the resistance goes up.

It’s possible to manipulate that a bit by varying the number of pleats or the specific media type, but not a whole lot. You can’t beat physics.

So in general for a given filter size the best flowing filter is the one letting the most contaminants through and vice versa.

There is a large potential for uncertainty in the Ram application, because the cabin filter really doesn’t seal around the edges. And it’s easy to distort it and make a large area for air to bypass as the OP experienced. It’s really a half assed design, but better than nothing. I change mine regularly, but I don’t really worry about brand due to the above mentioned design flaws.
 
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Rado

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I worked in commercial HVAC for a while, all I can tell you is every air filter has some degree of resistance to air flow. And the amount of resistance is correlated to the quality of the filtration. If you’re trapping smaller particles the resistance goes up.

It’s possible to manipulate that a bit by varying the number of pleats or the specific media type, but not a whole lot. You can’t beat physics.

So in general for a given filter size the best flowing filter is the one letting the most contaminants through and vice versa.

There is a large potential for uncertainty in the Ram application, because the cabin filter really doesn’t seal around the edges. And it’s easy to distort it and make a large area for air to bypass as the OP experienced. It’s really a half assed design, but better than nothing. I change mine regularly, but I don’t really worry about brand due to the above mentioned design flaws.

Travelin Ram

I agree with you 110%, FYI I was also in the HVAC trade , About 45 + years worth :O Yea I'm old lol..

I may be retired from the trade but the trade is still in my blood!

But like you in the HVAC trade have seen big difference in AF depending on who made them and how they were made !

And with all the talk on CAF killing the air flow by some! And me being retired and board I had to use my meter ! On my first test I hand held the meter !
Later I found out if I moved or change it angle it changed the readings!

SO this time I will tape the meter to the lover so I am at constant angle and location!

With this COVID crap going on I have a lot of free time to kill lol
Pleasure talking to another tradesman
 
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retired

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Notice in the photo above the left and right sides of the filters have no edge reinforcement or frame. The new one is concave and air will bypass on the edges. Every one I’ve seen is the same.
yes and that is OEM. really flimsy. but I guess it still catches a lot.
 
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Rado

Rado

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You can stretch the CAF some what back to shape. Just push 1 section at a time . All depends on the CAF. Works for me but even if it has the divot it will catch more then it miss's
 

Quint

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brand new truck (2020 PW) changed at under 5000 miles give or take.View attachment 234171
I'm doubting a thing but just asking what should be asked, were you driving through dry/dusty areas or on dirt roads? It does seem abnormally dirty for any air filter over 5k miles.
 

retired

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I'm doubting a thing but just asking what should be asked, were you driving through dry/dusty areas or on dirt roads? It does seem abnormally dirty for any air filter over 5k miles.

a little bit. I had done the White Rim Trail but over half way through not a lot of dust on the truck. The engine air filter was clean as new still.


B5DF8072_D336_4BEB_8D23_C66124B6DAF1.jpg
 
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