Air Filter Element Pricing

Topic: Air Filter Element Pricing (Read 3575 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Filter Element Pricing

March 14, 2017, 06:55:51 pm

The air filter part number for my Cummins is Fleetguard AF1838. Actually according to Barry Beam's info it's AF1838M, but I can't find
that number with the M at the end.

I crossed that number with other brands and came up with these;

Fleetguard AF1838
Hastings AF2312
Baldwin PA3951
Donaldson P151097
Wix 42610

Then I went looking at pricing which ranged from $70.00 - $156.00 and found this, which I just ordered;
Amazon.com: Baldwin PA3951 Heavy Duty Air Element: Automotive

It says they have 3 left!

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #1 – March 14, 2017, 07:23:03 pm

I got one of the Baldwins for $20.00 plus 15.38 shipping from Amazon

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #2 – March 14, 2017, 07:49:04 pm

Good deal.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #3 – March 14, 2017, 07:59:44 pm

It is an amazing price no doubt, but one of the websites I looked at trying to get more information indicated that that air filter has an inside out airflow direction. That would not be appropriate for our 99'. I would be very careful to make sure that it has wire reinforcement on the inside as well as the outside, regardless of the flow direction.
Don

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #4 – March 14, 2017, 08:41:38 pm

Don,

I'll compare it with the old one, but my filter housing looks exactly like the one in these pictures;

The selected media item is not currently available.

I haven't had mine open, but the one pictured appears to be outside-in flow, like mine when I checked to see where the inlet is.
All I had was a Fleetguard part number from my owner's manual to go from, and I crossed it on a manufacturer's website. Maybe there's
reinforcing mesh on both the inside and out?

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #5 – March 14, 2017, 09:34:01 pm

I talked to Baldwin about the air flow issue on that filter. Air flow doesn't matter, wire on both sides well built, I have run them wix and fleetguard.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #6 – March 14, 2017, 09:37:18 pm

Great Bruce............ I tried to give you more than one "like" but the system won't allow it.
Thanks, you saved me a phone call in the morning.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #7 – March 14, 2017, 10:15:09 pm

We recently learned quite a bit about which are the right & wrong air filters.
Some of which is posted here and pages before & after:
Possible water in air filter?

Direction of air flow is called Standard or Reverse and ours is Standard: in the outside & out the end. When I could not buy from our favorite place, I looked around and found an equivalent from a different manufacturer. It had our required metal mesh on in & outer sides, so figured it would be ok for our air flow direction. But after a heads up from another Forum member, I examined it after being in use for several months. I found there were glue/silicone adhesive rings to keep the filter material separated, but this glue was in the inside where if it broke loose, it would be ingested by the turbo.

So direction matters.

What I learned is our Donaldson air filter housing has a label with housing model # and recommended filter. Going to Donaldson web site learned what filter will work and many that will not work. Our filter is on order for our coach from the lowest price seller.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #8 – March 14, 2017, 11:19:12 pm

I read the thread about water in the air filter.

In the picture the Baldwin PA3951 appears to have both gaskets, top and bottom. If it looks like it's well constructed with expanded
metal mesh both inside and out I'll use it and I can always drill a hole for the filter-minder if it's absent.

Baldwin is a name brand, so here's hoping.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #9 – March 14, 2017, 11:20:08 pm

All of the sites selling that Baldwin number that list the specs show it as being an inside to outside air flow direction. I don't know how (other than maybe not having a metal mesh on the inside, or the glue that Barry mentioned) how these things are made to be uni-directional in air flow, but something to be thoughtful about anyway. I read so much about it in the recent past that it still has me scratching my head. I finally gave up thinking about it... but decided to go with the specifications rather than various cross reference charts.
Baldwin Filters Air Filter, 7-13/32 to 10-13/32 x 29 in. PA3951 | Zoro.com

Don

Quote from: Travelin' Man – March 14, 2017, 08:41:38 pm

Don,

I'll compare it with the old one, but my filter housing looks exactly like the one in these pictures;
Air Filter Replacement Instructions

I haven't had mine open, but the one pictured appears to be outside-in flow, like mine when I checked to see where the inlet is.
All I had was a Fleetguard part number from my owner's manual to go from, and I crossed it on a manufacturer's website. Maybe there's
reinforcing mesh on both the inside and out?

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #10 – March 14, 2017, 11:42:54 pm

Traveling man, to remove all doubt Baldwin has great customer service. To ease your mind give them a call thier engineers can answer your questions, that's where I got my answers from as a commercial fleet user of thier products.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #11 – March 15, 2017, 01:06:57 pm

I just communicated with Baldwin and they asked me where I got the crossover info, so I sent them this;

http://www.hastingsfilter.com/Literature/Forms/F192.pdf

Under popular air filters, 25th line from top or 19th from bottom.

Baldwins reply; Thanks for letting me know, I will have them update the sheet. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Me; Boy, I wish I'd known before I ordered it. Too late to cancel now. But, I'm glad I didn't install it and maybe ruin my engine!!

Baldwin again; Thanks for checking with us!

Me; I won't be buying your filters anymore. If I were you I'd be sending me a proper replacement at little or no charge and be thankful that I didn't install the wrong one per your website.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #12 – March 15, 2017, 03:11:32 pm

Thanks to the forum maybe?........................this sounds reasonable to me;

T-Man,

One of my hotline techs, has forwarded your e-mails to me. We apologize for the error in the printed material and have notified the Marketing department that it needs to be corrected.

