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How to clean the Oil/Foam air filter

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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A

Anonymous

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I would like to clean my oil-soaked-foam air filter on my 82 GS400 and the owners manual (and Chilton) mentions that we should use a non-flamable solvent, however it doesn't really mention what is recommended.

I know that we can buy a kit from K&N, but I'd much prefer to simply buy a bottle of 'non-flamable solvent'.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to which solvent (easily accessable) is most recommended?

Thanks!
Tom
 
I use the K&N spray for my K&N filters. It lasts a long time.
I think it feels, looks and smells about the same as "Fantastic" or other common household grease cutters. Even warm soapy water (dish soap)will probably clean oil soaked foam.
 
KEITH KRAUSE said:
I use the K&N spray for my K&N filters. It lasts a long time.
I think it feels, looks and smells about the same as "Fantastic" or other common household grease cutters. Even warm soapy water (dish soap)will probably clean oil soaked foam.
Click to expand...
It does. :D I have used a mild dish-washing soap for years on my oiled-foam filters and it works very well. Just make sure that you thoroughly rinse the foam filter in clean water afterwards, then sit it out to completely dry before re-oiling.

BB
 
Exactly my question yesterday; I went ahead without advice as below.

I cleaned my foam filter in paint thinner, then washed it repeatedly in warm soapy water. I rinsed repeatedly with clean water, dried it using my wife's hairdryer and reoiled it with filter oil (3 weight).

Reinstalled it works great.

Any feedback for my technique?
 
knelson said:
Exactly my question yesterday; I went ahead without advice as below.

I cleaned my foam filter in paint thinner, then washed it repeatedly in warm soapy water. I rinsed repeatedly with clean water, dried it using my wife's hairdryer and reoiled it with filter oil (3 weight).

Reinstalled it works great.

Any feedback for my technique?
Click to expand...
Well, since you asked. I don't think the paint thinner or the blow dryer is good for the foam, unless the blower is on "LOW". The thinner could shorten the life of the foam, so I would stay with the soapy water or mild cleaner only. :)
 
So what exactly is the non-flammable solvent recommended in the repair manuals? Soap is an emulsifier, not a solvent.
 
knelson said:
So what exactly is the non-flammable solvent recommended in the repair manuals? Soap is an emulsifier, not a solvent.
Click to expand...
I don't know. :? I do know those Chilton books are kind of vague on a lot of stuff. I would'nt own their books.
By the way, I bought a wet/dry "Shop Vac" today. I happened to notice the cleaning procedure for the foam filter. It says after washing, to rinse it from the INSIDE-OUT. I knew you were supposed to rinse K&N filters this way but I did'nt know it mattered on the foam filters. I wonder how many foam filter owners know this?
 
When I used to work at a small engine repair shop, we had a tank of stuff just known as 'solvent.' It was sort of like kerosene, but non-flammable. It's the same stuff you can get to put in a parts washer.. something like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...70&PHOTOS=on&productId=33401&categoryId=6829.


We used it to clean carbs (before using carb cleaner), blocks, air cleaners, heads, you name it. For foam air cleaners, we just squished it completely under the solvent, rubbed it some, wrung it out, then dried it. Drying consisted of wadding the cleaner tight in one hand, blowing compressed air through it between the thumb and forefinger, then let it expand and blow it dry some more. Oiled with 30w motor oil (not too much!) and re-installed.
 
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