Puma Air Filter/ Dust Entry

[Brid]

I'm not real happy with the Air Filter design on my 07 Defender. I use only LR elements, but get signs of dust entry on engine side of filter...light dust on inside of hose, but most obvious is dust on filter box, where filter lip/seal mates to housing ledge. Oil analysis showed 8 ppm Silicon, which is OK but then again, I only did about 400km dirt road out of that 10,000km service period. I'd hate to think what it would be if I did 5000km dirt!

I admit to being pretty fussy, and have a maintenance background, but the dealers are quite happy saying it is normal. Well, I haven't had such issues with my earlier Defender, Discovery, Rangie or Patrol, or early Toyotas. I think it is a design problem, which could well shorten the expected life of my engine.

I'd like to fit a cyclone type filter on, but not sure there's room. I could put a pre-cleaner on the snorkel perhaps, but a better main filter would be a more basic fix. Anybody got any suggestions on better filtration?

Also, I examined the oil filter paper, and noted about a dozen or more small specks of metal. I reckon this is excessive, but the dealers try to tell me it's normal. I used to spend hours on end cutting open Caterpillar oil filters at a mine site as maintenance checks, and it was rare to find any specks. Likewise with my own vehicles.

I haven't had any noise issues as other Puma owners have mentioned, and have about 62,000km up so far. I had hoped to have it all sorted by now. Oh well keep perservering with it I suppose. Appreciate any help, if anyone else has similar concerns.
Thanks in advance

Brid

[dullbird]

we did the bullman track which is nearly 1000k on very very dusty corrugated roads...when we got to Gove and before our return trip we checked the air filter and it was not dusty at all.

what snorkel do you run?

[justinc]

I'm not real happy with the Air Filter design on my 07 Defender. I use only LR elements, but get signs of dust entry on engine side of filter...light dust on inside of hose, but most obvious is dust on filter box, where filter lip/seal mates to housing ledge. Oil analysis showed 8 ppm Silicon, which is OK but then again, I only did about 400km dirt road out of that 10,000km service period. I'd hate to think what it would be if I did 5000km dirt!

I admit to being pretty fussy, and have a maintenance background, but the dealers are quite happy saying it is normal. Well, I haven't had such issues with my earlier Defender, Discovery, Rangie or Patrol, or early Toyotas. I think it is a design problem, which could well shorten the expected life of my engine.

I'd like to fit a cyclone type filter on, but not sure there's room. I could put a pre-cleaner on the snorkel perhaps, but a better main filter would be a more basic fix. Anybody got any suggestions on better filtration?

Also, I examined the oil filter paper, and noted about a dozen or more small specks of metal. I reckon this is excessive, but the dealers try to tell me it's normal. I used to spend hours on end cutting open Caterpillar oil filters at a mine site as maintenance checks, and it was rare to find any specks. Likewise with my own vehicles.

I haven't had any noise issues as other Puma owners have mentioned, and have about 62,000km up so far. I had hoped to have it all sorted by now. Oh well keep perservering with it I suppose. Appreciate any help, if anyone else has similar concerns.
Thanks in advance

Brid


Brid,

I have had various issues with D1, D2, Td5 and now Puma air filters sealing around the airbox lid, which is a disastrous design IMHO.
My only advice is to apply a bead of rubber grease around the airbox lid halves before fitting element. It is the best method to prevent dust getting past the element edges, as this plastic airbox as you have noticed is pretty approximate in its rigidity and easily distorted.
I have supplied a tube of rubber grease in the past to customers who are spending a long time in dusty conditions, especially Discovery 1 and 2 owners as these airboxes seem to be the worse offenders.


JC

[dmdigital]

I have been driving with the same filter from new in the Puma. It's been on the Bullman track without a snorkel and there was no noticeable dust in filter box. I've since fitted a Mantec snorkel and it has made no difference. Frankly my complaint about the Puma filter box isn't anything to do with leaking dust, its the fact its so bloody hard to get to when you want to inspect it.

[justinc]

I have been driving with the same filter from new in the Puma. It's been on the Bullman track without a snorkel and there was no noticeable dust in filter box. I've since fitted a Mantec snorkel and it has made no difference. Frankly my complaint about the Puma filter box isn't anything to do with leaking dust, its the fact its so bloody hard to get to when you want to inspect it.


Aint THAT the truth!. Maybe its why the odd one leaks because they aren't fitted back together properly!


JC

[dmdigital]

I'd agree with that JC. I think they must have gone to the graduate in the design office and said, "Can you make sure the air filter is difficult to access and whilst your at it can you improve the design of the cables around the clutch reservoir. We've had complaints that owners are able to open them easily."

[justinc]

I'd agree with that JC. I think they must have gone to the graduate in the design office and said, "Can you make sure the air filter is difficult to access and whilst your at it can you improve the design of the cables around the clutch reservoir. We've had complaints that owners are able to open them easily."

:D:D:D There aren't too many vehicles about that you have to undo and remove stuff AROUND the airbox just to check it! :mad:
Recipe for disaster I reckon. I thought that after the numerous D2 airbox lid failures due to people fitting them back on without watching if the locating tabs aren't bent under the filter seal itself, that they wouldn't go back there:mad: All we ask is for an airfilter box that can be opened and resealed regularly without having a problem!!!:(

JC

[isuzurover]

Brid,

I have had various issues with D1, D2, Td5 and now Puma air filters sealing around the airbox lid, which is a disastrous design IMHO.
My only advice is to apply a bead of rubber grease around the airbox lid halves before fitting element. It is the best method to prevent dust getting past the element edges, as this plastic airbox as you have noticed is pretty approximate in its rigidity and easily distorted.
I have supplied a tube of rubber grease in the past to customers who are spending a long time in dusty conditions, especially Discovery 1 and 2 owners as these airboxes seem to be the worse offenders.


JC

JCs advice is good, the dust is most likely getting past the seal rather than around the filter. However if you have room, look into fitting a donaldson powercore or MANN+HUMMEL compact plus (element+housing).

A cyclonic pre-cleaner such as the donaldson top spin is also a good idea.

Unfortunately, most car designers design the entire car, and make the filter companies design a filter and housing which can be squeezed into whatever space is left.

[Brid]

Thanks everyone. The element sure takes a bit of effort to fit, but it does go in, and my problem is the design. Good to know that others feel the same way. The grease is a good idea, thanks JC. I would dearly love to run a Donaldson under the bonnet, but room is an issue, and also the air flow sensor (?) is integral in the air cleaner housing. I guess if I can't get it sorted by August (when we go to the Simpson), I might mount a Donaldson on the roof rack down to the snorkel.

Brid