Is a bath sponge suitable as temporary fix for car air filter?

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Is a bath sponge suitable as temporary fix for car air filter?

This topic has 31 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 19 January 2023 at 18:33 by Simon Robinson 4.

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18 January 2023 at 13:56 #630023
Simon Robinson 4
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@simonrobinson4
After the heavy rain last week I gave my diesel car a check over and discovered rain water had got into my paper air filter and it had fallen apart. There’s a leak at the top of the bonnet and rain water seeps into the air filter box. Thankfully no water got into engine and it turns over as normal.

Is a dry bath sponge suitable to replace the filter with so I can drive out and buy a new air filter?
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18 January 2023 at 13:56 #37116
Simon Robinson 4
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@simonrobinson4
18 January 2023 at 14:01 #630024
lee webster
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@leewebster72680
I have three Austin Sevens, none of them have air filters or were ever fitted with filters. You might notice a difference in performance because the engine will be getting more air. Why not phone a local garage or automotive supplier and ask if will do the car any harm to drive to them? Good luck.
18 January 2023 at 14:23 #630027
john halfpenny
Participant
@johnhalfpenny52803
Air filters are hardly necessary in the UK. One of my vintage cars has done 25K miles in my care without one.
18 January 2023 at 14:23 #630028
john halfpenny
Participant
@johnhalfpenny52803
Air filters are hardly necessary in the UK. One of my vintage cars has done 25K miles in my care without one.
18 January 2023 at 14:41 #630029
Paul Rhodes
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@paulrhodes20292
I will third what John says!
18 January 2023 at 14:43 #630031
Nicholas Farr
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@nicholasfarr14254
Hi, if you have a Turbocharger, I understand that it is very unwise to run it without a proper air filter.

Regards Nick.
18 January 2023 at 14:56 #630033
Clive Brown 1
Participant
@clivebrown1
For a short trip, I'd go without a filter. Diesels have a strong suck, you might end up with a sponge in one of the cylinders.
18 January 2023 at 15:00 #630034
Nigel Graham 2
Participant
@nigelgraham2
That's not a very answerable question because you'd need think of the volume of air the individual sponge can pass at its expected flow-rate. Too porous and it might have implications for a turbo as Nicholas warns; insufficiently porous and you'd probably be running the engine too rich and lowering its power..

I suspect bath-sponges come in as many porosities as shapes and sizes, and I doubt the cashier in Poundland or Boots would be able to advise you on this.
18 January 2023 at 15:37 #630035
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
Order one on line it will come very quickly, might get tomorrow if you pay a bit more.
18 January 2023 at 16:30 #630044
Mike Poole
Participant
@mikepoole82104
If getting wet continues to be a risk then maybe K&N do a non paper element filter for that application. I would be more worried about a hydraulic lock but sucking a soggy filter into the engine is not to be recommended, If it got stuck on an exhaust valve seat it could soon wreck the valve.
Mike.
18 January 2023 at 16:36 #630046
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
Totally agree with Duncan, get on line and order yourself one, you will most probably get it before the weekend.
18 January 2023 at 16:49 #630047
V8Eng
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@v8eng
Deleted V8

Edited By V8Eng on 18/01/2023 16:51:38
18 January 2023 at 17:59 #630059
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
Don't play around with air filters. Get the right one and get it in. Any engine is extremely costly to repair or replace these days, not smart for OP to risk one on an air filter substitute. (or for any other filter, for that matter)

Edited By Jeff Dayman on 18/01/2023 17:59:52
18 January 2023 at 18:48 #630070
Dave Halford
Participant
@davehalford22513
Modern engines may refuse to run if the air supply does not fall with in the specs. Limp mode isn't fun.

Your real problem is that the water will probably do it again. Are you sure it hasn't got there from a big water splash?

