Breather filters...

[Silver Streak]

Can someone explain what the advantages/disadvantages are for these breather filters? I heard they're not really good or necessary for some reason, but I can't remember why....


Pic is courtesy of PPSonline.net

_________________
Henry

Visit my Camry Website!



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Silver Streak on 2002-02-03 19:34 ]</font>

[TRD 4Runner]

Haha, I was thinking about using one of those as an air filter for my scooter- but the hole is smaller than the stock foam filter I have, so...

I don't think there would be any noticable gain in HP, torque or engine cooling if you ask me...but I guess every tenth of a millisecond counts if your racing...

[DaksGT]

The purpose of the PCV ventilation system is to reduce condensation in the crankcase and reduce the amount of vapor and gases emitted to the atmosphere.For each gallon of fuel consumed, one gallon of water vapor is created through condensation. Un-less
the crankcase ventilation system is functioning properly, a deterioration of the oil will occur, thus promoting premature engine wear. The PCV system is a sealed system. Air leaks can disrupt the system’s
flow, resulting in a pressurization of the crankcase, forcing oil and vapor back into the air cleaner via the fresh air inlet. The PCV valve is a calibrated vacuum
leak; an improperly calibrated valve can result in a surge, rough idle, or a lean misfire condition. In the absence of low pressure in the crankcase, due to a
defective or plugged PCV valve, the venturi effect of the air moving through the air horn can result in a siphoning effect. When this occurs, oil can be pulled from a valve cover through the fresh air inlet, contami-nating the PCV breather filter and air filter element.
When the filter is oily, the PCV valve and the entire crank-case ventilation system should be examined. A re-striction
can result in some costly engine damage.

[EKam]

To put it in simple terms: stay away from these breather filter.

Henry you really don't want them.

[Silver Streak]

Thanks Daks...I always heard that they're bad for the environment but just wanted to knwo what they did....

Dickson, never thought about putting one on, but my brother has one in his car...just wondering if it really has any effect whatsoever.

[DaksGT]

On 2002-02-03 21:04, elegantcam wrote:
To put it in simple terms: stay away from these breather filter.

Henry you really don't want them.

Thats not what I said, I just stated the filters function. Henrey they are not leagl though, do they help ur car? TO a certain extent. Would I put it on my car if I could? Yes.

[SE V6]

Breather filters don't allow the PCV tube, or the fresh air inlet tube to the cam cover to be plummed back into the intake tract. Oily vapours and heat from the cam cover can and will go into the intake of your engine.

It will not hurt at all to put on one or 2 of these. This is important for forced induction (turbo) motors that have intercoolers. It will also 'slighty' heat the intake air after the IC and of course coat your intake plenum. (Same thing for the EGR valve - hot exhaust gas recylced into the intake plenum).

The oily vapours can coat the IC and decrease its efficiency. (you can wash out the IC with a solvent or gas once in a while) I use a catch can actually and one of these filters on top of the can. Word of warning though...you will smell these vapours if you turn your fan on in the car. It can be annoying and smelly but I've lived with it.

But for most applications, you won't need it unless you are trying to be as 'efficient' as possible (no real hp gains). On N/A cars it's not so bad (smell) but forced induction can spew oil and mess up your engine bay b/c of greater pressures in the crank case (that's w/o a catch can).

_________________
SE V6

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: SE V6 on 2002-02-04 01:13 ]</font>

[F1 Chris]

I hate the smell. And is the threat of cancer really worth an extra .5 hp? Actually everytime I've used those, they seemed to drain my car of a little power. Not worth it, plus you need to replace them every 3000 miles.