To address the need for extra protection from dust and dirt with washable/reusable oil-impregnated cotton gauze filters, aFe developed a new filtration technology so revolutionary that we applied for and received a patent.  This new filtration technology is aptly called Pro-GUARD 7.  5 layers of progressively finer mesh medical grade cotton gauze with micro fibers that attract smaller and smaller particles as air passes through is combined with 2 layers of random-porosity non-woven synthetic polyester fabric.  These 7 layer combination of cotton gauze and non-woven polyester is sandwiched between 2 layers of epoxy coated aluminum wire mesh. 

Because of compression ignition of diesel engines, tolerance are much tighter than in a gasoline spark ignition engine.  These tight tolerances require clean air and lots of it.  Diesel engine require 7 times more air than a gasoline engine of equivalent size. The patented Pro-GUARD 7 filter media delivers more cool clean air needed for extended engine life, better fuel economy and additional power

Maximum Protection

When you use your vehicle in a severe duty or work application, it is important to give the engine a high level of protection from dirt and dust.  With 7 layers of media, Pro-GUARD 7 is able to offer the level of protection to the engine that is unsurpassed of any washable/reusable filters.  Even fine dust is effectively filtered out and kept from entering the engine intake.  When the vehicle needs to make it through the long haul, Pro-GUARD 7 will offer the protection you need.  Take a simple "white glove or towel" test.  Wipe the inside of your intake tract with white cloth and see if there is any dust. 

High Efficiency

Efficiency refers to a filters ability to efficiently filter out the dust and dirt particles from entering the air intake of the vehicle over time.  Pro-GUARD 7 was developed with the need for high efficiency in mind.  Generally accepted SAE standard for filtration efficiency is 99.5% fine dust.  There is course dust efficiency and fine dust efficiency.  99.50% course dust efficiency is not difficult to achieve.  Typical performance/cotton gauze filters will five you the airflow you need, but they sacrifice filtration efficiency to do so.   They achieve the 99.5% course dust efficiency.  The 99.5% fine dust efficiency is a different matter.  Fine dust is what you want to keep out in the tighter tolerance turbo diesel engine. Pro-GUARD 7 has been tested to surpass 99.5% fine dust filtration efficiency while delivering high airflow. 

Greater Dust Holding Capacity & Longer Service Intervals

Holding more dust simply means that you will end up with a longer interval before needing to service your filter.  The progressive nature of the cotton gauze and the deep pleats enable Pro-GUARD 7 to hold over 11 times the dust of a paper filter before needing to be cleaned or serviced.  The layers of cotton and synthetic media are able to hold the dirt while still allowing air to pass through.  The paper and foam filter elements become clogged quickly as dirt particles deposit onto the face of the filter media...that mean less air getting to your engine and more frequent and shorter service cycles. 

The less often a filter requires cleaning or service, the better.  The more dust a filter holds, less often the filter has to be serviced.  With Pro-GUARD 7 filter media's great dust holding capacity, typical service interval is 50,000 miles in normal driving conditions and 25,000 miles in severe dust environments.  Longer service intervals from greater dust holding capacity also reduces the chances that the filter will be sucked into the intake system.  As a filter gets clogged with dirt, it passes less and less air.  As the turbo continues to draw air into the engine, vacuum can become so great that a clogged filter with all the accumulated dirt can get sucked into the intake system.  Considering the maintenance costs involved with work and fleet vehicles, minimizing the frequency of maintenance translates to a better bottom line. 

Better Air Flow & More Power

Allowing more cool, clean, unrestricted airflow is a key element in increasing engine performance.  Pro-GUARD 7 filtration technology allows airflow that matches the performance of cotton-gauze filters.  Increasing the amount of air the engine breathes and doing it with less effort increases horsepower and torque.   As an engine performance more efficiently, it improves fuel mileage as long as driving patterns remain the same.  Better airflow through the engine also translates to lower exhaust temperatures which is critical to prolonging the life of the turbo.  Pro-GUARD 7 offers this level of performance without sacrificing filtration efficiency.

Giving your engine more air and letting it breathe easier translates simply into more power.  Because the engine gets the air it needs without impediment, it gets it faster and with greater velocity.  Plenty of quick, fast air translates to faster turbo spool up, better acceleration and more torque which is the sensation you really feel as you give the vehicle gas.  You will especially feel the power when you are towing and climbing a hill. 

Better Value

Extended service interval, higher airflow, high filtration efficiency, better fuel economy and better protection help with the total cost of vehicle ownership and operation.  Value is more than what you pay for a part. It is the combined impact of the part on the total cost of owning the vehicle.  This involves not only the financial impact but also the enjoyment you receive from the part.  The Pro-GUARD 7 filter media off tremendous value by increasing power, lowering maintenance cost, and providing years of great "seat of the pants" enjoyment.

Here is what Dan Montegari, owner of Precision Diesel Services said about Pro-GUARD 7 filter media.

HIGH FLOW AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS
WHO IS THE BEST & WHY!

