Diesel Engineer
01-27-2008, 12:07 AM
Please review the following Technical Service Bulletin released by AMSOIL INC.
PDF Version:
http://www.performanceoiltechnology.com/TSB_EaA728_Air_Filter_Box.pdf
Text Version:
Technical Service Bulletin TSB: OT-2008-01-08
Product Description: AMSOIL EaA728 Air Filter
Subject: 7.3-liter Ford OEM Air Filter Box Design
Constraints
OBJECTIVE: Communicate a problem with the design of Ford air
induction boxes on 7.3L-equipped diesel vehicles which leads
to premature air filter restriction gauge warnings when
using EaA728 Air Filters.
ISSUES: The life expectancy of the EaA728 Air Filter is less
than the specified duration due to issues with Ford original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) filter housing design.
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: AMSOIL has documented problems with
premature air restriction on EaA728 Air Filters installed on
Ford vehicles equipped with 7.3L diesel engines. The problem
appears via premature triggering of air filter restriction
gauges. In some cases, the problem is severe enough to
create performance issues, including lack of engine power.
A typical non-turbo-equipped 7.3L diesel engine requires
roughly 280 CFM air flow to comfortably perform without
combustion starving issues, including lack of engine power.
A turbo-equipped diesel engine requires 466 CFM air flow to
avoid similar issues.
Another way to predict air-flow-related performance issues
is through a filter face velocity calculation. Donaldson
Company Inc.(DCI), a wellrespected filter manufacturer, uses
this calculation to measure the amount of air an engine
requires for optimum fuel combustion. A lower value in the
face velocity represents better performance. A face velocity
of 7-10 is optimal for diesel-fueled engines, whether turbo-
charged or not. A Ford 7.3L OEM filter was tested with this
predictive calculation under both turbo and non-turbo
conditions.
The results for were 47 for turbo applications and 19.48 for
non-turbo applications, both exceeding the optimal 7-10
design point. This data shows that the stock OEM filter
design is too small, particularly in turbo-charged engines.
As these filters become more restrictive when contaminated
with dirt, air starvation issues will occur. The solution is
to replace the stock, noncleanable air filter at more
frequent intervals. Ford now recommends that the air filter
be replaced at every oil change.(1)
AMSOIL Ea Air Filters are produced according to the OEM
specifications. Since these specifications are for a filter
that is too small, the AMSOIL EaA728 Air Filter is limited
in its performance capabilities, and its life expectancy is
cut short. AMSOIL INC., in conjunction with DCI, evaluated
aftermarket air filters, along with OEM air filters for
1999-2003 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engines. The results of
these tests showed a lack of filtering surface area required
by this model to perform satisfactorily over the projected
life of the filter.
RECOMMENDATION: AMSOIL recommends to continue using the
EaA728 Air Filter and cleaning at 5,000 miles or per
restriction gauge. AMSOIL also offers a WIX air filter
(46728) but it cannot be cleaned and must be changed per
restriction gauge or OEM recommendation.
As an alternative to the factory designed filter system,
Ford introduced a retrofit air filter system called the
Donaldson/Ford Air Induction System (AIS) part # 2U2Z-9K635-
AA/Donaldson part number (X007953). AMSOIL offers this
technology under part number (PCIS73). The retrofit system
is available for 1999-2003 F-250 through F-550 Ford Power
Stroke 7.3L diesel vehicles. The induction system is only
recommended for trucks that have not been modified.
REFERENCES:
1) Donaldson Filter Corporation, Personal Conversation with
Field Service Engineer and Account Executive. ADDITIONAL
SOURCES: AMSOIL Filter Look-up Guide and Cross Reference
Guide.
Ford Motor Company, Service Advisor’s Guide. “ Selling the
7.3L AIS Severe Duty Kit” WIX Filter Lookup and Application
Guide
AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880 (715) 392-7101
© Copyright 2008
PDF Version:
http://www.performanceoiltechnology.com/TSB_EaA728_Air_Filter_Box.pdf
Text Version:
Technical Service Bulletin TSB: OT-2008-01-08
Product Description: AMSOIL EaA728 Air Filter
Subject: 7.3-liter Ford OEM Air Filter Box Design
Constraints
OBJECTIVE: Communicate a problem with the design of Ford air
induction boxes on 7.3L-equipped diesel vehicles which leads
to premature air filter restriction gauge warnings when
using EaA728 Air Filters.
ISSUES: The life expectancy of the EaA728 Air Filter is less
than the specified duration due to issues with Ford original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) filter housing design.
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: AMSOIL has documented problems with
premature air restriction on EaA728 Air Filters installed on
Ford vehicles equipped with 7.3L diesel engines. The problem
appears via premature triggering of air filter restriction
gauges. In some cases, the problem is severe enough to
create performance issues, including lack of engine power.
A typical non-turbo-equipped 7.3L diesel engine requires
roughly 280 CFM air flow to comfortably perform without
combustion starving issues, including lack of engine power.
A turbo-equipped diesel engine requires 466 CFM air flow to
avoid similar issues.
Another way to predict air-flow-related performance issues
is through a filter face velocity calculation. Donaldson
Company Inc.(DCI), a wellrespected filter manufacturer, uses
this calculation to measure the amount of air an engine
requires for optimum fuel combustion. A lower value in the
face velocity represents better performance. A face velocity
of 7-10 is optimal for diesel-fueled engines, whether turbo-
charged or not. A Ford 7.3L OEM filter was tested with this
predictive calculation under both turbo and non-turbo
conditions.
The results for were 47 for turbo applications and 19.48 for
non-turbo applications, both exceeding the optimal 7-10
design point. This data shows that the stock OEM filter
design is too small, particularly in turbo-charged engines.
As these filters become more restrictive when contaminated
with dirt, air starvation issues will occur. The solution is
to replace the stock, noncleanable air filter at more
frequent intervals. Ford now recommends that the air filter
be replaced at every oil change.(1)
AMSOIL Ea Air Filters are produced according to the OEM
specifications. Since these specifications are for a filter
that is too small, the AMSOIL EaA728 Air Filter is limited
in its performance capabilities, and its life expectancy is
cut short. AMSOIL INC., in conjunction with DCI, evaluated
aftermarket air filters, along with OEM air filters for
1999-2003 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engines. The results of
these tests showed a lack of filtering surface area required
by this model to perform satisfactorily over the projected
life of the filter.
RECOMMENDATION: AMSOIL recommends to continue using the
EaA728 Air Filter and cleaning at 5,000 miles or per
restriction gauge. AMSOIL also offers a WIX air filter
(46728) but it cannot be cleaned and must be changed per
restriction gauge or OEM recommendation.
As an alternative to the factory designed filter system,
Ford introduced a retrofit air filter system called the
Donaldson/Ford Air Induction System (AIS) part # 2U2Z-9K635-
AA/Donaldson part number (X007953). AMSOIL offers this
technology under part number (PCIS73). The retrofit system
is available for 1999-2003 F-250 through F-550 Ford Power
Stroke 7.3L diesel vehicles. The induction system is only
recommended for trucks that have not been modified.
REFERENCES:
1) Donaldson Filter Corporation, Personal Conversation with
Field Service Engineer and Account Executive. ADDITIONAL
SOURCES: AMSOIL Filter Look-up Guide and Cross Reference
Guide.
Ford Motor Company, Service Advisor’s Guide. “ Selling the
7.3L AIS Severe Duty Kit” WIX Filter Lookup and Application
Guide
AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880 (715) 392-7101
© Copyright 2008