Your engine needs vast amounts of air for combustion, and this air needs to be clean. Dirt, dust, and other debris are collected in the car air filter. As the filter collects this debris, it will start to get blocked. When this happens, it’s time to see your Chevy dealer for a replacement filter. We’d like to show you some of the signs that your filter needs to be changed.
3 Signs That You Need a New Car Air Filter From Your Chevy Dealer
The Filter Is Dirty
The filter is one of the easiest components to check in your car. Its housed in the air filter box, and the location of this box is shown in your car manual. If you want to check your filter, find its location in the manual, then pop the hood. The air filter box is easy to open, and once it’s open you’ll see the condition of your filter.
A good filter is white or cream, but if your filter is brown, gray, or black it’s blocked. Sometimes, however, the filter may be blocked, but it’s not easy to see. The numerous folds in the filter’s surface can hide the dirt. If you’re not sure about the condition of your filter, come into our service center. One of our technicians will check your filter and replace it if it’s damaged.
Engine Misfiring
Engine misfires can be caused by a blocked air filter. Your engine needs far more air than fuel for combustion. Air and fuel mix in the intake manifold and is then injected into the cylinders. In the cylinders, this mix is compressed and then ignited by the spark plugs. If your air filter is blocked, however, compression will be weaker, and ignition will be more difficult.
If there isn’t enough air in the cylinders, the cylinders become fuel rich. Your spark plugs can’t ignite correctly in a fuel-rich environment, and the reduced compression adds to the problem. If ignition doesn’t take place correctly, you’ll hear the bangs and pops from misfiring.
Black Exhaust Smoke
Exhaust smoke is normally thin and white. If your exhaust is producing cloudy black smoke, this means there’s too much unburnt fuel in the exhaust. The main reason for unburnt fuel is a blocked air filter. As we’ve seen, a lack of air creates a fuel-rich environment in your engine. Much of this fuel won’t burn due to lack of air.
The unburnt fuel is pushed into your exhaust system and will exit your car as black smoke. Once the air filter is replaced, the exhaust smoke will return to normal.
When you need a new air filter, call us today at Randy Wise Chevrolet.
Image via Car and Driver
Connect with us
