about your vehicle's filters...

Timezone LaFontaine · Post by **Timezone LaFontaine** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:17 pm

So for my first three years, I rode in with a bunch of other people who'd been going for much longer than me. This year I want to go by myself and just enjoy setting up my own little camp (mainly so I can get there a little earlier and leave at my own pace). I'll be going in my '97 Ranger pickup truck. I am just wondering what filters to seal up before and/or replace afterwards? And it's my understanding that it's bad to run the AC while on the playa, yeah? Thanks for any advice.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:03 pm

I usually change my air filter once a year when I do an oil change directly after burning man. As a rule I never open any opening to the engine on playa. No looking at air filter. No checking oil and things like that. If there was a breakdown then of course I would do what I need to to fix it. Some people reportedly stop at the gravel entrance to the playa and put a different filter in for the time spent on playa. I personally don't think this is necessary. I checked my box truck air filter after the event and could not find indications of playa dust on the filter. My ranger has been to the playa 4 times and is none the worse for wear besides the minimal corrosion that playa dust induces.
I would definitely not run the heater or AC while on the playa if at all possible.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:15 pm

More then likely your air filter will need replacing. You might purchase one prior to going and change it in Gerlach when you depart. Probably the cabin filter, (if the truck is equiped with one, my 95 ford 1/2 ton does'nt have one) and posibly an oil change. I've run my truck for like 10 minutes per hour during whiteouts to have the AC and have'nt had problems. I did'nt like doing it though. The cabin filter (as I call it) filters outside air being circulated to the inside only if the AC or heater is on. On my 03 Jetta its accesible with the hood up and is located on the right side in the cowl under the windshield. Every vehicle that has one is usually different based on make, model etc. Wish you the best.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:36 pm

I think it is worth covering the intake vents for the ventilation, usually on the cowl.
Pantyhose or something else may make a useful prefilter to keep dust out of the air filter.
I haven't tried it out there.

skibear · Post by **skibear** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:03 pm

Definately tape over the intake vents for the ventilation, usually on the cowl.
Use a nongummy tape or you will regret it- NO DUCT TAPE !! Or block
closed by other means.

These holes drop vertically on many vehicles and can trap
swiling playa dust even if the fan is off.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:41 pm

Here is my experience. You can open your hood, doors, everything, air the car out, change your spark plugs (I said that instead of change the oil cause of moop). when the wind is not blowing. Contrary to other peoples experiences I have had entire days with no wind on playa. As indicated you want to do your maintence after the burn to clean the dust out. My air filter is not a replacement, I just clean it per instructions. Now I can tell you how to fuck up your truck and get it loaded with dust and dirt.

Go drive 100 miles an hour up the playa until you have a GIANT cloud of dust following you... then slam on them brakes. I mean you wanna stop really fast and let all that dirt and dust just get into everything. Oh, I almost forgot, roll down them windows first. As soon as you stop, open the doors and get out. It's almost like a BM wind storm. Monday last year for instance.

Ok, so now the truck is running really rough from all the dirt in the carb, nows the time to really fuck it up.. Get that can of Carb cleaner and wash all that stuff into your jets. ... no more vroommm.... no more vrooolommm Experience can be a tough teacher.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:04 pm

yeah.. let me tell you a little story about driving a 1984 vw camper van onto the playa.. The engine is open and in the rear of the vehicle, so all the stirred up dust goes right in.. I have to take it to the shop for a total cleaning, oil change, & air filter, every year.. AND the front vents are designed as the ONLY cooling and stay open.. I use a saddle blanket across my dash to keep the dust down as best I can.. but I pretty much get playa faced every time I drive. LOVE that !!

putting a sheet over your dash in not a bad idea for whatever you drive to try and keep the dust from your " tiny places"

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:18 pm

If you use a K&N or other "performance" filter replace it with a cheapo paper one. The "performance" filters allow more airflow and more particles in to get that increase in HP. Aside from that you could add some filter paper on yer intake if yer paranoid.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:43 pm

The main rule is to set your interior fan to recirculate instead of fresh as soon as you leave the main road and venture onto the playa. Keep your windows closed as much as possible. Do not switch it back until you get back onto the road after the event. You can use your fan and A/C when needed (not to excess) as long it's not picking up too much dust from the outside.

