anyone ever clean an air filter with gas?

L

Lonewolf

Member

May 30, 2002

494

0

• Oct 24, 2004

• #1

i know you really should not clean an air filter with gas becaue on how flamible it is but someone gave a me a spare twin-air filter that has only been used one time. the person used maxima filter oil on it but i use no-toil, i tried using various cleaners and degreasers on it to get the old filter oil out but it still felt gummy so i used gas and it actually worked. i remember reading on another board that gas can cause the pores in a foam air filter to expand by 20%, do you guys agree with this, the filter looks fine but im not sure if i should take the chance and use it or not, i dont want to allow dust to get into my engine and ruin my valves. what do you guys think?

 

CaptainObvious

Formally known as RV6Junkie

Damn Yankees

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Jan 8, 2000

3,331

1

• Oct 24, 2004

• #2

The filter is made to withstand gas. When it is dryed, you should be good to go with the No-Toil filter oil.

 

oldguy

Always Broken

Dec 26, 1999

9,411

0

• Oct 24, 2004

• #3

rv6junkie said:

The filter is made to withstand gas.

Click to expand...

I just wouldn't make a habit of using it as eventually it could dissolve the glues holding the filter together.

 

D

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member

May 3, 2000

5,348

3

• Oct 24, 2004

• #4

I used gas on filters for many many years and never had a problem with the filters. Switched to No-Toil, though and am very happy with that.

IMO, the big problem with using gas is it is toxic and will absorb through your skin. The fumes are not so good for you either. Plus the low flashpoint.

 

R

RACINRAY

Member

Feb 18, 2004

100

0

• Oct 24, 2004

• #5

with my filters i first wash it with kerosene to get the oil out then i use simple green to get the rest of the dirt out. my filters always come out looking new with a fresh scent . :cool:

 

L

Lonewolf

Member

May 30, 2002

494

0

• Oct 24, 2004

• Thread starter
• #6

thanks for responding guys. i used kerosene first and then purple power cleaner/degreaser immediatly after the kerosene and it felt oily and gummy, so i soaked the in the purple power for a few hours and it still had the oily residue on it so that is when i used the gas, worked great. now i am ready for the no-toil.

 

S

Studboy

Thinks he can ride

Dec 2, 2001

1,818

0

• Oct 24, 2004

• #7

Now tell me...what is the point in using No-Toil oil and then using gas to clean it???

 

D

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member

May 3, 2000

5,348

3

• Oct 24, 2004

• #8

You don't want to use gas on a filter that has been oiled with No Toil oil. It stains the filter.

The way I read it, he cleaned off Maxima filter oil with the gas, so that the filter would be as clean as possible before he switched to the No Toil. He doesn't inted to use gas again, but found that it worked great to get the filter clean.

 

J

JasonWho

Member

Apr 10, 2002

2,109

0

• Oct 25, 2004

• #9

Hi. Here is a page on the Twin Air website with some tips.

http://www.twinairusa.com/tips/

One tip is: "Do not use GAS or other harsh chemical cleaners!!! These break down the glue holding the foam filter together. They also prematurely deteriorate the foam."

I hope this helps.

 

N

njkx

Member

Apr 13, 2004

209

1

• Oct 25, 2004

• #10

i never had a problem using gas. after soaking in gas, i put some dishwashing soap on and rinse it out good. my filters usually last a whole year before they start getting poreous. then i toss and get a new one.

 

T

teamfof

Member

Oct 19, 2004

2

0

• Oct 25, 2004

• #11

Gas is harsh, but that is why it always works. It ruins filters and ruins your chances of your wife ever letting you wash filters in the sink again. For $25 I'd start over with new filter and only use no-toil and their magic cleaner.

 

L

Lonewolf

Member

May 30, 2002

494

0

• Oct 25, 2004

• Thread starter
• #12

I was not using gas to get No-Toil out of the filter, I was using gas to get the Maxima FFT filter oil out of the filter that was originaly used by friend. My freind had an extra filter from the CRF he used to own and he gave it to me.

 

Treejumper

2 wheeled idiot

Damn Yankees

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Sep 9, 2000

2,987

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• Oct 25, 2004

• #13

Your not suppose to use gas? ;) That's all i've used for over 20 years.

 

WaltCMoto

Sponsoring Member

Jan 1, 2001

1,933

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• Oct 25, 2004

• #14

Treejumper said:

Your not suppose to use gas? ;) That's all i've used for over 20 years.

Click to expand...

So tell me Chukie, how has that 86 YZ held up for ya. :yikes:

 

E

Enduro_Nut

~SPONSOR~

Feb 7, 2002

1,155

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• Oct 25, 2004

• #15

Treejumper said:

Your not suppose to use gas? ;) That's all i've used for over 20 years.

Click to expand...

30+ and counting. I think the cleaner is way to much $$, for what it costs you might be able to buy a new filter every 6 months. Don't get me wrong - gas is very dangerous, but...

 

K

kawi boy

Member

Nov 18, 2004

8

0

• Nov 18, 2004

• #16

Use two Stroke gas the oil works with the gas and gets more of the dirt and dust out, i have always used 2 stroke gas and it has never let me down. For me a filter usually lasts about one year.

 

R

rikhek

Member

Nov 3, 2004

67

0

• Nov 19, 2004

• #17

Gas for the last 32 years and have never had a filter come apart on me.

Rick

 

2

2wheels

Member

Aug 7, 2002

31

0

• Apr 2, 2006

• #18

filter cleaning

Gas is too dangerous use kerosene much safer.

 

H

Halfast816

Member

Mar 21, 2005

34

0

• Apr 3, 2006

• #19

Almost thirty years of using gas. The danger factor dropped considerably when I gave up cigar smoking. The only filters I had come apart were well beyond their life expectancy anyway. If you have been in it long enough you have used gas at least once. ;)

 

C

Colorado

Member

Apr 2, 2005

228

0

• Apr 7, 2006

• #20

I use gas, then check the filter for wear over a butane lighter. Some people are just like that.

 

N

nickyd

Member

Sep 22, 2004

873

0

• Apr 8, 2006

• #21

Colorado said:

I use gas, then check the filter for wear over a butane lighter. Some people are just like that.

Click to expand...

hahah

i dunk mine in the parts washer. while drinking.


and smoking.

 

M

mmm6188

Member

May 1, 2005

9

0

• Apr 10, 2006

• #22

i always clean my twin air with gas...just be sure to use a good amount of filter oil afterwards

 

F

fatboyslim

Member

Apr 11, 2006

255

0

• Apr 11, 2006

• #23

You can keep using gas as long as you replace your airfilter after about 25 - 30 cleaning. Using Kerosene would work too and it doesn'y wreck your airfilter. An air filter should last you about 50 cleanings using kerosene or factory cleaners. Using gas cuts the amount of the those cleanings in half.

 

K

*KISSofDEATH*

Mi. Trail Riders

Member

Mar 1, 2006

88

0

• Apr 11, 2006

• #24

Gas is the only thing I have ever used. Never had any problems.