A lot of modern cars have a very low air inlet behind the bumper.
18 January 2023 at 19:41 #630074
Samsaranda
Participant
@samsaranda
I wouldn’t use a sponge in place of the proper air filter it will inevitably be sucked into the engine, proper air filters have reinforcements that prevent this happening. A drive to the dealers to get a replacement wouldn’t hurt the engine, it would only be potentially harmful if you decided to run without permanently. Dave W
18 January 2023 at 20:51 #630084
Martin Kyte
Participant
@martinkyte99762
Well it will certainly mop up the water that gets into your engine space.

regards Martin
18 January 2023 at 20:56 #630086
Chris Mate
Participant
@chrismate31303
A sponge filter should have a wire mesh/metal perforated plate(small holes) to rest against to prevent it from being sucked in, if its restricted I think you going to have a lazy diesel engine as oppose to an enriched(choked) petrol engine with a carburettor.
18 January 2023 at 21:16 #630088
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
What on earth kind of car do you have that a) Lets so much water in around the bonnet b) Allows so much water to enter the air-filter housing and c) Has such a junky filter element that it disintegrates on contact with water, which is a common component of intake air? Lada? Trabant? Other?

The rest of us would like to be forewarned to avoid that brand and model, whatever it is.
18 January 2023 at 21:23 #630089
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
DO NOT DO IT ! run without, I dont know where you are but you can use my trade account if you have an MPD branch near you. Noel.
18 January 2023 at 21:38 #630091
Jon Lawes
Participant
@jonlawes51698
Is the car french by any chance? Seemingly a french design technique is to put the air inlet low to the ground for cold air, I've noticed it more on my french cars than other brands.
18 January 2023 at 21:48 #630092
Samsaranda
Participant
@samsaranda
A few years ago my neighbour had a Renault and he drove through some floodwater and the engine stopped. It had ingested a considerable amount of water because the air intake was so low down in the engine compartment, the engine was totally wrecked, I believe the water caused hydraulicaling in the cylinders and the engine was not repairable. Dave W
19 January 2023 at 08:12 #630115
Simon Robinson 4
Participant
@simonrobinson4
Posted by Jon Lawes on 18/01/2023 21:38:21:

Is the car french by any chance? Seemingly a french design technique is to put the air inlet low to the ground for cold air, I've noticed it more on my french cars than other brands.

No it’s a 2007 Fiat Panda diesel. They put a bolt hole just above the filter box in the window drain Channel and rain water leaks through this hole and drips into the filter box soaking the air filter. I’ve put some grease over the bolt temporarily but will clean it up with cellulose thinners and use silicon seal to stop the rain getting through.
19 January 2023 at 08:17 #630116
Simon Robinson 4
Participant
@simonrobinson4
Posted by Hopper on 18/01/2023 21:16:19:

What on earth kind of car do you have that a) Lets so much water in around the bonnet b) Allows so much water to enter the air-filter housing and c) Has such a junky filter element that it disintegrates on contact with water, which is a common component of intake air? Lada? Trabant? Other?

The rest of us would like to be forewarned to avoid that brand and model, whatever it is.

It’s a 2007 Fiat Panda diesel. It’s a design fault. They put a bolt hole just above the filter box in the window drain Channel and rain water leaks through this hole and drips into the filter box soaking the air filter. Fortunately the filter box has a hole in the bottom so it doesn’t flood with rather but it seems this drain was retro fitted as manufactures knew it was a problem.

I’ve put some grease over the bolt temporarily but will clean it up with cellulose thinners and use silicon seal to stop the rain getting through.
19 January 2023 at 08:28 #630118
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Simon Robinson 4 on 19/01/2023 08:12:56:

No it’s a 2007 Fiat Panda diesel. They put a bolt hole just above the filter box in the window drain Channel and rain water leaks through this hole and drips into the filter box soaking the air filter. I’ve put some grease over the bolt temporarily but will clean it up with cellulose thinners and use silicon seal to stop the rain getting through.

.

Looks like one of the easiest filter-changes possible; **LINK**

Shame some idiot designer spoiled the ship for the proverbial ha’porth of tar

MichaelG.
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