Change the air filter and do the regular oil change stuff after you get home. Wash the exterior including undercarriage real good and you won't have much to worry about as far as permanent damage is concerned.

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:10 pm

Ok, as others have said, the air filters are generally the key.

And just to set the stage, each year I drive a Tahoe out there, this past year I was towing an RV trailer with it. This is NOT a beater truck, but is my wife's prized possession that must be taken care of.

So...

I pre-purchase a brand new air filter and have it along with a sheet on the front passenger seat.

Investigate your air conditioner, some work different ways when the car is started. For instance, some will reset their recirculation setting when the car is restarted! For ours, I needed to turn OFF the A/C option, and crank the temperature setting up to its maximum, then set the recirculate button. I tested over andover with restarts and no air upon start.

On the highway approaching the turnoff, I generally have the A/C as low as it can go...try to get it refrigerator level if arriving in daylight. At the turnoff I do the "A/C shutdown" as above.

I try to have everything in the vehicle boxed or binned up. I do not open the door until wind is down and/or I'm prepared to no go back into the vehicle. Generally I drape old sheets around sections of the dash/seats, etc but as a general rule I get out to site, gather up my shit and depart the vehicle. I go to rear and unload all boxes with the opening downwind, then seal the truck for the week.

When leaving, I pull over in Gerlach and change the oil filter. In Reno, I generally top off at a gas station that has a drive through car wash and run through that without the dryer option twice. I then hop on the freeway.

When I arrive home, I have oil change done, and pony up the cash (usually around $200) for a full, custom detail to the truck. Yes, this sounds like a lot, but when I give the truck back to her its virtually impossible to tell it's been off-road, let alone to the playa.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:12 pm

I don't think any newer cars do full recirculation.
Many have way more fixed ventilation than you want, even off playa.
Sometime people modify this to enhance cooling.

Digital-Dragonfly · Post by **Digital-Dragonfly** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:37 pm

I rent a cargo van each year... I shut off the A/C before I enter the playa ... carefully timed to match my early arrival (no or little line).

I don't open the van in any wind/dust unless in fear of dying.

When I depart, I don't turn on the A/C until well past Empire.

I pay for a complete detail of the van when I return to the default world. I have not had no problems re-renting from my source.

works for me...

YMMV

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:05 pm

gyre wrote:I don't think any newer cars do full recirculation.
Many have way more fixed ventilation than you want, even off playa.
Sometime people modify this to enhance cooling.

Not full, no, but close enough for minimal use. I had little dust in my vents last year in my 2005 xB after about 5 BM's worth of playa driving in support of a long build. Considering the tremendous amount of dust that was everywhere else in the car I consider that a reasonable indicator.

One thing that may have helped - my car didn't come with a cabin air filter when new, but it had a place to put one. I bought a big home furnace air filter and cut it into sections the size of the car filter. I went through a few of those over the course of the event. You might check your truck to see if you have a place to put a filter on your truck.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:06 am

at this point in time, my car has a defunct a/c. its also a shade of purple that seems to enjoy sunlight. at the cars current value, i doubt the a/c will be replaced this year (or ever), and was wondering:

besides having the windows open (bad idea on the playa), are there any other effective methods of cooling a car?

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:16 am

klondike_bar wrote:besides having the windows open (bad idea on the playa), are there any other effective methods of cooling a car?

Dry Ice?

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:27 am

Try to park it in the shade.

JK

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:36 pm

Evaporative.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:28 am

jkisha wrote:Try to park it in the shade.

JK

great idea. mind if i park in your tent?

RedheadBarbie · Post by **RedheadBarbie** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:40 am

[quote="klondike_bar"]besides having the windows open (bad idea on the playa), are there any other effective methods of cooling a car?[/quote]

A really really big ice helmet!

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:40 am

klondike_bar wrote:
jkisha wrote:Try to park it in the shade.

JK
great idea. mind if i park in your tent?

I knew that would garner a wise-ass remark from somebody!

But that is actually an option. If you are camping next to someone that brought a big UHaul, try to park your car on the shady side.

We park our trucks to block the morning sun and cut down on some of the wind for the shade structure and I've seen lots of people park their cars next to trucks, presumably for the same purpose.

JK

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:46 pm

my concern is not really once im set up on the playa, rather the driving around nevada in a dark purple car in the sunlight. especially if dust forces me to keep windows rolled up.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:05 am

You don't hit much dust until you leave the road.