'04 Focus-Lifetime air filter
- Thread starter Colt
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Yes, what about it?
My 03 Duratec *had* a lifetime airfilter, and what a beast of a filter it was. The filter itself is permanentaly sealed inside a plastic housing, and you must replace the entire unit if you want to change it(and for a mighty sum I may add).
I ended up replacing the entire intake tract, so no more godzilla filter for me.
My 03 Duratec *had* a lifetime airfilter, and what a beast of a filter it was. The filter itself is permanentaly sealed inside a plastic housing, and you must replace the entire unit if you want to change it(and for a mighty sum I may add).
I ended up replacing the entire intake tract, so no more godzilla filter for me.
Ranks right up there with "lifetime transmission fluid" and whatnot...turns out it will need replacement, just a matter of *when*
Unless the filter has a way of cleaning itself, there's a strong possibility that it will max filtration-wise (or clog up) out *at some point*
Unless the filter has a way of cleaning itself, there's a strong possibility that it will max filtration-wise (or clog up) out *at some point*
They have been using it in all Duratec Foci since 2003.
It is impossible to get pictures of the actual filter element, as it is sealed inside a plastic housing. However, those that have attempted to look at it have identified as multi layer foam. It does not look like normal foam however, more like a sponge material. When I looked at my unit, I would of swore I saw some form of oil on the filter, but like I said its impossible to tell.
I am not about to crack it open either as its really expensive and I may need to revert to stock later.
I can tell you that my car gained 10hp at the wheels (dino proven) when I removed the factory intake system. On a 144hp engine that is not bad, not bad at all.
It is impossible to get pictures of the actual filter element, as it is sealed inside a plastic housing. However, those that have attempted to look at it have identified as multi layer foam. It does not look like normal foam however, more like a sponge material. When I looked at my unit, I would of swore I saw some form of oil on the filter, but like I said its impossible to tell.
I am not about to crack it open either as its really expensive and I may need to revert to stock later.
I can tell you that my car gained 10hp at the wheels (dino proven) when I removed the factory intake system. On a 144hp engine that is not bad, not bad at all.
I can believe it.
How long is the life expectancy of a Ford Focus?
How long is the life expectancy of a Ford Focus?
With a 10 hp change, do you think they are using some sort of centrifugal action along with the filter? I would hope for the sake of all my former neighbors (farmers like me) that no manufacturer is stupid enough to put such a "lifetime" system on a pickup. Oh, well. I guess if they do that's just all the better for Donaldson...
I think the theory was if they air filter doesn't have to be serviced, then they can put it in a place that's unservicable. In a modern car where front overhangs keep getting shorter and windshields keep creeping forward, it can be a big deal. Sort of like the disapearance of transmission dipsticks and probably soon oil dipsticks.
Still a bad idea in my book. I wonder if the extended OCI would like it?
Still a bad idea in my book. I wonder if the extended OCI would like it?
open your hood and look down between the radiator and the air filter airbox and you will see what Ford has put on your car that makes this possible. You have a "air filter monitor gauge" on it just like the BIG trucks do!! It blow me away to see one on my friends new 05 Focus that they got new for less than 9thou. The monitors are over $40. at the NAPA store just to buy one and over $60 from the Ford dealer where they told me that they had been putting them on the Focus since late 03 which I take to be 04 mobels & on. Just watch the gauge - don't worry about the miles - when it goes "yellow" put a new filter in. I thought it was so cool, I put one on my car too. Used to change filters at about 25thou - so far have 65thou on it and still good per oil samples and gauge.
OK, you folks had me interested, so I decided to research this "lifetime air filter" business a bit more, and came across this SAE Technical Paper on the subject:
http://www.visteon.com/utils/whitepapers/2005_01_1139.pdf
Apparently, it uses some type of oiled foam air filter setup. According to actual field testing, 150,000 miles is consider a normal service interval for this setup. A replacement unit is about $180 online!
Also, IIRC, they consider the average lifespan of a vehicle to be about 150K, FWIW. Now, I wonder why they specify 150K ATF intervals.
[ December 16, 2005, 01:14 AM: Message edited by: Michael Wan ]
http://www.visteon.com/utils/whitepapers/2005_01_1139.pdf
Apparently, it uses some type of oiled foam air filter setup. According to actual field testing, 150,000 miles is consider a normal service interval for this setup. A replacement unit is about $180 online!
Also, IIRC, they consider the average lifespan of a vehicle to be about 150K, FWIW. Now, I wonder why they specify 150K ATF intervals.
[ December 16, 2005, 01:14 AM: Message edited by: Michael Wan ]
Interesting Michael Wan.
The company I work for uses Ford Focus' for two years.
My review.
'04 Focus.
My vehicle has 52000 miles.
5K oil changes.
5w20 oil.