            "We received many letters asking which high flow air intake system to use.  We decided to test a number of manufacturers’ systems to determine which system was superior.  We tested each system and found systems manufactured by AFE (Advanced Flow Engineering) were the best by far.

Diesel engines use seven times more air than gasoline engines of equivalent size so clean cool air is a must for extended engine life, better fuel economy and additional power.  A higher flow of intake air coupled with a high flow exhaust system allows for more power, a better fuel economy, extended engine life and reduced exhaust temperatures.  On the other hand ingested dirt through the air intake system becomes Silicon in the engine oil, which is a harsh cutting agent and can damage your engine quickly.

We tested three very popular systems. I will not mention the names of the other systems as a courtesy but I will explain what problems we found with them.  We evaluated the systems by a number of criteria, filtration protection, flow, and design, easy of installation and cost.  Almost in the beginning of the tests we realized in most instances a new intake system was necessary to achieve our goals.  We needed a kit that used mostly outside air and not hot engine compartment air.  We decided to use systems designed to use mostly outside air.

Two manufacturers claimed their systems delivered cleaner air at a higher flow but this was far from the truth.  We did not believe any of the manufacturers’ claims and tested each system by operating the vehicle 3,000 miles and performing an engine oil analysis to determine Silicon levels in the engine oil.  The vehicle we used has an engine oil analysis performed at every oil change so we had a Silicon number of three (3) to base our tests on.

The first manufacturer’s system was fairly easy to install but we had problems with the oil used to coat the filter also coated the Mass Air Flow Sensor causing a service engine lamp to come on.  I called the manufacturer but they had no explanation as to why this should happen but they had this complaint before.  Through the three thousand mile test I had to clean the sensor three times to stop the service engine lamp from coming on.  When the oil analysis results came back, it was discouraging with Silicon levels at eleven (11). I almost could not believe the result so we changed the oil and filter and repeated the test.  The results were almost the same eliminating this manufacturer quickly.  I contacted the manufacturer to discuss the results and they were not helpful and basically said, “what you see is what you get”!

We installed the second manufacturer’s system again changing the engine oil and operating the vehicle for three thousand miles.  The first problem we encountered was the service engine lamp coming on and I thought the oil they used was coating the sensor again.  I removed the sensor and found some oil on it which I cleaned off and reinstalled the sensor.  Within ten miles the lamp was on again.  I removed the sensor but there was no coating of oil on it.  I then placed our scan tool on the engine and quickly discovered the airflow rate was too high for the sensor.  I then realized the manufacturer had moved the position of the sensor into a higher airflow and velocity position trying to squeak a little more power from their system.  I continued the test having to deal with the service engine lamp throughout the test period. The engine oil analysis gave a Silicon reading of eight (8 and along with the engine lamp problem did not give the manufacturer high mark but I felt if I discussed the problems with them maybe we could overcome them.  I placed four calls to the manufacturer and I am still waiting for a call back!  This surely eliminated this manufacturer.

The third manufacturer we tested was AFE (Advanced Flow Engineering).  We used their Magnum Force air intake system.  We operated the vehicle for 3000 miles and when the oil analysis came back it was promising with a Silicon reading of five (5).  While five was the best Silicon result we had, it was not good enough.  I called AFE and was pleasantly surprised when I discovered they were truly concerned.  I spoke with a Mr. Paul Hardley who suggested I try their Pro-Guard 7 media they were about to release.  He explained the new Pro-Guard 7 media was five layers of progressively finer mesh medical grade cotton gauze with micro fibers that attract smaller and smaller particles as air passes through.  Combined with the five layers of medical [gauze] media, there are two layers of non-woven synthetic polyester fabric with random porosity. The filter media is sandwiched between two layers of aluminum wire mesh.  He agreed to send two Pro-Guard 7 filters for a new test.  I installed the Pro-Guard 7 filter, changed the engine oil and operated the vehicle for three thousand miles.  The engine oil analysis was excellent with a Silicon reading of below three (3).  Finally we found an air intake system that gave us a higher flow rate and better filtration.  The AFE Magnum Force air intake system is a well designed system, easily installed and uses about 90% outside air.  The filter is cleanable and the oil used to coat the filter is patented because it is formulated not to affect the airflow sensor.

Another positive factor of the high flow system was the fuel economy increased about ½ MPG in mixed driving and 1 MPG during highway tests.  The filter media used by AFE will not collapse if it gets wet or subject to high boost pressures. They also offer pre-filters for most of their applications for very dusty or dirty operating conditions.  We carry a full line of AFE products with Pro-GUARD 7 media.  If you order an AFE system from another source, make sure it has a Pro-GUARD 7 media. 

A very important factor in this test was the manufacturer was willing to discuss problems with their products and help to overcome them.  My hat is off to Paul Hardley and all the people at AFE!"

Dan Montegari
President
Precision Diesel Services
74 Bell Street
West Babylon, New York
800-832-8844