whats the best way to clean an air filter

[d-an02]

I'm new to all this, so help would be nice

 

[semotorsports]

Air filter clean-up

We wash our air filters and pre filters in dish detergent, then rinse them out let them dry and re-oil filter only,not the pre - filter.
Drop me a private message if you have any questions.

Ed
S&E Raceway
S&E Motorsports

 

[olds97_lss]

I saturate with WD-40, work the WD-40 through the filter really well and wring it out as best as you can. Then hit it with dish soap and work it through really well then rinse. They come out looking almost as white as new.

When using soap alone, they don't get as white.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

i used to use nitro to clean it, then go through it with the liquid dishwashing soap. always pretty.

 

[savage XL]

The best method I've found is to rinse the pre filter in nitro by squirting it from the inside to the outside, wring it out and set aside to dry a little. That's it, I do not use filter oil on this filter.
If the inner filter is REALLY dirty, I do the same as the pre filter, but then wash in detergent to get it 'sparkling' clean and re-oil with a cap full of filter oil.
I have a spare, clean and oiled filter set with me at all times. I've been known to hit the odd large puddle a bit too hard!

I always do the pre filter after a day of running, but only clean the inner filter if it gets really dirty, or after 5 or so tanks.
BTW, I've run 10 tanks through mine and saw no dirt while washing it, it was only run on grass at that time though!

 

[StevoRevo]

Why Is eveyr1 saying they dont oil the pre filter..? i thought you had to..?

Does it allow more air flow..?

 

[MotoGod]

I don't oil my pre-filter either. Probably because I came from a Motocross background....but I don't see the need to restrict airflow twice at my filter. The pre-filter will keep the larger debris out...and the inner filter will trap all the small stuff. Never had an issue this way.

 

[StevoRevo]

Will I notice the pwr difference...

Guess there is only 1 way to find out

 

[MotoGod]

I doubt you will notice a difference by oiling both versus oiling 1. Depends on how easily you pick up on changes while you are driving the car. If I was bashing...I would probably oil both filters just to air on the side of caution. For racing....I use an outer filter skin in addition to my pre-filter anyway. There ain't no dirt getting in there ;-)

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Personally, I'm a fan of using nitro fuel to clean my filters, seems to work the best, then I blow them out with compressed air.

 

[moe7404]

olds is just trying to make you do more work than needed. get methanol or lighter fluid, (naphtha), clean the foam, let it dry then put air filter oil on it, stick it back on the engine. the reason i like methanol is that the foam has oil in it, its a petroleum base to use a water base to clean it just doesn't make since. just my idea, iam NOT telling people to do it my way. its just my idea.

 

[shakey2]

I started using cleaner and oil from my gauze filter I run on my hot rod works good and works out cheaper for me than paying $5 for .5 oz

 

[olds97_lss]

olds is just trying to make you do more work than needed. get methanol or lighter fluid, (naphtha), clean the foam, let it dry then put air filter oil on it, stick it back on the engine. the reason i like methanol is that the foam has oil in it, its a petroleum base to use a water base to clean it just doesn't make since. just my idea, iam NOT telling people to do it my way. its just my idea.

Well, I try not to stink up the house any more than necessary, or I'd just use gas. When I worked in a mower shop many years ago, we would just use gas to clean them. Then again, gas may melt these filters.

I'll have to try lighter fluid next time.