Replacement Panel Filter

I

bought this replacement panel filter primarily to save money, rather than for any other benefit to the car. Installation was a doddle, or at least, it would be if you have the correct tools.

Fitting

The Ka’s airbox is held in place by four screws, one of which is tucked away in the back under the flexible pipe that goes from the top of the airbox to the engine. It’s a simple job to unscrew the airbox lid, open it up and swap the filter elements.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the correct tools to hand. I couldn’t reach the final screw. This picture illustrates my predicament: I can reach three, but the final one remains stubbornly hidden under that fat, flexible air pipe!

After dropping some wee swearies and trying almost every tool I have in my (paltry) collection, I eventually decided upon unscrewing the other three, and gently levering up the front of the air box, so as to facilitate the removal of the old Ford air filter, and slot the new one in.

Now, this procedure isn’t to be advised. I’m sure my engineer buddies can come up with a technical term for what I was doing, but in normal language, I was putting the air box components under rather more stress than they are probably designed for. But then I guess you could say the same about me, for not having an appropriate flexible screwdriver!

However, with a bit of gentle persuasion, the old filter came out, which this next picture shows. Fortunately, the air filter wasn’t stuck in place. It was actually easier to slot the K & N filter in place, owing to the fact that it was half as thick as the Ford item. This next picture shows the old Ford paper element being teased out of place.

And then it was simply a case of re-screwing the airbox back in place, checking to make sure that nothing was left over (a usual habit of mine!) and then starting the car. One of two quick checks that the donk still runs and bosh, we’re done!

Why Bother?

High performance air filters are bought for three reasons. One, is to increase (or improve) the induction noise. The second reason is to increase the power of the engine, by allowing more air in (which then means that more fuel is squirted in, thus more power). The third reason - and the easiest to quantify! - is that you will not need to replace it, just give it a periodic wash and re-oiling.

My Expectations

I was expecting little, if any, improvement in any respect of the Ka, besides reducing the service costs. I certainly wasn’t expecting the Ka to suddenly feel quicker, or to have an induction snarl. If there was to be any improvement in fuel economy, I believe it will be so trivial that it will be impossible to detect.

The Results

To my surprise, the Ka immediately showed some benefits after installing the air filter. One, is the engine noise. It’s quieter! At all engine speeds, excepting idle, the engine is rather quieter than before. He has lost his higher pitched, rather whiny noise. At low revs, there is a subtle, slightly sporty sounding induction growl, but this soon goes as the revs rise.

It does feel as though low down response has been slightly improved, especially when snapping the throttle open, but this is hard to prove, and of course, I’m well aware that this may be psychological.

It’s not possible to prove is there has been any reduction in Kermit’s fuel consumption but he hasn’t become any thirstier.