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How to Care for Your Cat® Engine Air Filters
Estimated read time: 2 minutes
Engine air filters are essential to protecting your engine. In the video, we work on a Cat® 335 Excavator, but you can expect the process to be similar on your equipment. Read on to learn more about how to take care of your engine air filters as part of regular engine maintenance.
For all maintenance, you can order everything you need at Parts.Cat.com. Enter your machine’s serial number to see which parts you need for your specific equipment.
To learn more about the engine air filter maintenance process, watch this video or keep reading:
Before getting started, make sure the engine is off and that components have cooled. Increase ventilation by doing this outside, but always wear a respirator and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself, too.
Maintaining Your Engine Air Filter
For best results, never clean the engine filters, and only take them out when you’re replacing them. The general rule is to replace the secondary element every third change of the primary. Depending on your application, you may need to change it more often.
When completing regular checks, squeeze the ejector port. If it’s not opening and closing properly, replace it.
Always be sure to clean around the housing so that when you remove the cover you’re not letting in more dirt.
Changing Your Engine Air Filter
Most equipment has a built-in signal for when the primary filter needs changing. Here's how to do it:
- Remove the precleaner cover and shake out any debris. Clean it with water or compressed air. Make sure you wear protective gear to reduce risk of inhaling harmful particles.
- Take out the primary filter and use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the housing, moving from back to front so that you’re pulling dirt away from the engine.
- If it’s time to change the secondary filter, remove it carefully. But don’t wipe the housing — this could push dirt toward the engine.
- Check the inlet tube for debris or blockages. Wipe it out with a clean cloth if needed.
When installing your new filters, inspect them to make sure they’re in good shape. And check the seals inside the housing, too. If those have gotten damaged, dirt could get through to the engine.
For more information and support, contact your Cat dealer. And always check your Operation and Maintenance Manual for specific instruction and safety procedures.
