What Happens if Dirt Gets In Your Engine?
What would happen if you ran your vehicle without an air filter? Your engine needs air for the combustion process. Ambient air is filled with particulate matter—dust, dirt, pollution, pollen, and so on. Without an air filter, that floating debris can contaminate and damage pistons, cylinder walls, and even the MAF sensor. How does dirt damage cylinders and pistons? If dirt or particles enter the cylinders, they can grind between the pistons and the cylinder walls, which will degrade both the piston rings and the walls themselves. If the cylinder walls and piston rings wear down enough, the damage can prevent the rings from sealing—allowing combustion gas to leak into the crankcase (otherwise known as blow-by). Damaged pistons can cause your engine to fail If your engine is experiencing blow-by, the combustion efficiency will be significantly reduced—and you may notice smoke coming from the exhaust, sluggish acceleration, and an increase in the amount of oil that yo...
