Air filters

[Bugwar]

I have heard many opinions about the cleaning of air filters and if oil should be used or not.

Can the experts please share their wisdom with us on this topic?

[Frootbat]

>>>>
I think BOET has provided all the correct answers in the following topic.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7203&p=71150&hilit ... ers#p71115

[Bugwar]

Read it and in my opinion inconclusive. Just as many engines alive without oil as with oil.

But rather safe than sorry I recon.

[Africa]

I have flown with the KNN type for 19 years, 6500 hours plus and cleaned them in Petrol and I have never had a problem. I have used mixed fuel and oil and just clean fuel and never ever had any problems. Some say soap and water and others say petrol. They both work thats fine I am just stating what works for me. These were on school planes that were used everyday. Its easy and simple to clean in Petrol too because you always have some in the hangar. I used a 2 liter coke plastic bottle and cut it in half then dunk the airfilter into in and not let the dirty petrol get inside.

[Biggles]

Copy and paste "cleaning airfilters K&N petrol" into a google and see how many sites have a big "DO NOT CLEAN IN PETROL"

DO NOT use gasoline or petrol
DO NOT use steam cleaning
DO NOT use aggressive cleaning products
DO NOT use strong chemicals
DO NOT use a high pressure cleaner
DO NOT use component cleaning solvents
Each and every one of these NOT's can inflict damage onto the filter medium K&N filters are known for. And they can also shrink or harden the rubber seals.

Caution:
Use only K & N air filter cleaner!
Do Not use petrol, thinners paraffin etc.
Do Not use detergents.
Do Not steam clean!
Do Not use compressed air.
Do Not use hot air guns for drying.

The use of any of the above can cause harm to the COTTON filter media,
plus shrink and harden the rubber end caps.
Excess heat will shrink the cotton filter media. While compressed air will blow holes in the element.

I would say if you operate from an airfield that doesn't have much airborne debris you can get away with alot with regards your filter. But if a manufacturer has a big DO NOT do on it then don't do it.

I suggest you take a cotton but and leave it in petrol for a few minutes...

[Boet]

Very interesting article in the X-mass edition of Microflight news, about crankshaft vs air filters. Maybe THAT will explain to the non-believers.

[Hak]

Africa i agree with you 2600h and no problems ,use the same method.

[AndyG]

Africa i agree with you 2600h and no problems ,use the same method.

Me too Jamie and my old windlass single ignition never suffered.

When you coming back for a holiday?

[Africa]

Africa i agree with you 2600h and no problems ,use the same method.

Me too Jamie and my old windlass single ignition never suffered.

When you coming back for a holiday?

Land at Smuts on the 12th of March!! Cannot wait. Going to need to find a trike to skydive out of when i get there... heeee haaaaa

[AndyG]

Africa i agree with you 2600h and no problems ,use the same method.

Me too Jamie and my old windlass single ignition never suffered.

When you coming back for a holiday?

Land at Smuts on the 12th of March!! Cannot wait. Going to need to find a trike to skydive out of when i get there... heeee haaaaa

Dude,

Make sure that you get hold of me when you are here. oh severn tu ate sex ate 4 5 nine too.

Look forward to seeing you again

[tandemtod1]

Well there you have it Paul. The definitive answer from the experts. Finally we all understand from the clear and concise answers from Africa, Hak and andy g Let me sumarise it so there is no misunderstanding. You can do exactly the opposite of what the filter manufacturer says and there will be no damage to your engine. After all, what do the manufacturers know about their own product? Nothing- right? And after all is said and done, it doesn't really matter because Rotax's are cheap and freely available.

[Morph]

It also depends on the environment the plane is in, if you fly from a pristine, tarred, never dusty, field, then you might never need the true air cleaning function of the filter. If you fly from anywhere else and to anywhere else you need the filter to work properly and it can only be guaranteed to do that if you follow the manufacturers advise, clean with soap and water and oil them to create a dust trap. Simple

I challenge you petrol cleaners out there to look at your filters and tell me if the rubbers are not hard and cracked, incapable of making a proper seal around the throat of the carb. Then I will show you my filters, still light beige, (when clean) soft flexible rubber......You don't have to put your hand on a flying pan to know that it's hot

[AndyG]

Well there you have it Paul. The definitive answer from the experts. Finally we all understand from the clear and concise answers from Africa, Hak and andy g Let me sumarise it so there is no misunderstanding. You can do exactly the opposite of what the filter manufacturer says and there will be no damage to your engine. After all, what do the manufacturers know about their own product? Nothing- right? And after all is said and done, it doesn't really matter because Rotax's are cheap and freely available.

I am no expert and I am the first one to admit it. I was merely pointing out that my trike had done many many hours and I had noticed no adverse effects. However I have read some of your technical posts and you obviously know a thing or two about engines etc. I will no longer endorse the use of petrol to wash filters but will also not crit the person if they continue to do it. When I purchase my next plane I will go by the book and see for myself. Unlike your post I am being genuine with my statement about your technical knowledge and there is no sarcasm intended.

cheers,

Andy

[Africa]

Well there you have it Paul. The definitive answer from the experts. Finally we all understand from the clear and concise answers from Africa, Hak and andy g Let me sumarise it so there is no misunderstanding. You can do exactly the opposite of what the filter manufacturer says and there will be no damage to your engine. After all, what do the manufacturers know about their own product? Nothing- right? And after all is said and done, it doesn't really matter because Rotax's are cheap and freely available.

I too was not being sarcastic but I am a professional and I am speaking from experience. I have flown rotax motors since 1987 and have always used petrol to clean my filters and thats including KNN filters. I have heard people clean them with water and soap and others with Petrol. i was clearly stating my facts with many hours of experience. Rotax at one stage recomended synthetic oil. Again, this is a similar debate because Castrol chainsaw oil has worked for me just as well. So the manual is not the "B" all and end all of it all. Also to answer Morphs statement i have flown in dusty places, grass places and tar places and it still worked just as well for me. I am not telling others what to use. people can make up their own minds. in right at 6675 hours and 7 engine failures and not one due to an airfilter i belive my way works. Also Rotax used to have a sticker on the engine that stated "not for aircraft use". Jamie

[tandemtod1]

In 1979 when I achieved my degree in mechanical engineering from the universty of the Witwatersrand, you had to subscribe to 'The Engineers Code of Conduct" much like a doctor abides by the Hypocratic Oath. With this qualification comes a degree of responsibility to your fellow man. You are required to assist your fellow man with advice in your field of expertise only and be able to substantiate your statements with recognised documentation on the subject under discussion. While I agree with you that the manual may not be the Bee All and end all it is always a good safe place to start and you will be sure that the advise that you are handing out won't get anybody hurt or worse. Professionals do not under any circumstances hand out MAVERICK ADVICE. So if you want to consider and call yourself a professional, then I recommend that you read the Engineers Code and live by it. You don't have to be an engineer to subscribe to this way of life. You can find it in the Government Gazette and on line.
I appologise if I offended anybody with my sarcasm. Incorrect advise tends to wind me up a bit as I have become a crotchety short tempered old man. Your method may well have worked well for you guys in the past but it has the potential to cause damage and it is only a matter of time before it does. Hopefully the damage will only be of a mechanical nature.
Next time your wife (assumption made here) is washing your cotton shirts, ask her to chuck a cup full of petrol into the machine and let us know how they come out. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times before you have conclusive results