Hmm, the whole point of this thread?
2 Engine AF’s - Time To Change? 19K / 26K Miles
- Thread starter gathermewool
- Start date
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
The old FRAM was fine. If the WIX doesn’t fit then there’s more to this for some reason and I’ll go back to OE. I don't have enough data to say OE is better than aftermarket at this time.
Fair enough. I misunderstood that the previous Fram wasn’t a problem. Cheers!
dnewton3
Staff member
No!
To the contrary, changing air filters too often can lead to excessive wear; air filters pass about 90% of the total contamination they will pass in their entire lifecycle, in the first 10% of their use. If the air filter isn't grossly restricting performance, leave it alone. Unless you live in an area where heavy air contamination is frequently present (farming areas with high dust; construction areas with high dust), an air filter should last 100k miles or longer.
This article is the basis of my info:
The Truth About Engine Air Filters
Unsure of how often to change your engine air filter? The answer may surprise you, and save you money in the long term. Know the job of an engine air filter and how long you can go before a filter change.
www.rv.com
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
The Wix just came in and it’s…almost exactly the same dimensions as the Fram that doesn’t fit. In fact it’s just a smidge smaller in one dimension. The gasket on the Wix was more evenly glued on, at least…
Theyre so close that it makes me feel like I’m kookoo crazy pants over here. Maybe I should check a THIRD time!
Nope! I‘m just gonna to go with OE...
Theyre so close that it makes me feel like I’m kookoo crazy pants over here. Maybe I should check a THIRD time!
Nope! I‘m just gonna to go with OE...
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
No!
To the contrary, changing air filters too often can lead to excessive wear; air filters pass about 90% of the total contamination they will pass in their entire lifecycle, in the first 10% of their use. If the air filter isn't grossly restricting performance, leave it alone. Unless you live in an area where heavy air contamination is frequently present (farming areas with high dust; construction areas with high dust), an air filter should last 100k miles or longer.
This article is the basis of my info:
The Truth About Engine Air Filters
Unsure of how often to change your engine air filter? The answer may surprise you, and save you money in the long term. Know the job of an engine air filter and how long you can go before a filter change.
The current filter is way worse than looking at it through the air box led me to believe. It‘s time.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
I ordered 2 OE (Denso) from a Subaru parts store and they fit perfectly.
The attached shows the new Subaru OE filter being significant larger (pic #1 and 2). The Forester XT and Legacy filters are very close in size, but the Forester filter has many more pleats and is orange (pic #3)
The other attached show the old Forester XT (pic #4). The single is the old Forester XT. The one with the old and new is the Legacy (pic #5)
The attached shows the new Subaru OE filter being significant larger (pic #1 and 2). The Forester XT and Legacy filters are very close in size, but the Forester filter has many more pleats and is orange (pic #3)
The other attached show the old Forester XT (pic #4). The single is the old Forester XT. The one with the old and new is the Legacy (pic #5)
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Personally I would just vacuum out the old filters, then evaluate.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
Vacuuming with a shop vac didn’t work well and I don’t like to dig into the pleats to “clean” them. Thank you for the repl, though.
I'm gonna have to check this out. I just removed a the same Fram Ultra for my 18 Legacy and reinstalled the same but new. The only issue I noticed is that the notch on the right side near the top wasn't as flush as I thought it should be. I'll try and take a pick. I didn't notice that it was too small though. I bought mine last year. Actually bought 2. I'll have to try and find an OE filter to see.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
subaruonlineparts is great. I’d check sooner than later. Let us know please.
I just ordered a 16546AA12A from Amazon where subaruonlneparts is the seller. I'll check when the filter comes on. The car is at a shop now getting new plugs so it will be a few days.
This is NOT good advice
IF you see a lot of WOT (wide open throttle) operation, then keep your air filter changed often.
If you pretty much never mash the far right pedal all the way to the floor, your air filter lasts far, far , far longer than you think it does.
I use a very very thin film of silicone when I install my filters.
I don't take the chance...... filter "fitment" across most brands has been VERY VERY shoddy the last few years....
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
1) I have tried wheel bearing grease in the past - not good results
2) silicone grease is expensive and not necessarily easy to find anywhere - but it might work fine
3) I used clear silicone sealer - very very very thin film - on the "clean side" of the filter foam & box only
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
Interesting, thanks for the reply
Here are some pics. While the Fram is smaller it isn't a huge difference. I'm guessing maybe 1/8 of an inch or less. With the screen behind the air filter, I'm not sure there is going to be much difference to be honest. But, I am not running a UOA so I can't speak for Si numbers.
Attachments
I just found this thread, this is crazy! Why even bother making a filter for the application when it doesn't even fit?! No logic there at all! This reminds me of the other posting where someone was trying to install an aftermarket tie-rod end but the castle nut wouldn't even fit.
Just another sign that the aftermarket is in trouble! Just crazy, thanks for posting this.
Sounds like a perfect time for a induction kit from Injen or AEM with their dryflow filters. I guess you could put pantyhose over where the air flows in to try and prevent some dirt from going in. Air filters that filter are better than any oil filter.
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