the psychological effect of maintenance...
Discussion
I am really susceptible to feeling that the car goes better even if i do the smallest job on it. Wash it, check oil etc always seems to go better/ smoother afterwards. Changed the air filter and pollen filter on the weekend; the old air filter was clean because it turns out the air was bypassing it due to a knackered bolt holding the housing together. (this would explain the induction noise that i thought was a characteristic of the car, an Alfa 156 TS) Is it my imagination (highly likely i know) or would the car go better with a properly functioning air filter? ie no air getting round it. Also, the pollen filter was the original (1999!) - can i expect any improvement in any way from changing it? The heater etc worked ok before.... Lame post I know, but my mind plays terrible tricks on me.
I think when you carry out maintenance yourself, you know what's been done and that helps for sure. Replacing a 10 year old pollen filter WILL make the heater system more efficient as the old one was almost certainly dirty after a decade.
As for the air filter, I'm pretty sure the car will have been developed to use a standard air filter in a standard (sealed) airbox. By operating outside that spec (ie not sealed) it was not operating as intended. Some will go on about aftermarket air filters, removing it completely, etc etc, but the manufacturer designed it to work with the factory airbox and filter. So yes, it will be operating nearer to standard, and almost certainly better than it was with a bolt missing and flapping around in the wind lol.
As for the air filter, I'm pretty sure the car will have been developed to use a standard air filter in a standard (sealed) airbox. By operating outside that spec (ie not sealed) it was not operating as intended. Some will go on about aftermarket air filters, removing it completely, etc etc, but the manufacturer designed it to work with the factory airbox and filter. So yes, it will be operating nearer to standard, and almost certainly better than it was with a bolt missing and flapping around in the wind lol.
Liquid Tuna said:
I think when you carry out maintenance yourself, you know what's been done and that helps for sure. Replacing a 10 year old pollen filter WILL make the heater system more efficient as the old one was almost certainly dirty after a decade.
As for the air filter, I'm pretty sure the car will have been developed to use a standard air filter in a standard (sealed) airbox. By operating outside that spec (ie not sealed) it was not operating as intended. Some will go on about aftermarket air filters, removing it completely, etc etc, but the manufacturer designed it to work with the factory airbox and filter. So yes, it will be operating nearer to standard, and almost certainly better than it was with a bolt missing and flapping around in the wind lol.
As for the air filter, I'm pretty sure the car will have been developed to use a standard air filter in a standard (sealed) airbox. By operating outside that spec (ie not sealed) it was not operating as intended. Some will go on about aftermarket air filters, removing it completely, etc etc, but the manufacturer designed it to work with the factory airbox and filter. So yes, it will be operating nearer to standard, and almost certainly better than it was with a bolt missing and flapping around in the wind lol.
yes, the pollen filter was black, should improve demisting etc. and that's pretty much what i was thinking about the air filter - just wasn't sure how much of the effect was in my mind. I've felt everything I've ever driven has run better just after being filled with petrol.
One side of my brain says "Clearly nonsense. If anything the additional weight has blunted the vehicle's performance, although almost certainly not to an extent noticeable in this van"
And the other side of my brain replies "it must be cuz the fuel pump doesnt have 2 wrk suking so hard and da fuel is just falling in2 the enjine so it liek its got a TRUBO!!!!!!! i cud totally enter this astra van into WRC and it would win!!! PS note to self buy more of those £5 scratchcards"
One side of my brain says "Clearly nonsense. If anything the additional weight has blunted the vehicle's performance, although almost certainly not to an extent noticeable in this van"
And the other side of my brain replies "it must be cuz the fuel pump doesnt have 2 wrk suking so hard and da fuel is just falling in2 the enjine so it liek its got a TRUBO!!!!!!! i cud totally enter this astra van into WRC and it would win!!! PS note to self buy more of those £5 scratchcards"
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