AIR FILTER CLOGGING EFFECTS ON THE MANIFOLD INTAKE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE OF FOUR STROKE SPARK IGNITION GASOLINE ENGINE

Abstract

The negative effects of dusty Nigerian roads irrespective of season on engineering devices and systems can not be overemphasized. This non-seasonal phenomenon and its implications on engineering devices and system need to be studied in order to understand the extent of the negative implications. The effects of distance coverage on manifold intake pressure and temperature of four stroke spark ignition gasoline engine has been studied extensively. The study was carried out using Minna - Suleja road in Niger State, Nigeria as case study and 2008 model Peugeot 406 as a test vehicle. Distances of 50 km, 150 km and 200 km were covered with three air filters and different studies were carried out which include literatures review, On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) and effects of filters blockage by dust in relation to engine performance. The results of the investigation estimated that an air filter clogging increases with distance plies on dusty tarred road. This increased clogging of air filters with distance cause significant decrease in manifold intake pressure and temperature while on the other hand; it causes more formations of Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon monoxide (CO), and reduces the formations of Carbon dioxide (CO ) and 2 Nitric oxide (NO) into the atmosphere. The study therefore recommends that air intake pipes should be incorporated with dust repel materials; filters should be cleaned or changed based on manifold intake pressure and temperature data and not by distance covered by vehicles.