This may sound extremly stupid, but I need to know. I was taught and have been for a long time cleaning my air filters using my mixed gas, then after a good dry time I oil it up and get going. This has always worked just fine for me but a friend told me that it is terriable for both the filter and the bike. I can see that using gas might make the foam deteriorate faster but I was told from now on to use dish soap and hot water. What is everybody's opinion on this???
Filter cleaning
- Thread starter nos96
- Start date
I'm no expert, but to clean it I use kerosene. It cuts through the dirt/oil pretty fast. Gasoline is more dangerous because it is easier to ignite (lower flashpoint, I think). Then just wring it out, wait till it dries, and soak it with oil. Wring that out, put it back on the bike, and you're ready to go!
Andy
Andy
I think the petrol tends to destroy the filter alright, both the sponge and glue. I now use kerosene to break down the oil, then warm soapy water, then let it dry. There's no need to wring the filter out, just squeeze it a couple of times in the kerosene, then stick it in the warm water and squeeze it and splash it around, if you are washing the filter regularly all the dirt will be gone with no mad scrubing...
- Nov 13, 2001
- 1,173
- 0
I used to clean my filter with gas but I started to just clean it by just using hot water and dish washing soap without putting it in gas first. The gas cleaned the filter really good but after awhile it will kill the filter.
I have always had good success with a 2 part wash. First I use varsol to cut through the olf filter oil and grease (around the seal) then I shake it out and follow this with the warm water/ dish soap cleaning. I dont wring it out, I have always been told that the foam could tear, but I do squeeze the water out then let it air dry, followed by more oil and grease o reinstall
dirt bike dave
Sponsoring Member
- May 3, 2000
- 5,348
- 3
Gasoline is toxic and easily absorbs through your skin. It is best to avoid direct contact when possible.
Filthy McNasty
Member
- Mar 17, 2000
- 24
- 0
No-Toil, baby. ;)
Here is a link to LCS raceing http://www.lcsracing.com/techtip2.htm they have a pretty good idea about filter maint.
hope this helps
mike
hope this helps
mike
wildmanmike
Member
- Apr 2, 2002
- 38
- 0
i use pj1 air filter cleaner and then use pj1 oil...both are spray on...fast and effective.
Good link. I agree with using mild solvents such as diesel or kerosene to clean your filter but definately not gasoline. Gas is too harsh and flammable while diesel is combustible. (gives off flammable vapors at or above 100 degrees F) Gas breaks down the foam in the filters and while you may not actually notice this it does make an excellant filter such as a twin-air become very pourous over time allowing dirt to get through. Oil such as Bel-Ray is great. Buy a couple extra filters to keep on hand and rotate them. :cool:
dirtcrazzy
Member
- May 5, 2002
- 15
- 0
All i do is use soap and water.. let it dry put the filter lube on and put it back in the bike and ride away :D
Johnrock
Member
Another vote for No-Toil, just did 3 filters tonight in the washing machine, it doesn't get any easier.
I have to put in another vote for No-Toil. I don't have a garage or any other convient well ventilated place to wash my filter so I am left with the kitchen sink. No-Toil is great, no fumes, no solvents to dispose of, it all rinses right down the drain.
My dad has always told me to use barbasol (or maybe it's varsol, I can't remember the name) to clean my filter. What I do is pour a little of barba/varsol in a big metal bowl and soak the filter in it and squish it around and then wring all the liquid out. It does get the small dirt particles such as dust and all out but it leaves hair and big chunks in as well and is very messy and is probably bad for the filter. After that I let dry then put a small amount of oil and squeeze it around to let it soak the entire filter then put on bike. I think I'm gonna start buying some Bel-Ray filter cleaner or something now.
JTurn36178
~SPONSOR~
- May 17, 2002
- 131
- 0
Barbasol is a comb disenfectant for hairbrusehes.
Unless you have a lot of hair in your filter.... i don't think that is good?
Hah Hah Hah!!!
Unless you have a lot of hair in your filter.... i don't think that is good?
Hah Hah Hah!!!
The K & N filter is a paper element. Those filters have different requirements than foam filters. I'm assuming that the recharge kit comes with some form of cleaner and oil.
The No-Toil "system" is an oil that goes on thin, then thickens up and a powder cleaning compound designed specifically to break down No-Toil oil. Once it is mixed with water, there are no fumes and the cleanest filters I have ever seen. They also make a grease that the cleaner will break down if you like to grease the rim of your filter.
The No-Toil "system" is an oil that goes on thin, then thickens up and a powder cleaning compound designed specifically to break down No-Toil oil. Once it is mixed with water, there are no fumes and the cleanest filters I have ever seen. They also make a grease that the cleaner will break down if you like to grease the rim of your filter.
Has anyone ever used hand cleaner before? I seem to remember as a kid using gojo, or some similar grease cutting hand cleaner designed for mechanics to clean my filters. I know the orange stuff they have now works really great. it seems like it would be a safer alternative to fuel.
by the way about how much does the no toil kit cost?
by the way about how much does the no toil kit cost?