Question about Wix filter minder.

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Silverado12

Silverado12

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/330876543652?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Getting ready to order the above for my Chevy truck, but don't know what size hole to drill for the grommet. Want to make sure I have the right bit in advance, and I assume a spade bit works best drilling thru plastic?
 
Why would you want one? I got one on my truck and it never budged even after 45,000 miles. Eventually the yellow rubber button cap fell off and I replaced the entire airbox lid with one from an 08 model cause they did away with the filter minder. Imo it's just one more thing to cause an air leak whenever that rubber oring rots out. Air filters are only like 15 dollars. Just change it every 30,000 miles or so and don't worry about it.
 
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Why would you want one? I got one on my truck and it never budged even after 45,000 miles. Eventually the yellow rubber button cap fell off and I replaced the entire airbox lid with one from an 08 model cause they did away with the filter minder. Imo it's just one more thing to cause an air leak whenever that rubber oring rots out. Air filters are only like 15 dollars. Just change it every 30,000 miles or so and don't worry about it.


That's one of the silliest statement I've heard here in a long time.

Unless it was defective from the start, it didn't budge because the air filter didn't generate enough restriction to trip the unit. Which means the filter was perfectly fine and not generating enough restriction to trip the gauge. And just because one until failed, doesn't mean they all, or even many, will. You didn't mention whether the restriction gauge was OE or after market and what brand it was. Filters can last a very long time in service and not get restricted. Sure you can do the no-brainer and replace 'em every 30K, or $45 in 90K miles, or you can only replace none, or one in that time by watching a restriction gauge.

To the OP:

I don't know for sure, but I remember being told that manufacturer of the Filter Minder makes the unit for Wix. Donaldson also makes one and there are others. I prefer the ones that have a scale rather than the green/red/yellow ones. I tested one of my Donaldson units with a hand vacuum pump and gauge it it was right on. I have gauges on all my vehicles now.

No particular issues in drilling the plastic. Usually the units have instructions on how big a hole to drill and, depending on the kit you order, they may have the grommets or hardware you need. It's an easy install. If you don't want a grommet, there are brass bulkhead fittings that will work.
 
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Well then at the rate that filter minder was moving I would have lasted 15 years. I'd rather spend 20 bucks every 4 or 5 years and know that my filter isn't rotting away under the hood. Just my personal preference.
 
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Just went out and dug out the instructions for the Wix 24801 filter minder l installed on my car and it sez an 11/16 hole. DD
 
While I like extra gauges and monitors, this seems silly in my opinion. Just check your air filter at every oil change and you should be fine.
 
Check how? How can you tell by looking whether the filter is restricted or not? They can be quite dirty looking and still have next to no restriction. Also, air filter efficiency improves as they get dirty, typically by 2-3% in the first 10% of use, so leaving them in until they begin to near their maximum restriction is actually GOOD for your engine. The use of a restriction gauge tell use EXACTLY the right time to change it. FInally, R&Ring the filter to ogle it can result in sealing leaks and it's best just to leave it alone as much as possible until the restriction gauge says to replace it.

Go back into this subject here and you'll see all this in chapter and verse, with footnotes.
 
The Mann air filter in my E430 has rubber seal, the air box can be very warm after driving for 30 minutes or more, the heat made the rubber hard and bristle and after 40-50k miles or 4-5 years of use it didn't seal as well as it was new.

I changed the air filter in that car based mostly on when the seal starts to deteriorate to a point that it doesn't seal well.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
The Mann air filter in my E430 has rubber seal, the air box can be very warm after driving for 30 minutes or more, the heat made the rubber hard and bristle and after 40-50k miles or 4-5 years of use it didn't seal as well as it was new.

I changed the air filter in that car based mostly on when the seal starts to deteriorate to a point that it doesn't seal well.



That's a good way to look at it overall. Some filter sealing systems might be OK for 10 years in service. Some might not. If not, time to look for a better quality filter perhaps.
 
I looked at several filters and all of them have similar rubber seal. When I change the oil, once a year, I remove the air box lid and touch the seal if it is harden to the point it can break easily then I change it, if not I leave it alone without take it out the air box to check the dirty side of the media.
 
I must agree with Mr Allen.These air filter restriction guages are worth every penny.I have one on my 2006 Jeep grand Cherokee with the Hemi.I use a Mann-Hummel air filter which I switched from a K&N.If you go to the website Engineered Products which makes the filter minders they would be able to tell you which model is right for your application.They make the filter minder for K&N/Baldwin and for Wix.My filterminder is set for 15 H20.Each time your check your air filter you are breaking the seal on the air box and letting dirt to get inside the engine.A slightly used air filter filters better than a new one.A filter can last 300 miles or 80,000 miles just let the restriction gauge tell you when to change the filter.Air filter plug very slowly and right before they need to be changed the guage will indicate that.Joe
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I looked at several filters and all of them have similar rubber seal. When I change the oil, once a year, I remove the air box lid and touch the seal if it is harden to the point it can break easily then I change it, if not I leave it alone without take it out the air box to check the dirty side of the media.


Are these all the same part number filters? Or same application, I mean? From my interviews and research, tehre is a wide variance of materials and materials quality used in filter seals. It usually tracks with purchase price and the airbox design. The advice I was given is to use air filter grease on the seals, which helps the seal and keeps the seals from sticking to the box. Some say it helps keep the seal pliable?? K&N has some and IIRC, it's a rebadge product from somebody else.
 
Originally Posted By: CharlieW618
Personally I prefer a vacuum gauge on the dash over a "filter minder" mounted any where.


You mean a vacuum gauge connected to a port in the chamber above the filter? That works just fine. The only thing it doesn't do is record the peak vacuum like the Filterminder, meaning you have to take you eyes off the road to observe it at WOT. They make a Filterminder that mounts on the dash too.
 
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Originally Posted By: CharlieW618
Personally I prefer a vacuum gauge on the dash over a "filter minder" mounted any where.


You mean a vacuum gauge connected to a port in the chamber above the filter? That works just fine. The only thing it doesn't do is record the peak vacuum like the Filterminder, meaning you have to take you eyes off the road to observe it at WOT. They make a Filterminder that mounts on the dash too.



I've driven trucks with the filter minders under the hood and on the dash. I just don't care for them. I've seen too many of them leak and not hold the correct reading.
 
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