Burns under a qt of oil in that span.
Engine runs well.
Suspension noise(needs front struts) and interior rattles.
All in all not a bad well equipped car for $16.5K.
Not Toyota or Honda quality though.
[ December 16, 2005, 09:48 AM: Message edited by: Colt ]
The company I work for uses Ford Focus' for two years.
My review.
'04 Focus.
My vehicle has 52000 miles.
5K oil changes.
5w20 oil.
Burns under a qt of oil in that span.
Engine runs well.
Suspension noise(needs front struts) and interior rattles.
All in all not a bad well equipped car for $16.5K.
Not Toyota or Honda quality though.
[ December 16, 2005, 09:48 AM: Message edited by: Colt ]
Your Focus got a Mazda engine under the hood which rivals or even exceeds Toyota or Honda quality.
That engine shouldn't be burning any oil with those OCI's.
Usually the Focuses get very few interior rattles. Do you abuse the car?
Ford did do a great job of trying to extract some extra pennies by replacing the interior materials with the cheapo ones as compared to the 2000-2001 models. That could be the reason for the rattles.
Still it's a great car for the money. With the permanent rebates its pricing undercuts Toyota or Honda by a good chunk.
And the Focus is way more fun to drive than the above mentioned competitors.
P.S. The newly redesigned Civic is a different breed though.
That engine shouldn't be burning any oil with those OCI's.
Usually the Focuses get very few interior rattles. Do you abuse the car?
Ford did do a great job of trying to extract some extra pennies by replacing the interior materials with the cheapo ones as compared to the 2000-2001 models. That could be the reason for the rattles.
Still it's a great car for the money. With the permanent rebates its pricing undercuts Toyota or Honda by a good chunk.
And the Focus is way more fun to drive than the above mentioned competitors.
P.S. The newly redesigned Civic is a different breed though.
"Your Focus got a Mazda engine under the hood which rivals or even exceeds Toyota or Honda quality.
That engine shouldn't be burning any oil with those OCI's.
Usually the Focuses get very few interior rattles. Do you abuse the car?"
These are company which are driven much harder.
Not a bad car but IMO not nearly as good as a Honda or Toyota even if the engine is a Mazda.
I own a Toyota.
Night and day difference in just about every aspect.
That engine shouldn't be burning any oil with those OCI's.
Usually the Focuses get very few interior rattles. Do you abuse the car?"
These are company which are driven much harder.
Not a bad car but IMO not nearly as good as a Honda or Toyota even if the engine is a Mazda.
I own a Toyota.
Night and day difference in just about every aspect.
Which Toyota?
A Corolla?
How is it night and day in just about every aspect?
Reliability in general? Sure, who would argue with that? But the diference is very small in the later Focuses which show greatly improved build quality.
Better mileage? Yes.
Better resale value? Yes.
Fun to drive? NO. Not even close. Night and Day.
Smoother, quiter engine? No.
More power? NO.
Purchase price? NO.
The Corolla is a perfect appliance, to get from point A to point B.
That's about it.
There is nothing wrong with that. It all depends on personal preferences.
A Corolla?
How is it night and day in just about every aspect?
Reliability in general? Sure, who would argue with that? But the diference is very small in the later Focuses which show greatly improved build quality.
Better mileage? Yes.
Better resale value? Yes.
Fun to drive? NO. Not even close. Night and Day.
Smoother, quiter engine? No.
More power? NO.
Purchase price? NO.
The Corolla is a perfect appliance, to get from point A to point B.
That's about it.
There is nothing wrong with that. It all depends on personal preferences.
Despite being "old school," the 1.8L Toyota engine is actually quite smooth and provides relatively decent power. Torque and HP are about the same for both the Corolla and Focus.
The car that really interests me is the Cobalt with the 2.2L Ecotec...rock solid engine and has a monster amount of torque for a small car.
The Corolla
Horsepower: 126 hp
Torque: 122 ft-lbs.
The Focus
standard engine:
Horsepower: 136 hp
Torque: 133 ft-lbs.
Optional engine:
Horsepower: 151 hp
Torque: 154 ft-lbs.
The Cobalt 2.2L
Standard engine:
Horsepower: 145 hp
Torque: 155 ft-lbs.
I agree that the Cobalt gets a very powerfull powerplant for a standard version.
[ December 18, 2005, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: vad ]
Horsepower: 126 hp
Torque: 122 ft-lbs.
The Focus
standard engine:
Horsepower: 136 hp
Torque: 133 ft-lbs.
Optional engine:
Horsepower: 151 hp
Torque: 154 ft-lbs.
The Cobalt 2.2L
Standard engine:
Horsepower: 145 hp
Torque: 155 ft-lbs.
I agree that the Cobalt gets a very powerfull powerplant for a standard version.
[ December 18, 2005, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: vad ]
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