I don't like it but you better use Mahindra filters

[madmax12]

So I'd like to recap this experience. I bought a mahindra and when it came time to change the filters, I figured I'd search one of the more popular websites re: tractors (TBN) where I'd found a lot of mahindra owners talking about their struggles with locating a reasonably priced mahindra filter. The forum discussed non-OEM filters that are available and even discussed how the non-OEM filters don't fit exactly the same but some folks chimed in saying it worked. So I follow the advice from the forum and the folks at the parts store and bought a non-OEM filter and installed it. Then I have engine issues that seem to indicate a faulty filter as a root cause. So I post my experience online to help others avoid the frustration I'm experiencing and I get a bunch of folks arm chair quarterbacking telling me I shouldn't trust what I read from others which were posted on this forum. You're all right. I should only buy OEM parts and do exactly what the manual says. I guess I'm the only guy out there that believes that while the manufacturer stuff may be right, there are other ways to achieve the same goal. And I think I'm going to take the advice and stop listening to info I get on this forum. Thanks for the help everyone. Well technically it's not help; but I appreciate the input. And why only the rear cylinder had the issue...from what I understand this is the first cylinder that receives the air because it is a serial piping and not parallel so that is why it got all the crud. Not sure if that's 100% accurate but it seems to make sense. I'm planning to pick up the tractor and do the engine work myself. I would like to post what I find and how difficult/easy it is to do, but I'm really not looking to get into irrelevant arguments or being told I screwed it up. Because let's face it, we all screw up but the important thing is to share the experience so others avoid the same mistake...we don't share to be told what we did wrong...I can figure that out for myself.

I appreciate the heads up from your experience. I hope you continue to follow and post on TBN. Thanks.

 

[brain55]

A dusted engine is a dusted engine, I doubt any manufacturer would warranty that. I was able to get one warranted once when I was able to show that it was an intake gasket failure. If you still have the filter and can show that the gasket didn't seat and it wasn't an installation error you should have a chance with Napa or Wix. I have used hundreds of Napa air filters without a problem.

 

[Cpjlube]

I apologize if I came off a little harsh. From my experience anytime you work on your own equipment you need to be very observant. We all know that everything on the Internet, even on TBN, is not factual or always accurate. If it don't look right it probably isn't right.
My point was that if you used an aftermarket filter, installed it properly and it failed, the responsibility lays with the filter manufacturer. Of course Mahindra is out. The best way to prove the filter was to blame is to have the dealer state that. If a REAL shop documents a problem and is willing to put in writing that a properly installed filter failed. That document is what I would take to NAPA. If the filter is listed as a application for your machine, the dealer is your friend. They can help you prove your case.

Chuck

 

[crbonline]

Visited my Mahindra dealer after they had a chance to diagnose...rings are shot on cylinder 3 but they hadn't pulled apart yet to see how bad the cylinder walls are. I took it home with me and will do it myself; I'm pretty much going to rebuild. So the interesting thing is they said it was definitely dirt getting through the filter...and while there wasn't a lot of dust in the air duct, there was some...I'm still not 100% convinced. So I asked to buy a Manindra filter so I can put it in when after I rebuilt the engine and they pulled out the same WIX filter that I had in it. I asked "what gives" because there is a belief that a non-OEM filter helped cause the issue and he responded by stating they only use WIX period. So I have no idea what the deal is but I'm going to purchase a Mahindra filter and install a secondary air filter housing to get twice the filtering and a back up if one fails.

Also I'm planning to split it to secure the engine mounting bolts. I guess the 2615's have an issue where the mounting bolts on the engine side of the mounting plate start to back out and then hit the clutch flywheel...and if not corrected immediately, well let's just say you better break out the wallet...upwards of 2-3k easy if things get destroyed. There were 2 on his shop floor with that issue...both disintegrated. The dealer said split it and remove and reinstall the bolts with green locktite. I'm not looking forward to all this work but I'm looking forward to getting my tractor running again. My work is piling up.

Hoping this info is helpful to someone.

 

[madmax12]

Visited my Mahindra dealer after they had a chance to diagnose...rings are shot on cylinder 3 but they hadn't pulled apart yet to see how bad the cylinder walls are. I took it home with me and will do it myself; I'm pretty much going to rebuild. So the interesting thing is they said it was definitely dirt getting through the filter...and while there wasn't a lot of dust in the air duct, there was some...I'm still not 100% convinced. So I asked to buy a Manindra filter so I can put it in when after I rebuilt the engine and they pulled out the same WIX filter that I had in it. I asked "what gives" because there is a belief that a non-OEM filter helped cause the issue and he responded by stating they only use WIX period. So I have no idea what the deal is but I'm going to purchase a Mahindra filter and install a secondary air filter housing to get twice the filtering and a back up if one fails.

