Thread: Air filter cleaning

Originally Posted by DiscoKym

Don't worry too much Mick. Dirt bikes have used oiled foam filters for years as in the dirt oiled foam are the best.

I have been swapping to Unifilters for years in cars and bikes. Usually you can see a lot less dust after the filter with a unifilter.

I carry a spare scrubber (outer filter) cleaned and oiled for a quick change in the bush.

not this again...

Unifilters are commonly fitted to dirt bikes... The engines are not expected to last long. 100 hrs on one set of rings is good going for a 2st MX bike...

None of the multimillion dollar mine/earthmoving vehicles in the world come fitted with foam/cotton filters, and their engine warranty would be void if such filters were fitted. Their engines last millions of km or many tens of thousands of hours...

Originally Posted by isuzurover

not this again...

Unifilters are commonly fitted to dirt bikes... The engines are not expected to last long. 100 hrs on one set of rings is good going for a 2st MX bike...

None of the multimillion dollar mine/earthmoving vehicles in the world come fitted with foam/cotton filters, and their engine warranty would be void if such filters were fitted. Their engines last millions of km or many tens of thousands of hours...

I'm not saying they are the be all end all of filters. Just saying I have found them better than the paper filters that I have replaced them with. I have driven through central Australia and Victorian High Country with an oiled foam air filter and checked each time how much dust got through. Each time I was very happy to find none. I have found a fine layer of very fine dust that you can write in when using paper filters and that was after a road trip.

I would say it's not the air filter that wears out a 2 stroke. There are lots of reasons they wear quickly like extreme high power output per cc, no one warms them up, ports account for most of the cylinder wall, they rev like mad and they are made to last a race meeting before rebuilds. So that doesn't prove a thing. Modern 4 stroke bikes have foam filters too. The race ones the same as 2 strokes, high output per cc. The adventure bikes designed to travel around the world also use foam.

You are correct that heavy and earthmoving equipment do not use oiled foam filters. However from what I have read it is due to the lack of maintenance they receive in the quest for profits. Paper filters prove physically stronger and able to take more abuse before collapsing from being clogged.

Have a read of one I found years ago.. Internet BMW Riders - Air Filter FAQ/Info

In the end I was just trying to help Mick de stress about his choice of air filter. However according to isuzurover your engine will die a quick death. In the end do your own test and use what YOU are happy with Mick.

Originally Posted by AussieAub

G'day all,
Was just wondering what preferred methods you guys use for cleaning of the original equipment air filters between servicing (ie, the standard paper panel filters, as opposed to the likes of the K&N style oiled filters), specifically on a V8 D2?

And preferably that can be done at home, as opposed to having any "proper garage" equipment to hand.....

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption
AussieAubs Disco Page

In reply to your original query, you could hoover the outside of the filter to remove more of the dust than a good shake will do. I use paper filters (not too expensive here) and follow the standard LR maintenance schedules, despite the fact that Botswana's bush is similarly dusty as your outback.

But watch the vehicle's performance: on what was one of our first bush trips, driving a 109 with a very well-worn in-line Rover R6 petrol engine, the engine had lost all of its (very limited) guts; removing and dusting off the air cleaner as best we could in the bush (didn't have a spare - you live and learn) noticably improved engine performance.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

not this again...

Unifilters are commonly fitted to dirt bikes... The engines are not expected to last long. 100 hrs on one set of rings is good going for a 2st MX bike...

None of the multimillion dollar mine/earthmoving vehicles in the world come fitted with foam/cotton filters, and their engine warranty would be void if such filters were fitted. Their engines last millions of km or many tens of thousands of hours...

Is your forehead hurting from that brick wall yet, Ben?