The natural suction and air pulsation effect of engine ‘breathing’ has completely deformed the filter media saturated by moderate water ingress into the air cleaner housing.
The filter media damage has caused most of the abrasive contaminants previously retained by the filter, to pass through into the engine, resulting in a potential engine claim against the garage that supplied and installed the defective filter.
The requirement for OE air filter elements dictate that air filter media must meet a minimum level of water retardancy (particularly Land Rover applications!). To achieve this level of protection, the filter media of all MANN-FILTER air filters is impregnated with specially formulated hydrophobic resins that repel water.
The image on the left shows an air filter element recently removed from a 2008 Land Rover Defender 110 by a reputable garage.The image on the right shows a Mann filter with enhanced rigidity.
In addition, strategically positioned ‘glue lines’ (image.2) enhance the rigidity of the media pleats in defence against adverse conditions such as excessive water ingress.
The failed air filter is offered in the UK Aftermarket at a lower price point compared to the genuine OE MANN-FILTER C25 122 recommended for this application. The obvious lack of media resin impregnation and absence of stabilising ‘glue lines’ of the cheaper product clearly illustrates how its manufacturer or marketer is able to realise the lower price
point.
Yet another example of filter Quality vs Price and a vivid example of the consequences of recommending or choosing the latter
