The air filter is the most important filter on your compressor. The original air filter will save your compressors oil, oil separator, oil filters and all other moving parts.
The compressor air filters need to be cleaned and/or replaced regularly. Normally replacing the air intake filter is part the standard service routine. In very dusty / dirty environments it’s better to clean them once in a while (blow the dust off with compressed air).
An air compressor with dirty inlet filter(s) will reduce the output capacity. You will pay more money through your higher energy bill than the cost of a new filter.