Also I'm planning to split it to secure the engine mounting bolts. I guess the 2615's have an issue where the mounting bolts on the engine side of the mounting plate start to back out and then hit the clutch flywheel...and if not corrected immediately, well let's just say you better break out the wallet...upwards of 2-3k easy if things get destroyed. There were 2 on his shop floor with that issue...both disintegrated. The dealer said split it and remove and reinstall the bolts with green locktite. I'm not looking forward to all this work but I'm looking forward to getting my tractor running again. My work is piling up.

Hoping this info is helpful to someone.

That's a bummer. Hope u get it fixed well and soon. Thx for update.

 

[Cpjlube]

Good advice on the bolts. If and when I buy another tractor im looking hard at Mahindra.

Chuck

 

[Texan4Life]

wow.. thx for the update.

I still cant imagine how dust got through. that would drive me nuts. Maybe on the tear down you will have an "a HA!" moment.

 

[MrChris]

I take it you do not have an inner air filter. On my 3215 there is an inner and outer filter in the one housing.

 

[2516hst]

I just replaced all my filters today, except the fuel cause I can't figure out where the fuel shut off is. Anyhow, I got the oil and fuel filter at NAPA because they had a cross reference for it but they did not have a cross reference number for the air and hydraulic filters. They had the Mahindra parts in the book but no NAPA equivalent.

I picked up my Mahindra air filter at a dealer and paid $49.20. I picked up oil at NAPA and come to find out the same identical oil at the Mahindra dealer was $2 cheaper for a 1 gallon jug. I guess our dealer here isn't as bad with the price hikes.

 

[buck12]

I don't trust the Wix cross reference any more. When I changed the transmission fluid on my 2615 I bought the Wix filter but when i pulled off the original filter the Wix filter was shorter (if my memory is correct). I took it back and went to the dealer. I figure what's a few bucks for a tractor that I plan to keep. I have always run factory parts and filters on my vehicles and after the Wix incident I will do the same on my tractor.

 

[DavesTractor]

It certainy isn't Mahindras job to make sure all aftermarket filters are adequate, in fact that is unreasonable. And even if I could grant that it is reasonable, and I won't, you used a filter that even the aftermarket did not specify for a Mahindra. So to make this Mahindra's fault, they need to be responsible for you buying an aftermarket filter for which not even the aftermarket supplier suggested the application. You just can't get there from here.

That tractor is built in Japan by Mitsubishi and I can assure you the OEM filters are very good. And while expensive, so are most filters for tractors.

It is irriitating that tractor filters are so expensive, and so I can appreciate the concept of getting something else that is equivalent for less money. But the aftermarket isn't strong for tractor filters until there is adequate volume. Why would Wix or Napa or Baldwin do all the testing just to sell a relative handful of filters a year? Remember that for every 1 tractor sold in the USA, there are about 80 cars sold. So the best aftermarkect coverage for filters is going to be the most common models with the most common filters.

As to why the #3 cylinder is the first to go, it is because the intake air sweeps into that area first allowing most of the dirt to go into that cylinder, although the center cylinder will have damage also, and to a lesser extent the front cylinder.

I also search the internet for nuggets of wisdom, and can totally understand. What you did was reasonable, but you probably did not realize the high consequence of a fllter being wrong or failing. You saved a few bucks on a filter, but it sounds like it cost you an engine. But your post has a lot of value in warning others to make certain they get the proper filters.

I'm sorry for the problem and understand the frustration, but I think directing your frustration at Mahindra doesn't make much sense.

 

[mrpoppy58]

So I checked these forums to try and find replacement filters for my 2615 because Mahindra prices are freakin ridiculous. I mean $68 for an air filter...that's getting bent over when the napa equivalent is a 1/3 the cost. Well I went the cheaper route and am now paying over $1000 to get my engine repaired. The Napa filter didn't look exactly the same but folks on this forums said it'd work...WRONG. There is a dust trail down my intake to my rear cylinder which is now fried...new piston/rings, hone the cylinder, etc. All because Mahindra specifically makes filters so only theirs works with the tractor and then bends you over the table when you go to buy one. Thanks Mahindra...I guess the chinese manufacturing method has caught on in India. Sell it cheap and then screw people on the parts to fix it when it breaks. Besides this BS, I really like the 2615.

