According to my dashboard, my air drier will need to be replaced in another 60,000km time, obviously this is a few months away yet but how much is it likely to cost and what are the implications of not replacing it on schedule?
If it’s the normal spin on /off cartridge £12-15 replace mine every 12 months no probs!
It almost certainly means the air drier filter canister, they’re about 20quid (or 50 if you get it from Renault) and for someone with a suitable strap to get the old one off they’re literally a 5 minute job to swap. Bear in mind that the computer on the dash works this out based on mileage and (on my 05 plate Premium at least) it’s a manual reset job so the computer is only any use if you tell it when you put a new one on (which on my Premium you can do by pressing buttons on the dash, no fancy computer required).
I change mine every time I change all the other filters (oil, fuel, air, power steering) which I have done every 4th 6-weekly inspection (although I’m considering changing that to every 3rd one to be on the safe side). Some people do them less frequently but for the sake of 20quid it’s best to play safe.
If you don’t change it, eventually it stops being as effective, water gets into your air tanks, and air valves and other expensive things start to break.
Paul
it’s probably just the filter that’ll need changing. i used to change mine about every six months on an old daf, but the compressor was letting oil into the system so it got pretty gunked up, then the brakes would be pretty unresponsive, then sometimes over responsive.
6 months was probably a bit ott, but after a bad experience i got a bit paranoid.
Always change it on time - its left hand thread so you can’t put the wrong type on and ALWAYS change the air dryer silencer at the same time.When the filters off blow out the inside of the drier with an airline.
I’d do it every 80000kms or annually whichevers first.
Steve
neversweat1:
I’d do it every 80000kms or annually whichevers first.
At the moment I do mine every 4th inspection (near enough every 6 months) which works out at about 60000km, as I find it’s easiest to do it at the same time as I do the oil and all the other filters. If I start doing the oil+filters every 3rd inspection instead (i.e. 18 weeks, just over 4 months, about 40000km) then I’ll probably end up doing the drier filter that often too just so it doesn’t get forgotten.
Paul
repton:
neversweat1:
I’d do it every 80000kms or annually whichevers first.At the moment I do mine every 4th inspection (near enough every 6 months) which works out at about 60000km, as I find it’s easiest to do it at the same time as I do the oil and all the other filters. If I start doing the oil+filters every 3rd inspection instead (i.e. 18 weeks, just over 4 months, about 40000km) then I’ll probably end up doing the drier filter that often too just so it doesn’t get forgotten.
Paul
Dxi’s have a more complicated air dryer called an APM - it incorporates the 4 way valve and all the air warning functions without having switches for the air gauge and one for the low air etc etc
Steve
i,ve just had to replace the actual air drier itself, £340 
and the 4 way purge valve infront of it £177 and i forgot to mention the rear EBS unit at £851
quite an expensive MOT this year
btw i always find draining the air first makes it easier to crack the cartridge off as theres less resistence in it
chaversdad:
i,ve just had to replace the actual air drier itself, £340
Yes, I think that is what my dashboard is trying to tell me, rather than it just being a simple filter change. 
Oh well, at least I’ve got six months to save up for it!
Harry Monk:
Yes, I think that is what my dashboard is trying to tell me, rather than it just being a simple filter change.
I’m sure neversweat will know for sure but I am 99% sure it is talking about a filter change. The drier itself isn’t a service item and so it’s unlikely they built anything into the dashboard to tell you how worn it is…
Paul
got to agree with the above, the airdryer doesnt have a lifespan as such, mine needed changing as the seals inside went not because my dasboard told me to, had that been the case i would have just ignored it 
Btw it was nice to finally meet you the other day Paul after all those months of flashing 
{even if my head was up my arse a bit}
I think the dash will be telling you an air filter couldn’t see it being the whole unit.
chaversdad:
Btw it was nice to finally meet you the other day Paul after all those months of flashing
{even if my head was up my arse a bit}
Aye, we were bound to end up in the same place at the same time eventually. I seem to spend a lot of my life in Wooly’s yard (I’m there now actually) so it’s maybe no great surprise that it was there…
Paul
It will definitely just be the cartridge as mentioned. Might be worth investing in a decent HGV filter strap, I prefer the all metal ones with the screw handle. I’ve watched a lot of fitters put them on way too tight with a strap, they only need hand tightening really.
Air driers do seem to go themselves randomly on trucks once a few years old with 300k+ and will likely leave you stuck. If the right part popped up on ebay cheap, for example, I’d consider changing as a matter of course.
repton:
Harry Monk:
Yes, I think that is what my dashboard is trying to tell me, rather than it just being a simple filter change.I’m sure neversweat will know for sure but I am 99% sure it is talking about a filter change. The drier itself isn’t a service item and so it’s unlikely they built anything into the dashboard to tell you how worn it is…
Paul
Yes - its only telling you it wants the dryer filter changed As long as it was changed and not just reset of course.
Steve
Thanks, gents!