How NOT to clean a Uni filter - need a laugh?

[wtdash]

So I nominate myself for DA of the day award.

The air box had a Unifilter sticker on it and so I figured I may have a filter I could clean.....

I pulled the air filter out of my '85 GS 550 E to check it, and sure enought it was a foam vs. paper filter (had the bike for just about a month).

So, I thought I'd use my K&N filter cleaner solution to clean it up.

I sprayed the filter, and let it set. 10-15 mins later ran water (I did not spray w/pressure) from the inside out and the foam disintegrated in my hands!

Apparently the Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate in the cleaner was a 'bit' strong for the foam.???

Here's the result:


So, now I'm stuck ordering a new one, as the local dealer is out of stock, and wants $35 for the OEM part!

Live and learn (slowly).

Thanks,
Td

[Dave8338]

HMMMM...looks clean to me!

[Calvin Blackmore]

So I nominate myself for DA of the day award.

The air box had a Unifilter sticker on it and so I figured I may have a filter I could clean.....

I pulled the air filter out of my '85 GS 550 E to check it, and sure enought it was a foam vs. paper filter (had the bike for just about a month).

So, I thought I'd use my K&N filter cleaner solution to clean it up.

I sprayed the filter, and let it set. 10-15 mins later ran water (I did not spray w/pressure) from the inside out and the foam disintegrated in my hands!

Apparently the Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate in the cleaner was a 'bit' strong for the foam.???

Here's the result:


So, now I'm stuck ordering a new one, as the local dealer is out of stock, and wants $35 for the OEM part!

Live and learn (slowly).

Thanks,
Td

get the oem part unless you have a pipe an non oem jetting
i have used two filters in 60 000 kms
you can readily use a compressor to blow most of the crap outta the oem part

[Steve]

Sorry about your luck, but that is another reason that I don't apply stickers and I don't trust stickers applied by previous owners.

.

[hampshirehog]

Hmmmm - should breathe pretty well now, just might catch a cold or too sooner.

[Nessism]

You sure it was the spray cleaner that caused the filter to crumble? Foam filters deteoriate with time, I've seen lots of them go to pieces as soon as you touch them.

[Calvin Blackmore]

You sure it was the spray cleaner that caused the filter to crumble? Foam filters deteoriate with time, I've seen lots of them go to pieces as soon as you touched them.

hmm so he can just order a new uni filter replacement foam I would imagine

was the bike workign great with a foam filter?
if so it must have had jetting work done

[wtdash]

You sure it was the spray cleaner that caused the filter to crumble? Foam filters deteoriate with time, I've seen lots of them go to pieces as soon as you touched them.

That thought did cross my mine, but I have NO history on the bike's maintenance...other than it's super clean...so don't know the age of the filter.

[wtdash]

hmm so he can just order a new uni filter replacement foam I would imagine

was the bike workign great with a foam filter?
if so it must have had jetting work done

I don't know about 'rejet'. It had the D8EA plugs installed, which I replaced w/the D9EAs...it's also a Cali model.

Not to hijack my own thread, but the only drivability issue is it's very cold-blooded and overly sensitive to choke adjustments, so thought I'd replace the filter, intake O-rings, and carb boots (aka 'tube, outlet' - according to Bikebandit's site).

[p_s]

I know you are tempted to get the EMGO filter because it's cheaper, but don't. It'll kill your top-end.

[Nessism]

I don't know about 'rejet'. It had the D8EA plugs installed, which I replaced w/the D9EAs...it's also a Cali model.

Not to hijack my own thread, but the only drivability issue is it's very cold-blooded and overly sensitive to choke adjustments, so thought I'd replace the filter, intake O-rings, and carb boots (aka 'tube, outlet' - according to Bikebandit's site).

Shim the carb needles as well, it helps greatly on these overly lean carbs.

[twiggy2cents]

but if your bike is like mine it doesnt matter because it runs like crap anyway


(dont get emgo)

[Clone]

Dishsoap that is all you ever use to clean a Uni, then reoil it with foam filter oil.
They last a long time as long as you don't clean them with something that will dissolve them

[chef1366]

The K&N filter cleaner did not do that. The filter was already old. The K&N cleaner is actually quite gentle.

[wtdash]

Shim the carb needles as well, it helps greatly on these overly lean carbs.

Shim?...new one me....'course I don't get out much.

Google brought up THIS and THIS for How To's...just need a super small washer? Or should I buy a 'shim kit'?

The fact that it's a CA model means it's probably running xtra lean, too, I'd bet.