Change 8 yr old air filter?

[k]

OK, dumb question.

Had a new air filter put in '96; car has driven less than 1000 miles since (dont ask!); should I change it?

Does the paper elemtn shrink or become glogged with age or soot/dust/pollen from environment?

Thanks!

[Cees Klumper]

I would not think so. You can take out the filter and tap it lightly (outwards) to shake out dust/debris. If you don't trust it a new one would not be too costly?

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Naj ✝︎]

What happens to paper sitting out in the weather?
I would hate some off it being sucked into my engine :oops: .
For what a new one costs, I would bin it. In fact I did just that when I replaced the oil filled air filter on my 280 with a paper element type. The s/h cannister did come with an element in it but...
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[TheEngineer]

IMHO, Inspection is the key: If it looks doubtful - replace it. It's a lot cheaper than the damage a not-functional air filter causes to the engine. I ran across a chap with a 280SE, where the filter had been changed by an authorized Mercedes Shop. Somehow it had been installed so that abrasive dust had ruined the cylinders. Mercedes got him a new engine. He said:"It was an uphill battle"

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops.    Ret. engr.