Air Filter Makes Diesels Run Smooth

Air Filter Makes Diesels Run Smooth ENGINES Engines 31-4-38 Rough idling, lost torque at high rpm's, and hard starting are common results of getting air in diesel fuel, says Charles Ekstam. To get the air out, he developed the Air Dog system for large and small diesels, including pickups and diesel tractors. While other filtration systems remove water and contaminates, Ekstam says air removal is vital. "When fuel sloshes around in the tank, it mixes with air," explains Ekstam. "Air gets in the fuel filter and creates a void. When you start up, it has to be pumped through, and that creates white smoke and makes the engine hard to start." The problem doesn't end there. Pump cavitation is caused when the fuel pump creates a vacuum in the tank. Atmospheric pressure drives air into the pump and into the fuel. The air vapor in the operating engine delays compression and retards timing, creating black smoke when the engine starts to pull. Ekstam's solution is to pull the air out of the fuel, cycling it back to the tank so positive pressure is maintained in the tank, eliminating cavitation. The PureFlow system also maintains positive fuel flow pressure on the transfer pump so the engine is always provided with needed fuel. Excess fuel, like the air, cycles back to the tank. "It lets diesel engines run at maximum efficiency," says Ekstam. "It's like a constant tune-up on the engine. A side benefit is that they burn much cleaner." The system also takes water and particulates out of the fuel. Ekstam says the latest version has 2-micron filters. That is especially important with diesel engines that sit for extended periods between firing, such as combines, high horsepower tractors used for tillage and semi tractors used mainly at harvest. "As diesel fuel degrades and ages, it forms insoluble gums 0.5 to 1.5 microns in size," explains Ekstam. "When you get water in the fuel, these gums will bind in clumps of up to 130 microns and plug a standard fuel filter. The trick is to keep the water out before you start the engine." "You can put a switch on the line to run the filter without starting the engine and even put it on a timer to cycle fuel on a regular basis," says Ekstam. "It makes starting after sitting for 6 months like you just shut it off." The system is easy to install, especially on single fuel tank trucks. The AirDog is only 3 in. wide by 7 in. long by 10 in. high and simply bolts in place. Installation is made on the fuel line between the tank and the transfer pump. The wiring harness includes a line to the fuel solenoid on the pump and an indicator light on the dash that tells when to change the filter. "I have seen late 1980's diesels burn as clean as today's emission-controlled diesels," says Ekstam. "When you drive a diesel with one of these, it is completely different from before it was installed. One firm has had them on 30 trucks for 7 years and only lost three injectors." Ekstam also produces large units for bigger diesels. He built his first unit in 1993 and got into production in 1996. He says the company has foundered due to personal health problems and licensing it to two different companies in the intervening years. With his health restored, he has regrouped and is expanding from trucking and bus fleet markets to the smaller diesel market. The AirDog is priced at $639. Larger models for the biggest diesels cost more. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, PureFlow Technologies, Inc., 5400 Business 50 W, Suite 8, Jefferson City, Mo. 65109 (ph 573 635-0555; toll free 877 463-4373; fax 573 635-0778; www.pureflowtechnologies. com).

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