Running Without An Air Filter

[Lordbenny]

So, I recently noticed that my Westfields (2.0 Zetec with twin 45mm Dellortos)Pipercross foam air filter has developed a hole so I binned it and started looking on line for a replacement. In the meantime I have run the car a couple of times without the filter and noticed that not only does it sound better but seems to run better too! I also noticed that online that a lot of people running Dellorto & Webber DCOEs don't use filters whether they be in kit cars or classic Fords etc sometimes this due to lack of space. I only do about 1500 miles a year in good weather only. Do I really need an air filter? Am I risking doing damage to my engine by not using one?

[cptsideways]

Ask yourself would you drive your car without a windscreen & no visor?

[New POD]

Yes and No. The abrasive nature of high velocity dust, is not nice, but if you drive on wet days your engine will be fine.

[mybrainhurts]

This could be cruel to wasps. Won't somebody think of the wasps?

[Lordbenny]

They are the answers I was expecting...Filter ordered! Thanks for that.

[Fury1630]

With unused crate Zetecs selling for £750 & new aftermarket air filters costing £300, it's almost worth giving it a try.

Sit-up-&-Beg Pops just had a plate held 1/4" above the intake on three legs to stop 1/2 bricks falling in, but then those engines needed a full strip & de-coke every 20k miles, so life expectancy wasn't too high

[rev-erend]

Old formula 1 and race cars just used to have a steel mesh to stop stones getting in...

[OlberJ]

Change the filter material rather than running without.

More noise generally means less filtration so it just depends how big or small particles you are willing to let into your engine.

Cotton gauze filters give a good balance of filtration and induction roar.

[Huff]

15yrs ago I ran a low-miles MG metro 1275 lump dropped into a mini (as a stopgap) with a velocity stack and no air filter. That engine went from really good running condition and no oil use to <150mile/pint of oil in under 8000 road miles (mostly longish cruises)

The dust in the air is incredibly destructive - it was a free experiment and a good excuse to finish-up and swap to the hotter engine in prep at the time, but I'd never do it deliberately otherwise.