BucketMan

Was doing a little maintenance on the ole girl yesterday and took the air box cover off the check the filter. After removing the filter I saw this.

While I appreciate the fact reputable sources have said the factory set up flows sufficient air for most applications, sans larger turbo and fueling upgrades this is just frustrating. Its absolutely clear, and already known that moisture has a direct route from the fenderwell to the intake, this just illustrates it vividly.

I took my big hunting trip in December of last year and know this is where the mud came from. There was no major off-roading, no submersion of the truck, just muddy logging roads, had they not also had snow on them I really hadnt even needed 4wd, my truck really didnt even get that muddy, just road spray.

So, check your filters regularly. I have an AEM drop in, got a great deal on it. I plan on cleaning it more often after seeing this.

End rant, just wanted to vent, thanks for listening.

Modular man

Cause it's sucking threw the inerfender. Picking up all the dirt and watever u drive ur truck threw. I'd get a cold air or ram air intake . But u still alway got to check them and make sure there staying clean

tanked_darren

Install a snorkel?

Install a foam pre filter?

Maybe I should look at mine I go through muddy logging roads all the time.

Cjoates23

iTrader: (1)

cold air intake is not going to help much of anything but becoming addicted to the extra noise you will now hear. You'll stomp the pedal more to hear the roar and you'll lose MPG as a result. CAI for the most part are psychological. Very few regular street cars/trucks will make any use of the sales pitch promises.

Viking1204

I don't understand why they would run a snorkel out through a fender well where road grime and mud or sand is constantly being slung up by the tires. Why is the snorkel not pointed towards the front of the truck and the grill with a screen in it to catch any large bugs etc.....?

cltgt

I'm wondering if a piece of cheese cloth covering the inlet port would help.

BucketMan

Likely cause the body design existed prior to the powertrain, so they adapted it, just like the CAC debacle and the size of its opening.

BucketMan

Im not a fan of CAI's, but this may be the one advantage they do have. For me, im just going to watch it closely and clean as necessary.

This def gives Full Race the advantage with their CAI, but way out of my price range.

RLXXI

Looks to me like it's doing it's job, now if you have that kind of grime on the other side of the filter and tubing to the intake manifold you probably have a bad seal on the filter itself.

The lower part of the intake is pulling in air and what ever else particulate matter that happens to find it's way inside the fender, remember there is an inner fender that also blocks a lot. It's the filters job to keep it on that side and not the other where it would get ingested into the engine.

BucketMan

I certainly agree the filter is doing its job. The is a perfect line showing the filter is indeed blocking the dirt. However I think this design is making the filter work harder than it has to. IE: Pull air from the front of the truck like the FR CAI and the 2015 models do.