It seems as though there is a price for just about everything, even a torn or damaged engine air filter on your car. The price in this case, however, is not for the filter itself; that’s no more than a couple of dollars. It is the potential damage you risk if you ignore the relevance of an engine air filter in the bigger scheme of things.

“Though inexpensive and often overlooked, the air filter plays a critical role in protecting a car’s engine from potentially costly damage,” said Chuck Kerrigan, Director of Marketing for Purolator, manufacturer and supplier of automotive filters to the North American aftermarket (www.purolatorautofilters.com).

According to Kerrigan, if a car’s engine air filter is torn or split, it will allow dirt to enter the engine compartment and potentially destroy key internal components. More important, once the damage sets in and you’ve been driving around with it for a while, there is no turning back. Dirt that has entered your engine can very quickly damage the valves and valve seats, the piston rings and cylinder walls, and the engine bearings.

“Your car’s engine is now on a path of irreparable progression and you will probably need to replace the entire engine, which means about $4,000, or more, out of your pocket,” said Kerrigan.

How it all works

Many are surprised to learn that a car’s engine consumes 10,000 gallons of air for each gallon of fuel used. Air is drawn through a black plastic duct in the vicinity of the grill area. This duct is located up front because it draws in cooler air that is dense and helps generate more power, better fuel economy and lower emissions.

Air travels through this duct that usually houses (in most new cars) the flat rectangular panel-style engine air filter. From there, the filtered air travels through intake valves to each of the cylinders in the engine. These intake valves seal combustion gases by fitting snugly against a tapered seat. At about 3,000 rpm — typical engine speed when cruising down the highway — an engine’s valves open and close about 25 times every second.

Under these conditions, if the engine air filter is ruptured, dirt will get between the valve and its seat, acting as an abrasive, destroying the metal and the sealing ability of the valve. Similarly, the abrasive grit will get trapped between the cylinder walls and the pistons and piston rings, scoring these vital internal engine components like sandpaper. Ultimately, this debris can reach the engine bearings. Result? Permanent and irreversible engine damage. Cost to replace an engine? Approximately $4,000 plus the time and aggravation that is sure to accompany such a mishap.

So, will you pay a price for driving with a torn or damaged engine air filter? You bet! Check your owner’s manual or ask your repair shop technician. It’s certainly worth your while to check and replace the engine air filter on your car before it’s too late.

More information is available at www.purolatorautofilters.com.

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