Air Filter / Cleaning Question

[dckgmiller]

Newbee with a few questions about air filters. I have a 2001 WR426 with a Twin Air fitler:

What cleaner do you use? (I’ve read Kerosene is one of the best)

Type of oil you use?

A buddy of mine says he usually uses gas to clean the filter, then regular 10W 30 motor oil on the filter, then a little lithium-soap based grease to seal it. Anything here that can hurt the engine?

Thanks

[TwoBobRob]

I used fuel in the past to clean my filter but changed to a proprietry filter cleaning fluid last year, it's just a lot nicer to work with, and a damn sight safer also ?

I have only ever used air filter oil as sold by all lube companies. Bel-Ray and recently Silkolene have been just fine for me.

I would guess (I'm far from an expert) that in the tiny quantities of oil an air filter needs, regular engine oil may not catch as much crud as the air filter oils - they are way tackier once applied.

Over here in the UK we don't get to ride sand and dust is a lesser problem (its always raining!!), I know people who never oil their filters at all.....

[Chris_from_Oz]

I use either kerosene, or mineral spirits to clean my filters. Also, after using Silkolene first, I now use the Twin Air filter oil. It's the easiest to use IMO. DO NOT use regular motor oil. It has no adhesive properties, and will run to the bottom of your filter, leaving everywhere else dry and open to contaminate your engine..... ?

[gregwr450f]

I use either kerosene, or mineral spirits to clean my filters. Also, after using Silkolene first, I now use the Twin Air filter oil. It's the easiest to use IMO. DO NOT use regular motor oil. It has no adhesive properties, and will run to the bottom of your filter, leaving everywhere else dry and open to contaminate your engine..... ?

Don't listen to Chris, he rides a "Vespar" and uses fishnet stockings to filter the foul air that enters the power plant of his transport. ?

JOKE, he's right don't use motor oil.

[Hamish]

notoil is the best for ease of use (comes with it's own powder clean, just add water).Remeber you cant use solvents to remove this oil, only the special cleaner.

I still think belray does a better job of catching the dirt though, especially if the element isnt serviced as often as it should be.

But if you are a 'service the filter every time you ride' (or every second time) type person, I'd go with the notoil.

my 2 cents

[Chris_from_Oz]

Don't listen to Chris, he rides a "Vespar" and uses fishnet stockings to filter the foul air that enters the power plant of his transport. ?

JOKE, he's right don't use motor oil.

It's spelt VESPA, and I NEVER use my fishnets for filters, they're too expensive. Regular Razzamattaz stockings work fine thanks sweetie..... ?

[Rich_in_Orlando]

I use kerosene followed by Dawn dishwashing soap to clean the filter and I use 10W 30 motor oil. It does run to the bottom of the filter but plenty stays distributed throughout. I can squeeze the top of my filter weeks after applying the oil and my fingers are oily. I never see evidence of dust or dirt in the carb boot. Filter cleaning is much easier using motor oil and you don't have to let it sit overnight before you run a freshly-oiled filter. The manual says to use engine oil in the filter and that's good enough for me.

[gregwr450f]

Bloody hell Chris, you worry me ?

[walent215]

simple green works great for cleaning and i use the k&n spray filter oil

[ETP]

I have 3 filters and clean them the old school way, but am thinking about changing to a newer more environmentally safe method.

I start by setting up some old newspaper on the side of the house. Then I run a little gas into one of the filters and let it drip onto the others while working it around. (use solvent proof gloves of course) I continue pouring, and working clean gas thru the filters until they are clean. After drying in the sun, I work some 90wt gear oil into them until they are saturated, but not dripping. After this I apply some all purpose grease to the seal perimeter area. I then store them in clean ziplock bags until needed.

[David37]

Motor oil is for the engine not for the air filter, I would use No Toil, it's easy to apply and very easy to clean.

[Hamish]

Motor oil is for the engine not for the air filter

Set of valves $AU500 aprox ?

Air filter oil $AU15/litre