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Air Filter Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter DMPLATT
  • Start date Start date
D

DMPLATT

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I just checked my air box. Went on a 200 + mile ride yesterday with Scotty, and this morning there was a drop or 2 of oil under the breather hose. I thought, since I haven't looked in there yet, I'd take a look. Clean. Totally. However, the air filter smelled a little like gas, but no signs of oil.

Now, I'm not concerned, I just wonder, I've read numerous posts about soaking the filter in oil. How should I do this? It actually looks very clean, thought I would wash in soap and water, let it dry, then WHAT? Soak in oil and wring it out? Does it just need a small amount of oil? That's what my thinking is.

Thanks for the re-assurrance.

Dave
 
The filter is there to keep the chickens and the feathers out; the oil keeps the dirt out.

I used to race motocross and we would clean our air filters religiously in-between each race. I follow the same practice when cleaning my air filter on my GS:

- Take out the filter and wash it with gas or some type of solvent. This is to break down the old oil in the filter and clean it out. Wring it out as best as possible.
-Next, wash the filter in a tub of hot water and dish soap. This cleans out anything left in it.
- Rinse the filter with cold water and ring it out.
- Let the filter dry completely.
- Now, as far as oiling goes, yes you should soak it and wring it out. You can purchase air filter oil from your local bike shop. Air filter oil is specialy designed to catch dirt particles. It is sticky and if you get it on your hands you will see that it is stringy.
You can use regular motor oil if you are in a pinch. Do not use WD40 as it will dry up and you will have no oil to protect you from dirt particles.
 
Just an update on this. I guess I'm either a Moron, or using motor oil on the foam air filter might not be a good idea.
I covered the foam air filter in 10W 40 and wrung it the best I could. I really squeezed on this thing. After putting it in, I didn't really notice a change.
The next morning it started a little strangely. Usually, when I started it I put full choke, then when I hit the starter button I twisted the throttle slightly, it would fire right up. This time I had to hit it several times while twisting the throttle.

It wasn't that big of a deal. Tonight I've finally had time to pull it off again. With it off, it fires right up.

In Retrospec, I'm new to this bike and the air filter was dry and clean when I first looked at it. Don't ask why I had to mess with it. The oil thing sounded like a good idea. Now I think (FOR MY BIKE) it was the wrong thing to do. I've washed my filter in Gas and Dawn and once it dries, I'll re-post to let you know how it runs.

My thinking is that the oil prohibits enought air from going to the carbs and it's running too rich.
Also I might add that this filter looks to be hand cut around the bottom diameter, so maybe it's not the right filter for this bike. However, I also have the mesh screen going to the carbs, so I'm not concerned with too much dirt getting in. I'm going back to a dry filter and will post my findings. Thanks again for the help.
Maybe if someone's bike is running too rich, check out the air filter. I've had this happen with a lawn mower and had to run it without the air filter.


Dave
 
Dave,

THe factory service manual for my 78 GS750 states that the air filter must be periodically cleaned with soap and water and then air filter oil must be applied to do what Gammer stated exactly- keep the dirt out. You've got to use air filter oil though. Motor oil will all eventually run down to the bottom of the filter leaving only a small amount in the upper portion.

Another thing to consider is that even though WD40 is highly flammable, it doesn't do so hot in place of or mixed with gasoline! This is probably why your bike ran fine with no filter. But don't do that for long because one usually runs to lean without any filtration attached to the bike. Heating up cyclinders or melting spark plugs would suck :cry:

good luck-
jon
 
Yeah, I only ran it for a second or too. Just wanted to see.
This morning it cranked right up, like it did before I put the motor oil on. I'll pick up some air filter oil next time I got to the bike shop.
I've got the foam filter, and the mesh screen, so I'm not too concerned about getting dirt in.

Thanks for the info. BTW - I would never use WD 40 on a foam filter.

Dave
 
Dave-

Dyslexia setting in at 7:30 a.m. You wrote 10W40. My mind saw WD40. Oops :oops:

-Jon
 
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