Contents
1 General information
2 Specifications
3 Cylinder head assembly
4 Piston and connecting rod assemblies
5 Crankshaft assembly
6 Timing case and drive assembly
7 Cylinder block assembly
8 Engine timing
9 Aspiration system
10 Lubrication system
11 Fuel system
12 Cooling system
13 Flywheel and housing
14 Electrical equipment
15 Auxiliary equipment
16 Special tools
Perkins 400 series diesel engines Diesel 403C-11 403C-15 404C-22 404C-22T factory workshop and repair manual
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Goal: repair (inspect/clean/replace) the air filter housing on a Perkins 400-series (403C / 404C) engine — explained step‑by‑step for a beginner mechanic, with clear descriptions of every component, why it matters, how it works, and what can go wrong.
Brief theory (why this repair is needed)
- The air filter system is the engine’s “lungs” and nose: it supplies clean air for combustion and keeps abrasive dust out. Dirty or damaged filters/housings let dust into the engine, causing rapid wear of pistons, rings and cylinders, loss of power, higher fuel use and smoke. A clogged filter restricts air, reducing power and causing excessive fuel consumption and smoke.
- The filter assembly also helps remove large particles and water before air reaches the main filter element. The housing must seal perfectly so all intake air passes through the filter media, not around it.
Main components — what each is and what it does
- Snorkel / intake duct: the pipe that brings outside air to the filter. Often shaped to reduce ingestion of large debris and water. If cracked or loose, it can draw dirty air.
- Pre-cleaner / cyclone (if fitted): a centrifugal device or mesh that removes heavy dust, leaves and water before the main filter. Extends life of main element.
- Outer housing body (dust cup / bowl): the container that holds the filter elements. Collects heavy dust and debris and provides the sealing surface for the cover.
- Cover / lid: clamps to the housing body to seal the filter element inside. May use a wingnut, clamp band, or threaded fasteners.
- Primary filter element (main element): depth-type paper or synthetic media that removes fine dust. This is the replaceable element you change most often.
- Secondary / safety element: a finer backup element inside the main filter (or a separate element). If the primary fails or is bypassed, the safety element traps any remaining particles to protect the engine until repair.
- Sealing ring / gasket / O-ring: rubber or foam ring on the cover/housing that ensures all air passes through the filter element. A worn/missing seal is the most common leak point.
- Restriction indicator (vacuum gauge or pop-up indicator): shows when the filter is clogged and needs replacement. Can be mechanical (pop-up) or vacuum gauge.
- Drain / sediment bowl (if fitted): collects water and heavy dust removed from the air; some housings have a drain screw or petcock.
- Mounting bracket / clamps / studs: hold the housing to the engine or frame. Vibrations can loosen or crack mounts causing leaks.
- Inlet screen/grille: external mesh that blocks large debris and animals from entering the snorkel.
- Breather hoses / vacuum pipes (adjacent): may attach to the housing in some setups; ensure not to be damaged.
Tools and materials you’ll need
- Clean rags, shop vacuum or soft brush
- New primary filter element (OEM or equivalent) and safety element if required
- Screwdrivers, socket set or appropriate wrench for clamps/fasteners
- Clean compressed air (low pressure, <30 psi) for housing only — don’t blast the element
- Replacement gasket / O-ring if worn
- Disposable gloves, eye protection
- Small container for debris/catch, and replacement clamp or mounting hardware if needed
- Optional: replacement pre-cleaner, restriction indicator, or snorkel parts
Safety first
- Work with engine off, keys removed. Allow engine to cool.
- Avoid working with the engine running — high intake flow will blow debris into the engine.
- Don’t use high-pressure air on filter media — it can damage the paper and embed dust deeper into fibers.
- Dispose of old filters per local regs; contaminated filters can contain oil and hazardous dust.
Step-by-step repair (remove, inspect, replace, reassemble)
1. Preparation
- Park on level ground, shut engine down, remove key.
- Note position/orientation of snorkel and hoses so you can reinstall correctly. If possible take photos.
2. Remove cover and element
- Release clips/wingnut/clamp holding the cover. Loosen intake duct clamp if needed.
- Lift cover straight up. If it’s stuck, gently pry at the designated points to avoid bending it.
- Remove primary element by pulling straight up. Remove secondary/safety element if present.
- If there is a pre-cleaner, remove according to its clips.
3. Inspect housing interior and components
- Look for large debris, water, oil, rodent nests between cover and element and in the dust cup.
- Check the sealing surface on the housing and inside the cover for cracks, gouges or uneven surfaces.
- Inspect the rubber seal / O-ring on the cover and the gasket seating groove — if brittle, flattened or broken replace it.
