Fuzzy stuff on Fram Air Filters

[The Critic]

I usually get OE filters, but I needed this one quickly and my preferred source was unable to deliver in time.

App is a 2008 CRV, I picked up a Fram #CA10344 from WM for $13. The material is of the white fuzzy stuff, but I am finding that the entire frame of the filter is covered with small strands of this stuff. I do not recall seeing this issue with other brands (i.e. Wix or OE).

Some of the filters on the shelf were more covered than others, so I chose the one that had the least mess.

It seems odd that a filter mfg would let filters like that onto the shelf, but I suppose that it really doesn't cause a serious issue.

Thoughts?

The pic below shows the fuzz, some filters had a very heavy coating of it everywhere....this one wasn't too bad:

 

[zloveraz]

NBD It's just particulate matter from the air pollution from China...

Nice IPA I see...

 

[Mr Nice]

I've seen the same thing on other air filters, I just get a damp paper towel and wipe the fuzz off.

 

[LeakySeals]

Its sticky rubber. Check the box seal vs other filters to confirm. Some brands use stiffer rubber, makes for a bad seal. No worries about the fuzz, wont last long in the combustion chamber.

 

[Jim Allen]

Not so sure this fuzz is benign or that we shouldn't raise an eyebrow. They appear to be fibers from the media. It's not likely to be from the media of this filter but from the manufacturing environment. To my thinking, the air filter manufacturing environment should be a clean place. Not sure I'd want a bunch of those fibers ground up and working their way past the rings into the crankcase. You can wipe the fibers off the seals but how much is on the clean side of the media. I'm not suggesting we go all Chicken-Little here but it's not a good thing to see.

 

[LeakySeals]

Shouldn't those fibers incinerate during combustion? Also wonder about similar fibers visible on the new synthetic media oil filter autopsys.

 

[BIGJ552000]

What would these fibers do to a MAF sensor? My understanding is the wires in a MAF sensor are hot and would these fibers stick/melt to it causing the sensor to go bad? If not it could possibly coat it at least. Not good either way

 

[Jim Allen]

Leaky: They might incinerate but they have to be somewhat heat resistant to be on an engine and what if they get into the cylinder on the first start when combustion temps are cooler? How harmful they might be would depend on exactly what they are made from. The point is if you don't know the details of the material, it's not wise to be too cavalier about what's going down the chute.

BIG: Good point. Some media (glass fiber) contains silica and any form of that substance is a MAF killer. Again, it's all about the odds.

The answer is simple, spend some time cleaning up, or return the filter for one that isn't covered in fuzz. Better to know than to hope. Again, I'm not saying this is a fatal flaw, or inherently dangerous, but I don't remember ever seeing anything like that and it doesn't seem to me to be a good sign. If I KNEW more about the material, I might not be so cautious. I went out and looked at a new OEM Honda filter I have stockpiled for my Accord... no fuzz on that baby.

 

[MysticGold04]

I would just wipe it off the best I could and use it...

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: MysticGold04
I would just wipe it off the best I could and use it...


This. It's not a problem.

 

[Malo83]

Move along folks nothing to see here,

 

[757guy]

Isn't that a Cabin Air filter? The part number starts with CA indicating it is for cabin use only.

 

[rrounds]

It doesn't even look like the pic on Fram's web site
http://www.framcatalog.com/PartDetail.aspx?b=F&pn=CA10344
or Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Fram-CA10344-Extra-Guard-Filter/dp/B001NYNFTU

ROD

 

[The Critic]

I can assure you that this is definitely the engine air filter for a 2008 Honda CRV. I just purchased the filter from WM last night. However, this filter does not appear to be a fast mover at this particular store, so it is possible that I received older stock.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: MysticGold04
I would just wipe it off the best I could and use it...

I plan to wipe it off and install the filter. I just thought it was disappointing that the fuzz was present....since this has not been an issue with other brands.

 

[sciphi]

More Chinesium for you.

Critic, more and more I see why you stick with OEM parts. In most cases it's less hassle than ensuring aftermarket parts are up to snuff.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

If the 5.9.11 is a date code then it has been sitting unsealed somewhere for two years. It could have been collecting all of that stuff during that time. If you go to another store and look at the same filter and see the same stuff then you can argue it came like that from the factory.