When I bought my truck a year ago, I stated a thread about when my fuel mileage might improve, and most said it would be around 20,000 miles. Well, I'm there, and the mileage seems to be going down! It gets really bad, when I tow my boat(around 6500 lbs) to Powell and Mohave. I have not yet replaced my stock filter yet. Should I replace with a K&N, and what should I expect out of it, if I do?

 

Have you changed the fuel filter yet?

That being asked.
I was going to change my air filter at 20,000 miles, so I bought one (from Cummins, heck of a lot cheaper than Dodge Dealer), and my original was probably still good.
It was dirty, had leaves and crud and greasy residue, but my filter minder hadn't moved a millimeter, so it must have still been flowing good.

Mileage had been slowly improving to the current 16mpg average, but hasn't dropped any.

I had an epiphany though, and switched over to the BHAF at that time, didn't notice a MPG improvement though, but if I had an EGT guage it probably doesn't read as high as it used to.

Back to the first statement.
Have you changed your fuel filter yet.


phox

 

Recently I changed my fuel filter AND cleaned my IAT sensor and noticed a reasonably big increase in milage.

 

Allright, I'll change my fuel filter, and clean the IAT sensor. Whatr do I clean it with? What is a BHAF?

 

You can use carb cleaner to clean the IAT. If you havent done it before - heres a link that shows ya how: http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/sensors/IAT/clean.htm

Hopefully your arms are longer that mine. I almost have to lay on top of the engine to reach the sensor.

BHAF - literally stands for "big honkin air filter:...which is a big round or cone shaped filter thats put in place of the stock air box. The main advantage is more airflow and lower exhaust gas temperatures (EGT).

 

Hah Hah! Thanks for the explanation of BHAF. I never would've figured that one out! Is there any certain BHAF that I should look into? I think that I should be able to get the that IAT, I have an 80 inch reach!

 

You can just about use any one of them. There are both paper type (which is recommended) and washable (the washable ones have some performance issues - depends on who you talk to). You can use Fleetguard (AH 19037 or AH 19004), Cummins (AF190047), & others (NAPA etc.) - sorry, no part numbers. Maybe someone else has part numbers for them. Whichever one you get, you will need a 4" inlet. A lot of guys fabricate a heat guard to keep the filter cooler. If you want you can PM me for a template and I will try to find it. If you want to spend some of your hard earned cash look at the Scotty 2 or AFE megacannon - they go a long way to increasing air flow and lowering EGT's in both modified and unmodified trucks.

As for washable elements: K&N (Re-0880) and AFE (Model 20-40044) are the p/n's I have.

 

Here's a pic of the BHAF in operation.

[img height=400 width=500]https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/yabbse/gallery/albums/userpics/IMG_0136.JPG[/img]

It is the Fleetguard 19037.
I also have a Outerwears pre-filter (water resistant cover).
Mounted to the heat shield spoken of (template in Tech Facts)


phox

 

Man! That IS a big air filter! Are there any warranty issues with that one? I guess that means I will be removing the stock airbox?

 

[quote author=cstmfabman link=board=4;threadid=18741;start=0#msg176709 date=1061872616]
Man! That IS a big air filter! Are there any warranty issues with that one? I guess that means I will be removing the stock airbox?
[/quote]

I'm sure there is, I believe the official word is "any aftermarket air filtration", not just K&N.

Since it is made by Cummins (Fleetguard) for the Cummins you wouldn't think there would be any issues.

If your worried about warranty, stick with the factory box and filter, till you hit 100,000 miles.


phox

 

Well, I finally changed my air filter, after 21,00 miles, and it was reaaly dirty, and looked very clogged. I looked like it had oil in the center of it, which made it collect a lot of dirt. The air filter gauge wasn't showing any flow restriction at all! I noticed an improvement in mileage right away, though. I also took the IAT sensor off, to clean it, as you all suggested, but it was perfectly clean, no soot, no discoloration. Is that normal?

 

No body has mention the fuel. It could be me, but when I run premeum diesel fuel I get terrible miliege. But when I run lower grade fuel I get better miliege. Try it, be for warned if your bombed, you might blow more black smoke with the lower grade fuel.

Kimrey

 

replace the filter with a Fleetguard filter. You will need to remove the box and use the original hose. the number from fleetguard is AH19037. It should flow better than stock and last around 20,000 miles. Cost should be around $43.00