Do you think this needed to be replaced?
 

It only has about 6-8k miles on it.

Na it's easily good for another 100k miles

yes

Mold, fire, oil or what??
Yes, btw..

Almost looks like oil, but it's just really thick soot.

I have been driving through some heavy highway construction all year and we have had very little rain. It's a dust storm for about 4 miles and in the beginning the traffic was horrible so I would sit in it for about 20 minutes a day and then on the way home too.

Normally I wouldn't think to check it after 8k miles but I though I should......glad I did too. I had a Napa Gold on the shelf so I threw it in.

Flip it over and use the otherside.

Can you see light through it?
if so, you got some time left...

Not sure, I didn't think to look but it does have a weird "wear" pattern though.

The filter media was originally a yellowish color, like you see on the sides. Now it is a like a light gray in the middle. Maybe at some point it got wet when I was pressure washing the front or something, I don't know.

Anytime I have replaced a filter it was always an even "wear".

blow it out with the air chuck good as new in looks :naughty:

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Oh ya that's like factory fresh, lololol. I'd recommend a fresh air filter every 6000 miles, at least a blow and go if you've travelled clean.
Some times the Peep pukes all over and fresh is a no brainer, definately a fresh filter monthly thru the winter.

Wow that's bad lol.

I thought they were good for 12-15k if you drive in normal conditions. That is what I was shocked to see it because 98% of my driving is on the road but I honestly didn't think that driving through construction zones would cause it to get dirty so quick. That is the only thing it could be I would think.

Wtf happened to that air filter?

I check mine every oil change. If its dirty I replace it. But now I have a spectre cowl intake with cleanable filter so now I'll just clean and reoil at every oil change.

Probably get a cleanable one for my other xj too...

It has to be just filtered dirt right? Because the back of it was clean, no oil or anything.