Cleaning air filter

[jenkinsph]

My filter is not in oil, it has an inner filter and the outer filter, both dry. I like the idea of the leave blower. Thanks so much.

Bob W

I have a similar set up as you with the inner and outer filters. I lightly tap the outer filter rubber edge against a tire to remove the dust while rotating it around. I use a leaf blower without being too aggressive and reinstall. Same for the cabin filter on my ac.
The inner filter I replace without attempting to clean as needed.

Best to have new filters on hand and replace them when needed, bad filters don't protect the engine or wallet.

 

[boggen]

all filters are different, some you can clean with air compressor, some manuals leaf blowers or a shop vac that can blow air, others say you can spray with a garden hose, (without nozzle), others say just spray it down with garden hose, some might suggest a detergent of some sort, some manuals say, the filter itself needs to be trashed and new one bought. some you can use a parts cleaner / diesel to clean it up. each manual and person is correct, it is just the "depends" thing, on what type of air filter that it is.

check operators manual should give some details about the filters and how you can clean them or recommendation new

 

[bigbull338]

why dont you just buy a new air filter.

 

[Bird]

I'd definitely stay away from water on that filter, as others have said. I think tapping it on a tire, as mentioned above, is one of the recommended ways to do it, and if I were out in the field, that's what I'd do. But in reality, I've always used my air compressor because I've always had a compressor and never had a leaf blower. Of course, I don't get the compressor nozzle close enough to the filter to blow any holes in the filter.

 

[jagyzf]

On machinery with an inner and outer filter I will used compressed air on the outer one only blowing from the inside out. I will them try and inspect the best I can. I also look as the inner filter, actually I do that 1st, because if it's dirty, both will be getting replaced. Dirty inner means a hole, crack or bad seal in the outer.
As others have said, in dry conditions we may clean ours daily.

If there is no inner filter, then I would replace the filter.

Water will only make the stuff stick to the filter and seal it. Then once dry you will have a caked on coating.

 

[oosik]

I have double - inner/outer - air filters. I clean the outer using my wife's hair dryer with heat off. Much more gentle than my air compressor - first I rotate & tap on the tire, then, hair dryer from the inside out. If the inner is dirty - I replace both.

 

[JRobyn]

Even after all this, I'd still kinda like to hear from someone who is really technically familiar with the materials and construction of modern paper air filters, about the feasibility of a good water wash. I've often been tempted to do this with small engine air filters, but so far have only used the "tap out" and compressed air nozzle methods.

My hunch is that the paper used has very technical treatments applied to capture and hang onto dust particles, kinda like the floor mops that have recently come out. So water/detergent might either do NOTHING, or might destroy/remove the treatments? Or might be just perfect. Obviously, very thorough drying would be necessary prior to any re-use.

- Jay

 

[buickanddeere]

Jenkinph , Jag and others of similar thought are on the right track.
A compressed air cleaned filter deteriorates with every cleaning and will progress from minor to major blow throughs.

 

[buickanddeere]

Dear Colleagues,

I have no air compressor. Thus, I am considering cleaning the outside air filter of my MF 235 with a water hose, let filter dry, then reinstall, and keep on ranching. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Bob W
Small Time Rancher

Watch kijiji , Craig's list or want ever. Decent 1HP 120V portable compressors are plenty cheap. You will wonder how you got by without it.
Odds are your well's pressure tank could use a dose of air if it isn't a bladder type. All vehicle tires seep down. Compressor will pay for it's self by saving fuel and extending tire life.

 

[oosik]

Speaking of cleaning air filters - and with no intention of side-tracking this thread. Has anybody found a reusable air filter(s) such as K&N? I know K&N did not have anything for my tractor when I checked about six months ago.