Poll: Knowing it might void your engine warranty, would you run an aftermarket air filter?

Nice thread @Stocklocker! Glad to see some good come of the other thread.

 

I'll chime in with the crotchety old man comment, and I must admit that I didn't follow the thread about the engine failure.

Using any reasonable product in a reasonable way, and actually knowing what you are doing, should be fine. People that know what they are doing, check things often, and take good care of their vehicles will get a lot of miles out of them. Like the guy with 500K on his truck -- you can tell that vehicle is very well cared for. Toyotas seem to handle negligence and ignorance a bit better than many other brands, and many people think they can modify them and/or drive the crap out of them and just expect them to be bullet-proof.

Someone that knows what they are doing should 1) be able to spot the defect with the product they are installing or 2) realize once installed that there is an issue with it before it gets to the point of causing engine failure.

I guess my point is that if you don't know what you're doing, it's probably best to leave it alone or to a professional. Understand the consequences of your actions and don't expect the manufacturer to bail you out when you screw something up -- and read the warranty (which ties back to consequences). I am all for people learning how to do their own maintenance and repair work. It's not hard, but some basic knowledge of how things work on a vehicle is kind of required, and come here to TW for help if you need it.

I voted no, as the only real benefit I see is cost over time, but I find it easier to just swap the filter out than do the cleaning. If you think it looks cool, go with the TRD setup so you are at least staying within the Toyota warranty guidelines -- plus it maintains the stock cold air intake design.

 

It's worth noting that the AFE filter in that test actually stacked up pretty well against the competition. In fact it had one of the lowest measures of dirt allowed through the filter. It wasn't their dry flow model though, it was the "Pro Guard 7" model that is oiled (and I think also has a layer of foam, but not 100% sure).

The dry filters are essentially paper filters made to be washed. Metal mesh to keep the shape and some layers of synthetic fiber very close to paper filters but designed to withstand a splash of soap and water every now and again.

I'd say it's fair to say I run my truck in dusty environments:

(This is maybe 1,500 miles since the last time I wiped down and washed the engine bay!)

And the inside of my intake piping is clean as a whistle:


Anyways at this point I'm just reiterating my statement that I have full confidence in a dry filter, but will return to paper filters due to a lack of confidence in the grey area of engine warranty. CYA in the meantime of 9 bucks a filter is a no brainer.

 

Have you read the TRD warranty?

 

yes, Toyota TRD aftermarket parts will not void the Toyota warranty, all other non TRD aftermarket accessories will

 

Ive used drop in AFE dry filters for years on several different gas/diesel engines, never had an issue. Each oil change I beat off any accumulated dust, wash it when needed and havent had any dust get past a filter. GM LS engines, Dodge Cummins diesels, etc. I like having slightly more flow(on other engines, not really the taco) and the ability to clean/reuse it.

Its also pretty easy/common sense if you are going to take something in for warranty work, the vehicle goes back to stock if you dont want unneeded attention. In relation to the other thread about the AFE filter being deemed the reason the engine was not covered under warranty for repairs, the owner left the dirty filter in (that hasnt been cleaned enough possibly) and just handed an excuse to the dealership to void any warranty on a silver platter.

 

Mind posting it?

 

I voted no; not because "It's not worth the risk." but rather because there is no benefit to doing so. The OEM air filters on any modern vehicle (i.e. the last 20, arguably 30, years) are enormous and have enormous air flow capacity as compared to any n/a engine's needs--also most all modern vehicles come stock with cool air intakes.

Between CAFE requirements and fuel economy marketing wars the automakers have no reason not to install efficient intakes, and numerous reasons as to why to do so...

 

I think that only applies with documented proof of dealer installation

 

If it's not worth the risk under warranty, it's not worth the risk out of warranty. Why would you want to risk losing a motor over a nebulous performance air filter?

That said, there's has to be more to that story than we know.

Engines I've seen ruined in the past from sand ingestion was based on cylinder scoring and ring wear, not much in the top end. And that was intake induced, not fuel or lubricant.

 

The only filter and intake you can run without your warranty being voided if something happens is the TRD stuff plain and simple.

 

Due to my personal past experiences with oiled air filters on my 1st Gen Taco, the only engine I will ever put one on is my 2-stroke chain saw. Not only is that good for it, it loves oil, in fact, it eats oil for breakfast lunch and dinner.

 

Back in '80 when St. Helens exploded I was in the S. Alberta oil patch. It was pitch black @ noon for days from the ash fallout. The stationary engines we used had filters the size of small water heaters with a combination of oil bath & dry/washable technology. We swapped them out every two hours of operation. That's about how long they lasted in those extreme conditions. Took a load over to an outfit that washed & serviced these on a regular basis. The tech. told me that they would only warranty one wash & no more. So I just stick with the throw away paper version & be done with it.

 

If my engine was not supercharger and was stock, I probably would stay with a stock filter but I don't think the OEM filters were designed to have 10 plus pounds of boost pulled! through the paper, we are taking Toyota engines, not a Diesel engine which is different. I installed my KN filter when I bought my trunk new under warranty and have been useing a KN Filter for 550,000 miles. If KN filters (after market filters were bad, some maybe) How is it I have so many miles? Proof is in the pudding.

 

Wow. The plot thickens.

 

I don’t know if this website is incredibly out of date, but it does not list the 3rd Gen TRD Tacoma air intake under the “race or off highway” use category. Maybe the newer TRD stuff is warrantied.

 

Your filter is on the engine side (boosted side) of your SC? I think you mean pulled through it. Should be no issues with that. I have happily pulled 40+lbs of boost through factory filters on sequential twin-turbo diesels.

Most of the CAIs and "freer flowing filters" out there reduce performance. The gains to be had with these n/a engines are on the exhaust side. So, the answer is NO. These things are mostly snake oil.

 

No, because what's the point?

Performance gains? Cost savings? Both of those are negligible.

Cheap oem filters all day every day. Why risk it with your truck?

I didn't following that other thread closely but if Toyota can prove the AFE filter caused the problem, then that guy should hold AFE accountable. Otherwise it's a warranty issue.

I can say right now that that thread will make me think twice about buying their products. As in, I wouldn't.

 

So here is a non-sarcastic, genuine question I would like answered by anyone on this forum with connections to Toyota:

If I take my 2017 TRD ‘Off Road’ Tacoma, which Toyota intends me to drive off road (hence the name) to my local dealer and have the TRD cold intake and filter installed, have I voided my engine warranty if the TRD filter fails off-road (“off highway”) and fills my engine with dust?

Does installation of the TRD C.A.I. and filter reduce the engine warranty coverage on my new vehicle????

 

The challenge is that AFE, moreso than K&N, or FRAM, specifically limits their liability, in all cases, to the cost of the filter, no question. So even if they admit the filter is defective, all you get is a new filter.