Without an air filter in place, the engine can also vacuum dirt and debris at the same time, leading to serious damage to internal engine parts such as valves, pistons, and cylinder walls. This can result in excessive oil consumption, poor engine performance, and ultimately engine failure. The most notable problem with the lack of a cabin filter is air quality. Without a filter, pollutants from other vehicles on the road such as diesel fumes and burnt oil, as well as allergens, can enter the car's cabin and be inhaled by passengers.
In short, you should never drive without a car air filter. Dust, dirt, insects and other impurities from the air will enter the car's engine and cause problems: internal scratches at best and engine failures at worst. If the air cleaner is not serviced often enough, it will eventually become clogged to the point where air cannot pass through it. When the oven is running, the lack of air flow will trap heat in the system.
As the temperature inside the system continues to rise, the limit switch will turn the oven on and off to prevent it from overheating. This will temporarily mitigate the problem, but will not resolve the root of the problem. Without a new air filter, the oven will overheat every time it is turned on again. This is known as short cycling. Without a filter, the condensate drain will not be able to drain moisture from the air conditioning unit.
This will result in condensation buildup in the Freon tube. Condensation will begin to drip down the tray, causing water damage to the entire system. These impurities in the air must first be filtered before they can reach the interior of the combustion chamber. What's worse is that dust that adheres to a wet air filter can accumulate and form an impenetrable layer for incoming air. The answer is yes, you can drive with a wet air filter and it won't damage your engine, but it's still not recommended because a wet air filter will be more restrictive, which will reduce your car's performance. This is the most serious risk for anyone who does not change their cabin air filter because it can lead to an acute failure of a major vehicle safety system that can be very expensive to repair.
This filter installation can also have serious bypass leaks around the filter where the pleated section contacts the edges of the filter groove. Keep reading to learn more about how air filters work in your HVAC system and what can happen when they aren't changed on a regular basis. Evaporative coils, which help remove heat from your home's air to keep it cool, can freeze if they are overworked. If you're not sure where your air filter is located, call a professional and they'll be happy to show you. Many brands today sell cabin air filters with the idea that no one wants to spend time in a smelly car if they can help it. A dirty air filter restricts airflow, causing cold air to build up inside your car's air conditioner and lower its internal temperature.
Moisture takes up space in an air filter that could otherwise have been used by air to pass through it. While an air filter is designed to accommodate these tiny elements, buildup creates a nearly impenetrable barrier so that air cannot fully flow through it - which can ultimately cause multiple problems for your entire HVAC system. With a clogged air filter, air won't flow through your coils properly, causing them to stop working and leading to total system failure.