water in the air filter hose soaking filter?

[LaMonte Monnell]

I had an issue with some white exhaust smoke on start up, went away in a few minutes. Drove from Clermont to Crystal River fine with no issues. No over heat or rough running, all temps good....

I started the coach today to check for smoke again and none. Heard a funny noise and heard a gurgling sound from side air inlet on right rear side of coach.

I pulled the lower hose off the filter from the upper air vent assembly and some water poured out. dropped the filter out and soaking wet. Order a new filter to be delivered tomorrow am.

Where could this water have come from?

I removed the side louvered cover and the water drain was clogged, could this have filled the compartment and then run down the air tube leaving water at the low point in the hose.?


I think I am losing it sometimes.....

[Gerald Farris]

LaMonte,
From your description, it sounds like all you need to do is clean the water out of the intake piping, replace the air filter, and clean the clog out of the intake water drain to prevent a reocurance of the issue.

It would be a good idea to routinely check that drain in the future because water can damage an air cleaner to the point that it tears allowing dirt into the engine air intake causing servere cylinder liner/piston wear.

Gerald

[Stan Simpson]

Gerald, could you elaborate on this, please? "and clean the clog out of the intake water drain". Where might that be located in the air filter system?

Thanks.

[LaMonte Monnell]

Thanks Gerald for that information. This is something I haven't had an issue with before. Now I know to check this drain occasionally. I had just changed this filter out the beginning of May, now have to change it again already.

We have had so much rain lately it isnt funny. 

The large diameter accordion hose that goes from the side intake clamps at the bottom of the filter housing that has always faced the ground, would it be better to rotate the filter canister so the intake hose enters the inboard side of the filter or leave at the bottom?

[Gerald Farris]

Stan,
The fresh air intake varies with the coach year and model, but all intake systems have a design feature to prevent rain water from entering into the air filter paper element. Normally, this feature is designed into the air intake at the exterior body panel. The exterior panel intake will normally have a box inside the intake grill that allows rain to drain to the bottom below the location that the hose attaches to supply air flow to the air filter. In the bottom of this intake box, there is a water drain that in most cases can allow water to inter the intake hose if it is restricted, especially in heavy rain when the engine is operating.

LaMonte,
Rotating the filter may or may not benefit you, depending on the filter height in relation to the exterior air intake, but normally it is not necessary if the intake is properly designed and the water drain is clean. If the exterior intake is above the filter, it will do no good without a drain hole at a low spot in the hose.   

Gerald