Air filters
Cleaning filters
I was just talking to a fellow coworker today who was suggesting I clean my motorcycle's air cleaner more often than every four years or so.
I, being a minimalist, disagreed.
However, if you own a rechargeable, cleanable or reusable filter - or dirty paper one, here's what you need to know. Then you can decide if you want to deal with it or postpone it as I do.
First off, how do you know when it needs cleaning?
Check your manual or read the directions on your air cleaner if you still have it.
No? It's cool, intervals are usually 12,000 miles or so, depending on conditions.
Did you still have that same air cleaner during the summer of 2008? It's probably time, that smoky dusty air is real bad on filter.
Secondly, check you mileage every tank. Barring all other changes like tire size, recent shop work, etc, a continual drop in mileage is great indicator your filter may be clogged up.
Now for the actual labor.
Find your filter.It's under the hood. Pop it and look up front on either side of the engine bay. It's usually on the front corners near the back of your headlights unless you've got an old school rig with a carburetor or throttle body fuel injection (TBI.) In this case, it'll probably under that short cylindrical tin top in the middle of the engine bay.
If can't find it, tough luck, you can stop here or reply to me and I'll figure it out for you.
Most newer cars house the air filter in black plastic box with a hose or pipe leading to the throttle body, where your lead foot connects to when you press the go pedal.
It might open without tools. If not, it's usually a simple hand-tool procedure.
Remember righty tighty, left loosey.
Open the box, pull out the element, usually paper, but sometimes, cloth if it's reusable.
If it's paper inspect it for excessive dirt.
Triage.
What's excess? How should I know. Use your judgment. Check your mileage, and the price of a new one to see if you can milk it a while longer.
If you're cheap like me shake it out or beat it on the fence and slap it back in.
If you're so inclined to replace it, congratulations, you've got to put in back in anyways and drive to the parts store and buy a new one, now you can ask the guy or girl at the counter for their opinion of your filthy filter (cheap skate.) They might try to sell you on a high performance one that'll make you're car beat a Ferrari in a 0-60 contest. They might tell you it's cheaper in the long run. Do the math it might be worth it, but don't go for it unless the price is right.
I suggest sticking with the original style, unless you like tinkering. The money you might save will probably be chewed up in time spent cleaning it.
A filter isn't really going to make a dramatic effect on performance, regardless of what the kid at the counter says his compact does now with a performance brand.
Again, if you're as cheap as I am, you'll ask for the cheapest one, then ask for a deal on it.
Wash it.
So if you've got a reusable one, wash it, but wait until you know you're not going to have to drive it for a few hours because after you clean it you're going to oil it and let it dry, right?
Use the manufacturer's recommended cleaner and oil and read the instructions carefully. It took me six years to finally read that K&N actually okays laundry detergent on their filters, I'd always gone stingy on the K&N brand cleaner to save it (cheapo.)
Knock off the big chunks, or use a soft brush to rid it of the bigger messes then rinse it good with tap water
Now in the laundry room sink (when you're wife isn't looking) wash the heck out of that thing with the detergent of your choice or availability. Rinse and repeat.
Shake the excess water off and air dry.
DON'T blow compressed air through it.
Dry? Good now spray the oil on there like the company wants you too.
The instructions are probably more poorly written than these, but follow them.
Too little and you'll let dirt into the motor - not good.
Too much and you can foul up computer controls in you're car also not good.
But we're not building a grand piano so spray some oil on it and call it good.
Scared to over or under do it? Buy a paper filter and don't listen to the kid with a fart muffler and a cold-air-kit-powered compact at the parts store.