Air filters are designed to protect the engine from contaminants such as bugs, dust, dirt and other debris. Engines do not perform well when the filters are subjected to water and snow, as these conditions promote a hydro-lock of the filter media. When the hydro-lock condition occurs, the filter can be pulled from the air box or shredded and consumed by the turbocharger and engine (see Fig. 1). With the turbine shaft often exceeding 100K RPMs, imagine the damage to the compressor fins in the turbo when consuming fragments of the air filter or other debris. In every case, unfiltered air can flood the engine with harmful contaminants, promoting premature engine and component failure. When subjected to water and snow, a stalling symptom is most certain.
