Sand in Air Intake - Clean Side of the Air Filter

[Abhishek Chikara]

Hi, I recently got my car intake bellow (post the clean side of the engine air filter and leading to the intake manifold) opened at the workshop and found decent trances of sand. Upon physically touching it was like a fine past. Some pictures are attached. I understand that some sand will pass regardless of what I use, but still just wanted to see if anyone’s got any advice/thoughts.

As a background – this is after 1 year of off-roading only with Carnity; I clean the filter after every drive + change it every 2ish months + have installed a snorkel for safety + basis physical inspection there appears to be no leak/punture in the parts.

Thanks very much in advance.

[Marek]

you should see mine... 

basically that's one good reason to have a snorkel (contrary to the popular opinion that it is used for water wading). Sand will always be there. And at the bottom of your oil pan too, which shows that the fine sand actually gets into the engine causing slow but visible damage to bearings. The only way to reduce that is to remember to change your air filter (cleaning alone is also good, but that does not mean you can keep the air filter for 10kkm - not in these conditions!), clean your intake after heavy drives and don't follow regular 15kkm oil change, keep it as short as you can: 6-7kkm for those who run extreme drives is a must. And don't even think about any sport or cone filters... 

Edited August 11, 2025 by Marek

[Abhishek Chikara]

Thank you @Marek for the advice. 

I am following all of the things you mentioned - clean filter post each drive + change it every 5k kms (replace it with a new one) along with engine oil/oil filter. 

However, the picture that you shared is on the dirty side of the filter and while I have sand there too, the pictures I clicked were on the clean side and towards the throttle body. I am guessing some sand will pass through regardless and will leave a coat in a year of usage will weekly driving correct?

Thanks:)

[Marek]

trust me... it was there. And it looks very similar after every intense drive (yet not carnity ones ). The amount of sand on the "dirty" side tells the story. With filter packed so much, the air is trying to get in any other way - around the filter, over the seals... This photo is just to show the scale of the problem.  

[Gaurav]

Sand in air filter neck near throttle body, the main reason is Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) pipe, either clogged or worn out. Clean air filter neck + throttle body while changing PCV valve and breather pipe that goes into air filter neck.

Also note, in some cars (like mine) there is an additional soft rubber sleeve over the pipe to prevent wetness and attract more sand seeping from that area.

[Abhishek Chikara]

Aah ok.. Understood..  Thanks Marek!

23 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

Sand in air filter neck near throttle body, the main reason is Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) pipe, either clogged or worn out. Clean air filter neck + throttle body while changing PCV valve and breather pipe that goes into air filter neck.

Also note, in some cars (like mine) there is an additional soft rubber sleeve over the pipe to prevent wetness and attract more sand seeping from that area.

Thanks Gaurav. I had no idea about this so thanks very much for letting me know. I will read up on this and get it checked this weekend.

[ChrisW]

The PCV is an interesting one - the connector on the Jeep gives a very firm and positive lock, but the female end of the connector is wide and does seem to gather sand.

 

I was doing some work on my Jeep over the weekend and had it open - and was surprised to find oily sand there and a small amount on the face of the throttle butterfly. 

[Abhishek Chikara]

As a follow up, I got my engine oil tested post current service. This is after 5k kms and 55k kms of overall running.
Seems like Aluminum and Iron levels are off the charts - almost 2x what they should’ve been at 28.5 And 36 ppm respectively. 

I am going to replace fhe PCV valve this weekend for good orders sake but is such a high number expected (my current source is ChatGPT and online forums). 

Any thoughts please. 
 

Thanks in advance.