Two weeks of fire particle/unhealthy air, adjust OCI?

[InvalidUserID]

Hi all,

I live in Northern California/Bay Area and up until a few days ago, we had some really bad air quality due to the Camp Fire. Air quality was over 200, almost touching 250 in my area. From my understanding, the danger was particles as small as 2.5 microns and below in the air.

Fortunately I wasn't directly impacted by the fire, other than the air quality. But it got me thinking: should the last two weeks and driving in the poor air have me adjusting my OCI a little early or possibly just changing it now?

 

[JeffKeryk]

The particulate matter contains metals, plastics, chemicals and other materials.
In Los Gatos (south Silicon Valley) we finally got some clean air after the 1st rain.
Maybe change your air filter if you did a lot of driving.
Perhaps others with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[CT8]

I was born in 1953 and grew up in Millbrae California and then bought a house in San Bruno then escaped the bay area in the year 2000. When I would visit my parents I was shocked on how the bay area's air stunk like poop. The forest fire smoke was a blessing . Until about 1988 the Bay area was like heaven to live in. You need to research the dirt that you drive in,[ the deposits on the road from tire wear carbon from the tires and exhaust, metals from break wear .Hydro carbons from the oil drippings etc]. Basically my canned response is when in doubt change it out.

 

[Kira]

It's "funny" to me that size of particles (in microns) are commonly cited in oil filter discussions but never during those for air filters.

Good question.

 

[eljefino]

I'd give it another week/ rainstorm as dust might get kicked up on the roads etc then do oil, air, and cabin filters.

 

[PeterPolyol]

IIRC smoke particles breeze by engine air filters. Not a whole lot you can do apart from using a filter treated with some kind of tackifier which may only help a bit. I'd be inclined to sample a wildfire exposed oil sample to see what shows up

Originally Posted by CT8
Until about 1988 the Bay area was like heaven to live in.

The entire west coast has been systematically ruined... drought, fire, aerosol assault .. and yet even still it's one of the sweetest pieces of geography around. It's a crying shame

 

[Onetor]

When Mt. St Helen's erupted in 1980, they used pantyhose around the air filters. It worked fine for the particulate matter. Now I know this is different. I just don't know what size? lol

I discovered that ash causes the belts to slip and squeak. Especially, obsidian. The air filter is most important.

 

[KrisZ]

I haven't even thought about it until i read this thread. I would not worry about it. Your engine ingests its own exhaust all the time, including soot particles, a little bit of smoke is not going to do any harm.

 

[SilverFusion2010]

Without being able to put the filter in a calibrated test rig I can't say.

My opinion? Leave it alone unless the air filter is already due to be changed. Same for oil.

Some cabin air filters use activated charcoal in their media, that one probably would benefit from replacement.