If you will take the filter back to the distributor you bought it from and tell them what happened, have the order the correct filter for you if they do not have them in stock. Please tell them to contact Baldwin Filters and we will handle the return (I have already spoke to customer service). If you will please give me the distributor (name, address and state), they will place a note in the database so all the representatives are aware of the situation.

Baldwin Filters takes great pride in our filters, and we sincerely hope that you will continue to use our product.

Sincerely,

Teresa Reeder
Catalog Production Supervisor
Baldwin Filters/CLARCOR
Phone 800-822-5394, ext. 79708
Direct 308-237-9708
E-mail: Teresa.Reeder@Clarcor.com

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #13 – March 15, 2017, 06:58:40 pm

I now think we should put little faith in cross-over lists. There is almost NO mention of air flow direction, something we learned on our Forum is very important. Donaldson also just us told us that their web site also has incomplete / incorrect cross info. I am sticking to original brand and model from now on and getting my info from our air filter housing, not even Foretravel listings. BTW, our favorite seller, FilterBarn, switched their main supplier from Fleetguard to Baldwin.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #14 – March 15, 2017, 07:15:20 pm

Several years ago Baldwin engineering told me the filter was fine. It also looks like everyone else's cross reference is wrong as well that's interesting?

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #15 – March 15, 2017, 08:05:49 pm

I have a Fleetguard AF1838 from Filter Barn I installed 2 years ago. With all of this discussion going on, I started reading like you all and realize how confusing the information on cross ref. is out there. When the time comes to replace the filter, I will check my container on my coach for the correct number, then cross ref on Filter Barn, followed up with a call to Baldwin if needed to be sure I get the right filter. I agree with everyone that the air flow makes this much more confusing than it should be ( at least that is my opinion).

Maybe the suppliers need to realize we need KISS information.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #16 – March 15, 2017, 10:04:24 pm

I took the easy road and bought the Donaldson air filter recommended on the container. From now on, when it comes to air filters, no more cross for me. Even found a good price on line. Too many manufacture techs don't understand the enounces of their many air filter part numbers. Just too easy to say it is exactly the same size and they look alike so they should be interchangeable, without knowing all the details.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #17 – March 16, 2017, 10:23:21 am

Teresa,

I contacted Nelson petroleum (the vendor) and luckily the filter hadn't shipped, so they agreed to cancel my order and have Amazon refund my money.

Given all the confusion associated with crossing filter numbers between manufacturers I think I will stick with OEM filters from now on. In this case it's a Fleetguard AF1838.

I appreciate your offer of a correct Baldwin filter replacement, but to be honest I'm hesitant to accept it due to the fact that the dimensions of your PA2660 and the AF1838 are dissimilar, as can be seen by comparing these two links;.

Baldwin Filters® PA2660 - Conical Air Filter Element
Fleetguard | AF1838

Thank you,
T-Man

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #18 – March 16, 2017, 11:00:51 am

FYI: Filter Barn isn't going to carry Fleetguard once their stock is exhausted. They are replacing it with(you guessed it) Baldwin.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #19 – March 16, 2017, 12:09:10 pm

I just looked at the Donaldson filter canister label on the bottom for a filter number but there is none. That box is blank.

So I'm going with what my owner's manual says........................Fleetguard AF1838.

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #20 – March 16, 2017, 12:28:46 pm

This is a bit off-topic, perhaps. About 15 years ago, one of the first things I did to our U270/Cummins 8.3 was to install an airfilter that is cleanable. The instructions said to "recharge" when the air restriction is 25. I have never seen that value. I clean it with garden hose pressure, let the element dry, then recharge the oil with a $12 package, from most any autoparts place, and then good to go. I have done this twice in 15 years. Easy to do. Easy engine starts. Everything seems okay doing this for 70K miles. Andy1

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #21 – March 16, 2017, 12:30:00 pm

This is a bit off-topic, perhaps. About 15 years ago, one of the first things I did to our U270/Cummins 8.3 was to install an air filter that is cleanable. The instructions said to "recharge" when the air restriction is 25. I have never seen that value. I clean it with garden hose pressure, let the element dry, then recharge the oil with a $12 package, from most any autoparts place, and then good to go. I have done this twice in 15 years. Easy to do. Easy engine starts. Everything seems okay doing this for 70K miles. Andy1

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #22 – March 16, 2017, 12:35:02 pm

T-man that's what I currently have in mine. As I said over the 12 years I've had the coach I have run Baldwin, Wix, and FG with no issues ( confirmed with oil sampling)

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #23 – March 16, 2017, 12:40:42 pm

Bruce I just looked up the Donaldson P18-8043 which crosses to the AF1838 and the specs indicate that the Donaldson is almost
1" shorter than the Fleetguard. In fact I cannot find one other cross that has matching dimensions to the AF1838.

I just contacted Cummins here in Ft. Myers, FL and they told me there are no AF1838's available anywhere around the state.

The problem is that I don't know what filter I have now. Guess I can open the canister up and have a look, using a tape measure and hopefully find a part number somewhere.

Talked to tech rep at Fleetguard and after a 5 minute wait he confirmed airflow on AF1838 as outside-in. However his CAD drawing or whatever he was referencing didn't show expanded mesh on the inside. When asked about flow direction he said the filter media didn't make the difference, only the placement of the expanded mesh.

So with mesh on both the inside and outside the filter is bi-directional???

Re: Air Filter Element Pricing

Reply #24 – March 16, 2017, 03:32:00 pm

I would think so, the filter media shouldn't have different properties on each side and would filter the same in or out. I am not an expert in physics so this is my opinion.

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