What damage will the air filter blockage cause to the engine?

As an important part of the automobile engine intake system, the air filter has the main function of filtering the air entering the engine to prevent impurities such as dust, pollen, and abrasive particles from entering the combustion chamber, thereby protecting the engine from damage. However, when the air filter is not replaced for a long time or is not properly maintained, it may become blocked, which will cause a series of serious damage to the engine.

1. Reduced engine power

When the air filter is blocked, the engine's intake resistance increases and the intake volume is significantly reduced. This means that the engine cannot get enough air to support the full combustion of the fuel, resulting in reduced combustion efficiency. The decline in combustion efficiency directly affects the engine's power output, making the vehicle unable to accelerate and the power significantly reduced. This decline in power performance not only affects the driving experience, but may also pose a threat to driving safety.

2. Increased fuel consumption

Due to the reduction in intake volume caused by the blockage of the air filter, the engine often increases the amount of fuel injection in order to achieve the required power output. However, this practice of increasing the amount of fuel injection cannot make up for the reduced combustion efficiency caused by insufficient intake, but will instead lead to increased fuel consumption. This not only increases the car owner's car use cost, but also aggravates environmental pollution.

3. Engine overheating

The blockage of the air filter may also affect the cooling effect of the engine. When the amount of air entering the engine is reduced, the heat generated by combustion cannot be effectively dissipated through air convection, resulting in engine overheating. Engine overheating will accelerate the wear and aging of its internal parts and shorten the service life of the engine.

4. Increased emission pollution

The blockage of the air filter will lead to incomplete fuel combustion, and more harmful gases such as carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides will be produced inside the engine. The emission of these harmful gases will not only pollute the environment, but also may harm human health. At the same time, the increase in emission pollution may also make the vehicle unable to pass environmental protection testing, causing unnecessary trouble to the owner.

5. Increased risk of engine failure

Not changing the blocked air filter for a long time may also cause more serious engine failures. Due to the increased wear inside the engine, problems such as cylinder strain and piston jamming may occur. These problems will not only lead to a decline in engine performance, but also may prevent the engine from working properly, requiring a lot of time and money for repair.