What is the best way to clean an airfilter?

[vbgagnon]

Is it even worth cleaning these things? It it is then what is the best way to clean them?

VB

 

[militarymaxx]

Two schools of thought on this one. Some folks buy extra and just replace them after each use. Some guys (like myself), clean them after each use and re-oil. I use Fantom Filter wash to clean it. I've heard of guys using everything from WD-40 to nitro fuel for cleaning them.

 

[sbb4us]

Yea I am on a kinda tight budget so I just use the left over fuel that I suck out of my tank at the endo of running but as was already said, some people just replace them.

 

[Waste Land]

Originally posted by vbgagnon
Is it even worth cleaning these things? It it is then what is the best way to clean them?

VB

I take mine off rinse it and then put dish deturgent(SP?) and squeeze and rub untill allt he dirt comes out and then I put 3-n-1 oil in a corner of a plastic bag and drop the air filter in and squeeze the outside of the bag and it seems to be pretty good. Some rinse with fuel bu tI dont like that cause it ate away some at my air filter.

Originally posted by militarymaxx
Two schools of thought on this one. Some folks buy extra and just replace them after each use. Some guys (like myself), clean them after each use and re-oil. I use Fantom Filter wash to clean it. I've heard of guys using everything from WD-40 to nitro fuel for cleaning them.

You must know some people with deep pokets to buy that many extras. I have a filter cover and get mine dirty after about 10 minutes.

 

[Domination]

i personally soak mine in hot water with DAWN dish detergant and ring it out a few times use a blow dryer to dry it out and then i use AE filter oil to oil it

 

[KillerWabbit]

Yes, it's worth cleaning if you care about your engine at all. Even if you don't care about it, clean it!

I've tried dish soap/water and it just doesn't work that good. I use WD40 and I think you should at least try it. It works realllly good. I just soak the filter with it and squeeze it out.. the dirt falls right out. I normally do that twice and the filter comes out almost as white as it was when brand new. Then I just kinda roll in some general filter oil.

 

[30%NitroBoy]

Originally posted by vbgagnon
Is it even worth cleaning these things? VB

Do you like replacing expensive Nitro engines on a regular basis? Of course you want to clean your air filter as much as possible as part of basic engine mantience just like you would on a 1:1 engine. Also use AfterRun oil and use it to lube your crank bearings from time to time. You wont to clean your filter often if your driving off road. You also want to use a proper filter oil and especially if your driving offroad.

Military - I can't c repacling the filters after they get dirty as a "school of thouht" as much as an utter waste of money. To each their own I guess.

I use dishsoap @ the house and when we're out romping I use Nitro fuel which works great.

 

[olds97_lss]

I've noticed that if using dishsoap, dawn works best. But you need to saturate the filter with the soap and let it sit so the soap can break down the oil. Then squeeze rinse it in a sink that's half full to get the majority of the soap and grime out. Then rinse under a faucet.

The wd-40 method works like a charm though. Way faster than soap and it will make the filter white again like it was new.

 

[militarymaxx]

Waste Land / 30%NitroBoy - I agree with both of you. I wash my filter and re-use it all the time. Have had the same motosaver since the beginning. But there are guys (read it in these forums), that toss them after one use. Now if I could find a way to re-use those pesky sip-ties. Hmmmm.........

 

[Maxx Trooper]

i take my air filter one it gets dirty, which it usually doesn't cuz of the dust/mud/water deflector on my motor saver. but i usually put some soap on the filter with a liitle water and give it a good massage. most of the time it comes out lookin like brand new. then i rinse it out.. squeeze out as much water i can with a paper towel then give it over night to try.. then lube it back up with air filter oil.

later

 

[Diver6127]

I use unused fuel to clean the filter. On a 2 stage filter, only clean the outter element. Once the inner element shows signs of dirt, just replace it. Oh, and don't forget to reoil the element after cleaning and when cleaning, squirt the cleaner from the bottomside so it pushes the dirt out instead of imbedding it further.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

I think McVick uses simple green with great success. I just bought a bottle to give that a shot.

Up until then, I have used dish soap and water. Pain in the ass, but it works.

 

[Rolex]

Originally posted by Domination
i personally soak mine in hot water with DAWN dish detergant and ring it out a few times use a blow dryer to dry it out and then i use AE filter oil to oil it

If you want to know which dishwashing liquid works best for cutting grease and dirt, wash your hands with it after working on your car. (1:1 car, black grease and road grime)
Ivory liquid is useless, Dawn is absolutely the best. It's Dawn that I use to clean my air filters, and it's effortless.
Now available in fresh herbal scent. Your filter will also SMELL great.

 

[bforum3]

I've used simple green, it seems to work well for me. and then regular soap and water to make sure everything is out of it.

 

[El Pirata]

Re: Re: What is the best way to clean an airfilter?

Originally posted by Waste Land
You must know some people with deep pokets to buy that many extras. I have a filter cover and get mine dirty after about 10 minutes.

Unless I get into some really wet, muddy, or dusty conditions I will generally used the same filter all day. I keep about a dozen pre oiled spares in my parts bin sealed in a ziplock bag.

Back to the question, I use plain soap and water to clean mine. after they are thoroughly dry I oil them then back in the bag with the others.

 

[nitromaniac]

I drop my filters in a glass of OXY-CLEAN, for about five minutes , then rinse them out with water.Not only does this work extremely well, it makes them pure white again so they look like brand new filters,, I love this stuff!