Give Newenglandtractor.com a call. They have been very good to Me. 1-866-393-0642.

 

[idaho2]

For the new 5530 owners be sure you get the correct filter if you have a Turbo. Had a filter delivered from my dealer, but it didn't match what was on my 5530 turbo. Called him and come to find out that the filter was for the non turbo engine. Brought back the wrong one and bought 2 correct filters.

idaho2

 

[kco]

Not sure why you would need to change an air filter much. I knock the dust out of mine every 100hrs or so. 1050 hrs and still in fine shape.
larry

I wonder about manufacturer's air filter maintenance recommendations too. My DK35 calls for cleaning the filter every 100 hrs. That makes sense but is even over-kill for my situation with very little dust.

But more puzzling is calling for it to be changed EVERY YEAR. What if someone puts on only 30 hours per year? I got a new filter for my 250 hr service which occured around 10 months. It was obvious there was no need to change it so it is still in the box with the machine at 329 hrs.

Why would there be a 1year limit on an air filter? Surely there is room for common sense.

 

[buck12]

I wonder about manufacturer's air filter maintenance recommendations too. My DK35 calls for cleaning the filter every 100 hrs. That makes sense but is even over-kill for my situation with very little dust.

But more puzzling is calling for it to be changed EVERY YEAR. What if someone puts on only 30 hours per year? I got a new filter for my 250 hr service which occured around 10 months. It was obvious there was no need to change it so it is still in the box with the machine at 329 hrs.

Why would there be a 1year limit on an air filter? Surely there is room for common sense.

My manual states something along the lines of change the air filter when a lack of power is noticed.

 

[thatguy]

Im confused.. Why/how could the dealership/mfg deny the warranty when the 'correct' filter was used? Even if the MFG said no warranty, could WIX (since it was their filter) be held responsible?

Lets assume the dealership sold the Wix filter to the OP and this happened - could/should the dealership pay for repairs?




Brian

 

[WilliamBos]

I agree, think the dealer that sold him the wix filter should foot the bill, especially if te OEM filters are not made by wix.

Im confused.. Why/how could the dealership/mfg deny the warranty when the 'correct' filter was used? Even if the MFG said no warranty, could WIX (since it was their filter) be held responsible?

Lets assume the dealership sold the Wix filter to the OP and this happened - could/should the dealership pay for repairs?




Brian

 

[DavesTractor]

I wonder about manufacturer's air filter maintenance recommendations too. My DK35 calls for cleaning the filter every 100 hrs. That makes sense but is even over-kill for my situation with very little dust.

But more puzzling is calling for it to be changed EVERY YEAR. What if someone puts on only 30 hours per year? I got a new filter for my 250 hr service which occured around 10 months. It was obvious there was no need to change it so it is still in the box with the machine at 329 hrs.

Why would there be a 1year limit on an air filter? Surely there is room for common sense.

Conditions vary so much. If you were working the soil in dry dusty conditions you would be cleaning your filter daily. Or maybe twice daily. In areas with year round rain, you have about zero dust. We envy you! I'll agree common sense is needed.

 

[DavesTractor]

This are several scenarios that we could envision. If the tractor owner went to his Mahindra dealer and the dealer sold him an aftermarket filter that was wrong then the dealer needs to consider if his error caused the damage. But that would not be a Mahindra warranty issue. And that is partly why we do not offer aftermarket filters. We might save a customer $10 and then we can be the bad guy quickly.

If the customer went to an auto parts store and bought a Wix because he thought, from this forum, he could save a buck and the filter was wrong for the application, there is no help unless y'all want to chip in. If Wix actually specifies the filter for the application and it was a faulty filter, he can turn to Wix. One thing for sure is that the engine failed due to dust and using an aftermarket filter very much complicates things.

Excuse typos please, doing this from my phone.

 

[bobo]

TRY E-BAY RUBICON TRACTORS FROM TEXAS.. THEY ARE WHERE THEY DELIVER THE MANINDRA TRACTORS INTO THE U.S. I BOUGHT THE 6 FILTERS FOR $89 AND SHIPPING.. ALL CAME IN SEALED MAHINDRA BOXES..

LOOK TO BE FACTORY SAME AS I REMOVED ...

BO..