Air flow direction for Mann cabin air filter?

[SlickGT1]

Son of a b##$@. I just went to look at mine. Arrows up. I was mistaken.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by cn90

@X5only,

For the sake of discussion:

- Home HVAC air filter has a metal mesh on the downstream of the filter b/c the blower is very powerful (about 1/3HP or so) and can (and will distort) the filter element. The metal mesh is there to catch the paper filter from flying apart etc. So directional installation is important.

- Re E53: the above direction is correct (i.e. the arrow points in the correct path). However, the arrow is not that critical in the car b/c:
a. The blower is weaker than the home blower.
b. No metal mesh.

BTW, the filter element is non-directional, you can blow air in either direction and it will trap dust particles anyway.

Now the academia is over, we can drive the car and enjoy it...

Well, the picture shows clearly it's directional on two counts as pointed out in the pic.

[Ven]

I just fixed mine. Thanks for the clarification.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by X5only

Well, the picture shows clearly it's directional on two counts as pointed out in the pic.

So why do they have the wording printed so that when the filter is installed correctly the wording is upside down???



Make more sense to print it with the arrow pointing up and the wording up so that you can read it without needing to tilt your head.

[kvc]

Originally Posted by upallnight

So why do they have the wording printed so that when the filter is installed correctly the wording is upside down???



Make more sense to print it with the arrow pointing up and the wording up so that you can read it without needing to tilt your head.

Perhaps the filter suits more than one type of vehicle and others have it installed the opposite way??

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Does it really matter? Air will still flow if you have the filter installed wrong.

Is there a right side to wipe your ass with the toilet paper?

I think this only matters if you buy the Kmart version of toilet paper with the twin layer high friction- sandpaper side. Or is it the wire brush version?
Oh, the pain, the pain!!!!

[cn90]

Originally Posted by X5only

Well, the picture shows clearly it's directional on two counts as pointed out in the pic.

I think you missed my point.

The filter element is non-directional. In other words, the paper filter element can filter particles no matter which direction.

The arrow you point to is the foam to seal around the filter. The foam's sole purpose is to seal, not to filter.

I guess we all have a slow day on the news lol...

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

I think this only matters if you buy the Kmart version of toilet paper with the twin layer high friction- sandpaper side. Or is it the wire brush version?
Oh, the pain, the pain!!!!

We don't skimps on our toys and cars, so Mrs. Upallnight is not going to go to K-Mart to buy toilet paper.

She buys the soft brands at Tar Jay.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by cn90

I think you missed my point.

The filter element is non-directional. In other words, the paper filter element can filter particles no matter which direction.

The arrow you point to is the foam to seal around the filter. The foam's sole purpose is to seal, not to filter.

I guess we all have a slow day on the news lol...

[StephenVA]

Ha ha good one.... TP, good is always better. Recycled cardboard = pain.

I think this debate is moving into science not application installation procedure. Yes, everyone agrees that filtration media will function forward or backwards to air flow and it will remove airborne particulate matter down to x.x microns. I think the OP question was which way to install the preformed panel filter. If he is using the Mann charcoal impregnated ones it makes a big difference on filter effectiveness and life span.

Air flow is up.