Hi,

On that air filter you say was clogged up did you test it?
It’s hard to believe that it stopped all the air so suddenly?

I think you should have used a vacuum cleaner to see if it stops the air from coming into it.
Stuff the vacuum cleaners hose into the backside of the box or tape a short plastic bag around the filter edge itself and onto the vac’s hose. If it’s sucks the bag more than it should, well maybe?

With the filter in front of the hose the sound pitch will speed up if it stops the air flow.
The pitch changes or drops in tone as the motor loads up.
Moving more air because more work is being done in moving it.
Physics fact is … Amperage draw also goes up to indicate this.
Same happens when you plug the hose with your hand or a rag.
The motor sounds like it speeds up, unloading, the pitch goes to a higher one with no air.
Some think it’s pulling harder and doing more but not exactly.
A dirtier filter causes, a less in and less output in performances, period.

There are Lots of ways to check it for restriction.
Lots of people hold the filter up to the bright sunlight and look for an even brightness to come through.

If you want to be more technical, there is an adjustable spring loaded gadget that can be installed into an air filter box. They are used on an air compressors intakes.
Some let you set the spring tension to read green with a newer or different filter replacement brand.
As it gets more restrictive a sleeve or rod slides into view to show red.
I think Grainger or McMaster Carr sold them.

I first saw them on Ingersoll Rand screw compressors and figured It Helps to sell more filters too!
But … are easier on a good maintenance man’s vigilance's and you can still decide on what dirty can be if adjustable.

A manometer with tenths of an inch of water column (PSIG) numbers showing pressure differential from two lines.
These are lot more expensive instruments, considering when you can still just ignore the numbers. (:-).
What’s nice is You can watch the increases over time though.
A bread and pastry bakery’s air handler sure can plug up its air filters really fast!
Construction zones or a graveled farmers road did you go down the other day? Oh, that one!

I have a salvaged Magnahelic(R) that I shouldn’t have gotten at a flea market.
Art posted a definition of what a bargain is.
Something you don’t need at a price to cheap to walk away from.

Trouble is, I’m to darn lazy to add two ports on all my cars.
I found out it to be really sensitive as they have to be held steady and vertically.
It’s their normal calibration setting to be accurate and it’s made to be on a stationary panel or cabinet.

On a 240 it’s easier to loosen the AMM so the hose and cover moves back, so consequently, I thought it would be advantageous to use one and stop that hassle to just peek in.
Nah, I still just prep myself to change the filter, when it’s been long enough to be curious. (:)
My past M. O. was to get nearly new ones for $2 at the Junkyards.
Even that has dried up, along with some complete ignition systems setups for cheap. (:(
You can tell, I’m not too brand name crazy or stealer ship nuts either.

Good thing is, I haven’t been driving nearly as much as I use too, since Covid-19’s life style changes.
Now the on-line dilemma is doing the nibbling for my wife’s anxieties.
Our place has turned into a cardboard recycling center.

Yep, My cash money doesn’t go as far as it use too.
Not so much due to inflation as it gets to stay in my wallet longer. (:-)

Phil