- Check for dents, cracks or fractured mounting points on the housing and snorkel.
- Inspect the restriction indicator and its sensing port; make sure it’s not clogged or stuck.
4. Clean the housing
- Use a shop vacuum and clean rags to remove loose dust and debris inside the housing and dust cup.
- If necessary, use low-pressure compressed air directed from the clean side (inside the filter cavity) outward through the opening only — never blast the filter element. Clean the cover and snorkel external openings.
- Dry and wipe off any water or oil residue. Remove and replace water in drains.
5. Examine and replace filter elements
- Replace the primary element every service interval or when restriction indicator says so. Replace the safety element whenever the primary is damaged or at intervals specified in the manual.
- Do not try to clean or reuse disposable paper elements. Foam pre-cleaners can sometimes be washed and re-oiled per manufacturer instructions.
- When fitting the new element, ensure the element’s rubber sealing flange seats squarely in the housing. The open end faces the intake port per the element’s orientation markings.
6. Reassemble
- Fit the secondary (safety) element as required.
- Make sure the seal is in the groove; if there’s a separate seal on the element it must be seated evenly.
- Replace cover and fasten clips/clamps evenly; tighten snugly to compress the seal (do not over-torque and distort the housing).
- Reattach snorkel, clamps and any hoses. Secure mounting brackets and check for vibration isolation components (rubber bushings).
- Reset or check the restriction indicator per manufacturer procedure.
7. Test
- Start engine and listen for unusual intake noise or whistling — that can indicate a seal leak or loose duct.
- Inspect for air leaks by feeling around seals/housing while engine idles (don’t place hands near rotating/ hot parts). Use a rag held near seams to feel suction changes.
- If available, measure intake vacuum at the indicator port or compare with expected values. A persistent high restriction after a new filter usually indicates installation error or collapsed intake.
Common failure modes and how to recognize them
- Torn or missing gasket / poor sealing: suction noises, dirt tracked into the housing, accelerated engine wear. Visual check finds damaged seal.
- Cracked or broken housing or snorkel: visible cracks; may draw unfiltered air. Replace cracked parts — do not attempt to seal with tape.
- Clogged filter element: engine power loss, black smoke under load, increased fuel consumption, pop-up restriction indicator. Replace filter.
- Clogged pre-cleaner or sediment bowl: water or heavy dust in bowl, frequent main filter clogging.
- Punctured or damaged element (from rodents, tools, or sharp edges): contains visible holes, oil stains; replace immediately.
- Incorrect or loose installation: whistling sounds, sudden drop in power after filter change. Re-seat element and tighten clamps.
- Water ingress: puddles in dust bowl or heavy water stains — can lead to hydrostatic lock if large amounts of water enter the intake. Drain and prevent water entry (check snorkel orientation and inlet location).
- Missing safety element: if primary fails, engine unprotected leading to rapid wear. Always reinstall safety element.
Diagnostics — signs and likely causes
- Loss of power with heavy smoke and high fuel use: clogged filter or intake restriction, turbocharger ingestion of dirty air.
- Intermittent coughing or misfire: damaged or unseated element, vacuum leak downstream.
- Whistling or unusual suction noise: leaking seal or loose snorkel/clamp.
- Rapid filter clogging: dusty environment, faulty pre-cleaner, or intake near ground where dust is heavy.
Maintenance tips and best practices
- Replace primary element per manual interval or whenever the restriction indicator shows maintenance is required. In dusty service replace sooner.
- Always replace the safety element if the primary is damaged or very dirty.
- Keep the inlet snorkel clear and raised where practical to avoid water and debris.
- Don’t reuse disposable paper elements. Foam pre-cleaners can be serviced if allowed by the element type.
- Keep spare seals and at least one new filter in the tool box if working in remote locations.
- After off-road work, check the housing for mud and nests — rodents often nest in air intakes.
Quick checklist before finishing
- New element seated correctly and oriented properly.
- Gasket/O-ring correctly fitted and undamaged.
- Cover/clamps tightened evenly, no gaps.
- Snorkel and hoses securely clamped; no cracks.
- Restriction indicator working and reset if needed.
- No debris left in housing or around intake.
- Test-run engine and verify no leaks or unusual noises.
Why follow this procedure (one-sentence analogy)
- Think of it like changing the air filter on your own lungs: a clean, properly sealed filter prevents “dirt” from getting in and allows the engine to “breathe” freely — protecting internal parts and preserving performance.
That covers the components, the theory, step-by-step repair and what can go wrong on a Perkins 400-series 403C/404C air filter housing. rteeqp73