Filter cleaning

N

nos96

Member

Jun 3, 2002

39

0

• Jun 6, 2002

• #1

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???

 

G

Glitch

~SPONSOR~

Dec 3, 2001

630

0

• Jun 6, 2002

• #2

I was told by a some very good dirtbike mechanics to use oderless mineral spirits, then use water and soap, then squeeze and let dry.

 

Last edited: Jun 6, 2002

N

n8MX

Member

Mar 27, 2001

135

0

• Jun 6, 2002

• #3

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

 

Z

Zenith

Member

Jan 11, 2001

483

0

• Jun 6, 2002

• #4

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...

 

D

Durt Cycler

Trial Subscriber

~SPONSOR~

Nov 13, 2001

1,173

0

• Jun 6, 2002

• #5

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.

 

M

mackay

Member

Jan 7, 2002

149

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #6

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

 

D

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member

May 3, 2000

5,348

3

• Jun 7, 2002

• #7

Gasoline is toxic and easily absorbs through your skin. It is best to avoid direct contact when possible.

 

F

Filthy McNasty

Member

Mar 17, 2000

24

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #8

No-Toil, baby. ;)

 

L

los36

~SPONSOR~

Feb 7, 2002

410

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #9

Filthy is right! No-toil is the quickest and cleanest way to handle filters that I have ever tried.
Buy the oil/cleaner combo and live happily ever after.

 

D

dell30rb

Uhhh...

Dec 2, 2001

1,510

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #10

I use gas, then quickly wash in warm soap and water

 

I

Imho

Sponsoring Member

Mar 6, 2002

152

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #11

Kerosene followed by soap and water then air dry before oiling.

 

M

mxmike38

Member

May 19, 2002

42

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #12

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

 

W

wildmanmike

Member

Apr 2, 2002

38

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #13

i use pj1 air filter cleaner and then use pj1 oil...both are spray on...fast and effective.

 

M

muscle

Member

Mar 17, 2002

146

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #14

Originally posted by mxmike38
Here is a link to LCS raceing http://www.lcsracing.com/techtip2.htm

Click to expand...

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:

 

D

dirtcrazzy

Member

May 5, 2002

15

0

• Jun 7, 2002

• #15

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

Jul 27, 1999

87

6

Beaverton, OR

• Jun 8, 2002

• #16

Another vote for No-Toil, just did 3 filters tonight in the washing machine, it doesn't get any easier.

 

E

Einstein

Member

May 27, 2002

140

0

• Jun 8, 2002

• #17

I use the Uni Filter Cleaner spray first then use the soap and water to finish it off. Instead of the hang n' let dry method, put it in a drafty area or infront of a fan :D

 

B

bratt

Pain in da butt

Mar 22, 2002

214

0

• Jun 8, 2002

• #18

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.

 

R

Racer_x4

Member

Aug 6, 2001

228

0

• Jun 8, 2002

• #19

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.

 

J

JTurn36178

~SPONSOR~

May 17, 2002

131

0

• Jun 10, 2002

• #20

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!!!

 

2

2000SE

Member

May 7, 2002

53

0

• Jun 11, 2002

• #21

something like the K & N filter rechargeing kit....I have a K&N filter on my car and bought the re-charging kit for it....would this work just as good as something as the NO-Toil?

 

L

los36

~SPONSOR~

Feb 7, 2002

410

0

• Jun 11, 2002

• #22

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.

 

K

keith500r

Member

Jul 27, 2001

257

0

• Jun 11, 2002

• #23

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?

 

L

los36

~SPONSOR~

Feb 7, 2002

410

0

• Jun 11, 2002

• #24

You can get the No-toil oil, grease and cleaner for about $15 if you order it from rockymountainatv.com.

FYI - Now their oil comes in an aerosol can!! Just be sure to knead it into the foam.