Oil Bath Air Cleaner in Desperate Need of Cleaning

mundamanu · Mar 1, 2004

I inherited a poorly maintained Ford 1600 tractor with an oil bath air cleaner that needs to be cleaned (the body itself; the oil cup is clean, since there was no oil in it!). The manual says to soak it in solvent.

I have two questions.

1) what kind of solvent are they talking about?

2) The air cleaner body (assuming that it is hollow) seems like it should weigh about 2-4 pounds, empty. However, it actually weighs more like 6 pounds. The wire mesh on the bottom is totally clogged up. Is it possible that soaking it in solvent will not get it clean? A quick look at it suggested that it doesn't come apart. Does anybody know anything about this particular cleaner or any like it? Do they come apart? If so, how? (Okay, more than two questions).

Thank you.

Bird · Mar 1, 2004

( what kind of solvent are they talking about? )

I'm afraid a lot of people use gasoline in spite of the danger. Naptha is also used. My preference is Varsol.

normde2001 · Mar 1, 2004

"Gunk" engine cleaner always worked well for me. It's different stuff from what it used to be, (used to love that smell around a shop), but it still works good. You might also try boiling soapy water.

Soundguy · Mar 1, 2004

we have similar air cleaners on the old Ford N-series.

Generally the wire mesh can be removed, and is held in by a split ring.

Even without removing it, you can clean it though.

In the old ford manuals, favorite solvent not mentioned was kerosene.. diesel works ok though... gas is good but dangerous.. naptha lifts alot too.

If you don't mind the paint coming off.. carb cleaner ( dip or spray kind ) will remove just about everything.. including your skin..

My bet is kerosene.. let soak good.. and slosh around alot..

Soundguy

Junkman · Mar 1, 2004

I would soak it in Kerosene and keep sloshing it around. Then soak it again in some clean kerosene and slosh some more. Then let dry in the sun while it is on newspaper to absorb the kerosene. I wouldn't try to disassemble it because it might not want to go back together later on. You can do just as good of a job in a 5 gallon bucket. Don't use gasoline because it doesn't clean as well as the kerosene in this case. The kerosene will leave a slight oil film on the mesh and that is good. Gasoline will strip it clean and that is bad because it will not filter as well. I have never seen one that wouldn't clean up with soaking in kerosene.

mundamanu · Mar 1, 2004

Thank you very much the help. I'm happy to hear it'll get clean.

Junkman · Mar 1, 2004

the good news is that it will come clean, the bad news is you have no idea of how much engine damage has been done by a dirty air filter.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

mahlers · Mar 2, 2004

It definitely wouldn't hurt to do an oil analysis and a compression check. At least you'll know what you're up against. The oil analysis will show if the engine has been ingesting a bunch of dirt (usually silicon content) and, if it's in a state of advanced decay, you'll also see what kinds of metals are suspended in the oil. That way you'll know what's been damaged and you'll have a good idea of what kind of budget you'll need to keep it alive if things start going wrong.

mundamanu · Mar 2, 2004

( the good news is that it will come clean, the bad news is you have no idea of how much engine damage has been done by a dirty air filter.... )

Oh, a dirty air filter isn't the problem, since it wasn't being used! I'd say the real problem is the fact that the hose running from the air cleaner to the engine was disconnected is the problem. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The clamp came loose at some point and the bottom of the hose pulled off of the fitting, leaving about a 1/2" gap along 1/2 to 2/3 of the circumference. The previous barn manager was, ah, let's say less than attentive to tractor maintenance.

I think that I will have oil analyzed. I saw something the other day in the oil/lubricants sub about where I can send it. I just changed the oil 8 hours (running hours; about 3 months) ago. Do I need to wait until it's been in there longer or will it have already picked up whatever its going to?

Thanks.

SPIKER · Mar 3, 2004

One thing that I've used in similar situations was the brake parts cleaner, (which leaves NO residue) and dries pretty fast. it will knock loose just about all the stuborn stuff easy.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif