A question from Germany about Air Filter for Cummins ISL 405 2003

[Mark Hey]

A question from Germany:

Please check the picture of the airfilter in my 2003 HR Imperial, powered by a Cummins ISL 405 Do i understand it correctly: The air flows into the filter from the top and leaves the filter to the side, in my picture to the left ? So for example the K&N 38-2001S would be right , since the specifications say: "Outlet flange to the side" ? I found the WIX 46891 or Fleetguard AH 1104 or AH 8501 would be right too, is this correct? They all seem to be hard to get in Germany, and the shipping from the US costs a fortune. Anybody has recommendations? Thx in advance, Mark from Germany

[jacwjames]

This type of filter even in the USA is pricey. 

You are correct that a similar filter would work as long as the inlet and outlet are oriented correctly, ideally you'd want to check on the OEM specs of the filter as far as CFM capability and filtering efficiency but generally these filters have similar spec's.  

I did find this site https://www.airfilter-crossreference.com/convert/FLEETGUARD/AH1104  that has cross reference

I'd suggest contacting a supplier that supports large trucks or other similar equipment (mining, construction, logging).  They should be able to assist matching the filter.  I think if you get one with similar dimensions and inlet/outlet size you should be good.

FWIW, I change mine about every 3 years, always keep the old one as a spare just in case. 

Good Luck

[tmw188]

I would agree with Jim. To answer your question yes the air enters the filter from the top. Verify the diameter of the inlet and outlet to be certain. It looks very old with a rust hole on top. I would inspect the flex hose coming in from the top for rot or other tears and holes. 

[96 EVO]

I hope that's not a hole in the top of your filter! That's the filtered air side of your can! That could destroy your engine in short order!!

If you do order another disposable can filter (like you have), ensure it is rated to flow in both directions!

They make identical filters that are only designed to flow from the side to the center, and often have drain holes drilled in the can. These are no good for your installation!

Edited July 28, 2023 by 96 EVO

[tmw188]

25 minutes ago, 96 EVO said:

I hope that's not a hole in the top of your filter! That's the filtered air side of your can! That could destroy your engine in short order!!

If you do order another disposable can filter (like you have), ensure it is rated to flow in both directions!

They make identical filters that are only designed to flow from the side to the center, and often have drain holes drilled in the can. These are no good for your installation!

Good catch Ben!

[Mark Hey]

4 hours ago, tmw188 said:

Good catch Ben!

At least no hole in the "bucket" but it looks ugly . I want to deinstall and inspect it, and remove the surface rust to repaint it to make it at least look good before i might replace it

[tmw188]

Is this coach new to you, just wondering how it got left so long? I wouldn’t stir up the dust and rust trying to clean and make it look better. Maybe cover that hole if you need to run it. I think I would just try to source a new one ASAP and determine if you need a new inlet duct. 

[96 EVO]

8 hours ago, Mark Hey said:

At least no hole in the "bucket" but it looks ugly . I want to deinstall and inspect it, and remove the surface rust to repaint it to make it at least look good before i might replace it

The glue they use on the seams of the paper filtering media can fail after several years.

Yours, with the black painted can, I suspect is the older models which didn't have steel mesh on the inside to contain the paper in the event of a failure.

In other words.... The glue fails, the paper can head straight for your turbocharger!

I would be replacing that unit sooner than later!

[tmw188]

FWIW mine when purchased 1.5 yrs ago came with a painted can and did have the mesh inside. The one I replaced had a galvanized can. 

[96 EVO]

1 minute ago, tmw188 said:

FWIW mine when purchased 1.5 yrs ago came with a painted can and did have the mesh inside. The one I replaced had a galvanized can. 

Good to know!

I thought they stopped painting them at the same time they added the second layer of mesh.

[tmw188]

Different manufacturers I would guess🤷

[96 EVO]

My last painted can didn't have internal mesh (Donaldson label), and my first unpainted can did (also Donaldson label).

The reason I say 'Labeled', is I believe all these filter companies are sourcing these Ecolite filters from the same manufacturer, and slapping their own label on them.

Edited July 28, 2023 by 96 EVO

[Mark Hey]

Thanks to all of you! This was most helpful information about the "mesh" and the possibilities of failures. I made up my mind, I will try to get a new filter as soon as I am able to REALLY know what type of filter i need, what reference number is correct. So, I am sorry to ask again: Is any off my numbers correct, does anyone know for sure?

We have : WIX 46891 or Fleetguard AH 1104 or AH 850 and K&N 38-2001S and by using the link from jacwjames I can look into several more. But if my original model number I posted here  is not correct, I would order the wrong filter!

So please: If anyone knows the correct answer, maybe because someone has the same setup, HR Imperial 38 2003 with a Cummins ISL 400 and his enginebay looks like mine and he has successfully bought a new filter, please help! 😉 Sorry I sound desperate, but to get one of those here in Germany is a little more difficult compared to the US. I cannot simply go to a dealer and ask him to put one of those filters on the counter to take a look. And no, Mann Filters might be the parent company, but they have no idea , they say. And no, Cummins Deutschland is not really helpful. And to order one from America to simply test it costs me around 200-250 bucks. If this gets wrong, and I have to send it back, I burned 500 bucks for nothing! Again, thx for your help, but I still need a number. And, before you suggest to deinstall it and look for numbers: Mine has no stickers anymore, and maybe a number is rusted away or I am to blind to find it, but I cannot identify it.

Greets from Germany , Mark

PS: This forum is way more helpful than the facebook forums, since their answers died down two days ago

[96 EVO]

Looks like the filters you listed are 6" inlet / outlet.

You 'probably' need a filter with 7" inlet outlet (YOU will need to confirm this!)

Get ready for more sticker shock! Here's a list of 7" in/out filters......

https://www.airfilter-crossreference.com/convert/DONALDSON/P537448

[Mark Hey]

Thx 96 EVO, so I will need to deinstall it and measure it

 

[96 EVO]

3 minutes ago, Mark Hey said:

Thx 96 EVO, so I will need to deinstall it and measure it

 

Just undo the large hose facing up to measure the inlet dia. This is the unfiltered air side, so you can't introduce dust into your engine.

The outlet dia will be the same as the inlet.

[Mark Hey]

Thx again for your help 

[Ivan K]

If the link provided by Ben meassured up to your existing one,  I have the same Donaldson filter installed. It was labeled as bidirectional and the media is between metal mesh both sides. The price was $144 before we were blessed with the transitory inflation.  BTW, the part number was listed in my manual. Different engine (ISM) but could be the same filter. Different displacement but yours can run at higher RPM so would make sense.

[96 EVO]

Yeah, that's the filter listed in my owners manual as well.

Right now, I'm running a Baldwin PA2722.

Same filter, just found it a few $ cheaper!

[Mark Hey]

@ IvanK : I just measured mine, and you were absolutly right, it seems to be the Donaldson P 537448 , and I even found a distributor in Germany 😉

Success, thank you all!!

[hitechpete]

A quick search on google brought up several results for Cummins distributors in Germany, when I needed parts for my 2000 Diplomat I bought them from Cummins in the UK, where I live.