What Are Signs That Your Car Air Filter Is Dirty?

The air filter is your vehicle's first line of defence, keeping dirt, dust, and leaves from being drawn into the engine compartment. The engine air filter can get clogged over time, reducing its ability to filter the air entering the engine. The performance of your car's engine might suffer if your air filter becomes blocked with dirt and debris.

If a vehicle's engine is its heart, the air intake is its lungs. We supply life-giving oxygen to our entire body when we take in air. Our cars, like ourselves, require oxygen to survive; yet, what happens when a clogged air filter prevents that oxygen from reaching them?

Air is required for combustion engines to work, and a clogged air filter can starve a vehicle. This can lead to plenty of issues in the future. Fortunately, if you know what to look for, filthy air filter symptoms are simple to spot and look for car garages in Reading to book a full service which will include an air filter replacement.

Continue reading to discover the indications and symptoms of a clogged engine air filter:

1.      Lack of Acceleration - If your car takes a long time to react when you press down on the accelerator pedal, it might be a sign that it isn't getting enough clean air. A clogged air filter limits the quantity of clean air that reaches the engine, lowering its power and performance. Looking for garages in Reading and scheduling an appointment with a mechanic to replace your dirty car air filter with a new one might boost your engine's acceleration.

2.      Engine Performance Issues - Engine Misfires, Rough Idling, and Hard Starts - A blocked engine air filter can cause engine misfires, rough idling, and hard starts. Unburned gasoline forms a soot residue on the spark plug as a result of a filthy air filter restricting the air supply to the engine. This clogs the spark plug(s) and reduces their capacity to generate the necessary spark for combustion. Your engine's performance will be restored by replacing the air filter and the affected spark plugs. Check MOT status and have your mechanic change the air filter as soon as possible to avoid a MOT failure.

3.      Strange Engine Noises - After some time behind the wheel, you have a sense of what sounds your engine makes. If you hear coughing or popping noises emanating from the engine compartment, or if your car vibrates excessively, it might be a sign of a clogged air filter destroying a spark plug. You won't have to change your spark plugs if you replace your air filter before it becomes blocked.

4.      Check Engine Light Is Illuminated - One of the things that might cause your Check Engine light to illuminate is a filthy air filter, which is caused by an insufficient flow of air to the engine, resulting in the formation of carbon deposits. Have your mechanic scan your car to determine the root of the problem, which might be as easy as changing the air filter. If you check MOT history and establish that a check engine light was the reason for a MOT failure, the cause of the problem could well have been a simple filthy air filter that was not replaced on time.

5.      Black Smoke Coming from The Car's Exhaust - Another symptom of a clogged air filter is black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Due to a lack of clean air, the gas may not burn entirely throughout the combustion process. Unburned gasoline then departs the car through the tailpipe, producing black, sooty smoke or flames at the exhaust pipe's end.

6.      Reduced Fuel Economy - A decline in fuel efficiency is a frequent indicator of a filthy air filter in an older carbureted vehicle. The carburetor ensures that the air and fuel are mixed in the right proportions for burning. When your engine doesn't get enough fresh air, it may adjust by consuming more gas to provide the power it requires. An air filter that is clean might help you save money on fuel. Newer vehicles with fuel injection utilise the onboard computer to automatically regulate the fuel flow and obtain the ideal air and fuel mix. In modern vehicles, the air filter has little impact on the fuel economy.

7.      Fuel Leaks from the Exhaust Pipe Produce a Powerful Smell - When fuel leaks from the exhaust pipe, it produces a distinct odour that alerts you to a problem. While a stench may signal a gas tank leak, black smoke symptoms may confirm your suspicions of exhaust leaking.

8.      The Filter Look Is Dirty - The appearance of the filter is one of the easiest things to spot. Filters that haven't been used in a while seem almost white. Contaminants in the air contaminate your filter, turning it brown or black over time. A visual examination may identify the presence of a faulty filter. Always inspect your filter in a well-lit area. It may be time to replace it if it looks to be clogged with dirt.

When Should Engine Air Filters Be Replaced?

While manufacturers' recommendations for how often to clean your air filter vary, if you detect any of these indicators of a filthy air filter, it's time to have it examined. You may inspect the air filter yourself or have it checked out by a car mechanic. To remove the air filter manually, consult your owner's handbook for the position of the filter.

A new engine air filter is often white or off white in colour. It's fine to leave the engine air filter in if it's white or only slightly filthy. By tapping it to remove the loose particles, a thin layer of dirt may be removed. It's time to change the filter if it's lathered with dirt and other debris.