The air filter prevents dirt from entering the car engine. Thanks to this, the engine can last longer.
The air filter also serves as a noise suppressor, and in gasoline vehicles it also serves as a temperature regulator for the combustible mixture. When it becomes dirty, the amount of air entering the engine results in reduced power and increased fuel consumption.
To prevent this from happening, such an element also requires cleaning. How to clean the air filter?
Wash or change?
A car's cabin or engine filter must be changed if it is disposable and not intended for washing. This part is necessary to clean the air coming from the street into the car interior. It is based on activated carbon, that is, it acts on the principle of a gas mask.
The air filter is considered to be a consumable item, that is, components that must be replaced regularly.
Is it possible to wash the cabin filter? Yes, you can. But this is a thing of one use. That is, after contamination, it is simply replaced with a new device.
But some people cannot afford to throw away the filter every time and buy a new one. This begs the question, how to clean the cabin filter?
Such devices are specially made in a light color so that the level of pollution can be controlled, which is very convenient and thus prevents heavy accumulation of dirt and dust.
To make the part take up less space, it is made in the form of an accordion. Filtration capacity also increases.
Reusable air filters also exist, but they are very expensive. Therefore, such elements are also washed and not thrown away.
Passenger cars are most often equipped with paper parts with a carbon layer. In this case, washing the device is useless. The right thing to do would be to immediately buy a new part and replace it.
What means are used?
Typical cleaning of a special air filter consists of blowing the element with compressed air. To solve this problem, an air compressor, such as one purchased at car dealerships, is suitable. In passenger cars, there is mainly a filter with a paper base; it has a carbon layer, so it is useless to clean it; it is better to buy a new one.
With other options, to wash with your own hands, you need to prepare a vacuum cleaner for household use. Serious dirt deposits can be cleaned using low pressure running water. You can wash the car's cabin filter from adhering dirt using fuel or gasoline. When choosing this option, it is necessary to keep in mind that after the work done, a clean special filter will perform worse in its cleaning functions, because the pores on it will increase in volume. When using compressed air, these problems will not arise, so this method is considered more applicable.
For high-quality cleaning of pleated-type engine air filters, you will need an atmospheric hose or the same electric vacuum cleaner for household use. When using both methods, it is recommended to exercise maximum care, as there is a possibility of causing damage to the folds. The hose is held 10 cm from the element to be cleaned without squeezing.
When using a compressed air stream, the process is carried out far from the car, otherwise you can blow dirt deposits under the hood.
Compressor or vacuum cleaner
Inexperienced motorists ask themselves: “The air filter in my car is dirty, how can I clean it?”
Sooner or later, all such parts in the car will have to be replaced. If this happens at the most inopportune moment, you can postpone the replacement process and instead clean the device yourself.
How to clean the car air filter:
- Remove the part from the vehicle if it is heavily soiled. If you see that the device can be cleaned without dismantling, then do so.
- First, take the part, turn it upside down and tap it on any object. This will remove the bulk of the dirt and cause lumps of dust to fall out.
- Then you need to clean it with a compressor or vacuum cleaner. Take one of the tools and remove all the dust. The vacuum cleaner will suck up dust, but may not completely remove all particles. And the compressor is better. This device blows compressed air through the part. There is compressor cleaning in repair shops, as well as in some car washes.
- The vacuum cleaner nozzle is held a few centimeters from the part being cleaned. You cannot click on it. If cleaning the air filter is carried out using a compressor, then the manipulation should be performed away from the car.
Before replacing the filter, make sure it is not damaged. This cleaning method can be used at least every week, and if you have extra time, then every day. This will extend the life of the part.
How to replace the air filter in your car?
First, let's figure out how to get to the described air filter? Where is he? In most modern cars, the engine air filter is located under the hood inside the cold air manifold box, which in turn is located near the front of the engine compartment. Other vehicles, including those with carburetors, have large, round metal air cleaners that are hard to miss. If, after reading this paragraph, you still do not understand what we are talking about, we recommend reading our article “How a car engine works.” If there were no difficulties, we move on.
So, what needs to be done to replace the engine air filter, after you have figured out where this filter is located? The fact is that the air purifier is equipped with a large air intake duct (also called an air intake hose) connected to it. Loosen the clamp that connects it to the box, and then unscrew all the screws, clips, and nuts that hold the box cover in place. Place all fasteners in a safe place so that they do not fall into oblivion. Open the lid of the box and voila, inside you should find an air filter (as shown in the picture). Remove the old filter (it is not secured in any way) and inspect it.
Washing powder
You can wash the filter using regular washing powder or dishwashing detergent. They will not damage the part and will remove any remaining dust and dirt.
Action algorithm:
- Take a container of a size that will accommodate the device.
- Pour in enough water.
- Pour in washing powder. The quantity is determined by eye, depending on the degree of contamination.
- Place the filter in the solution overnight.
- In the morning, rinse with clean water.
After the part has completely dried, you can use it again. It should be remembered that in the winter season it will take longer to dry, so you can purchase another part and change it when the cabin filter needs to be cleaned.
Oils for impregnation
Special oils are used to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on the filter parts of the car so quickly.
This makes it easier for air to pass through. Such products are designed for use in harsh conditions where there is a lot of sand, dust and dirt.
Apply oils after the filter has been washed and cleaned.
- Liqui Moly Motorrad Luftfilter Oil;
- Spray IPONE SPRAY AIR FILTER OIL;
- MOTUL A3 Air Filter Oil.
Such lubricants have a specific color, which allows you to control the application process and avoid skipping.
Restoring air filters at home will not take much time. The cleaning procedure can be carried out using gasoline if there are no other means in the house.
It is important to consider that the restored part will function slightly worse than the new one, so it is recommended to replace it after 5 cleanings.
Domestos
This product has an unpleasant odor and is intended for cleaning toilets, bathtubs and bathroom tiles. Domestos can also be used to clean car cabin filters, but you will have to ventilate the part for a long time.
How to clean:
- Pour a small amount of cleaning solution into 10 liters of water, about 2-3 tbsp. l.
- Shake the mixture well until the water becomes a uniform color.
- It is necessary to clean out the main dirt and place the part in a bucket. Leave for several hours.
- Wash the air filter carefully with a soft cloth. Then rinse with clean water.
It is then left to dry and placed back in the car. If it was not possible to remove all the dirt the first time, repeat the procedure.
Who is right?
The time has come, I thought. Just a few years ago, many people didn’t even think about doing any manipulations with the old filter, they just bought a new one and that’s it, and it was significantly cheaper. And now people are forced to count every penny.
However, if you brought your clean filter with you to the service in working condition, the technician does not have the right to force you to buy a new one. And where you got this “consumable” - washed it or bought a new one at a car store - no one should care - it’s your business. The main thing is that it can perform its function efficiently.
Ipone Air Filter Clean
If you don’t have the desire or time to bother with washing the filter, you can buy special products. Ipone Air Filter Clean can be used for the engine and cabin filters.
Clean the part as often as possible. Not performing the procedure regularly can lead to serious damage.
Mode of application:
- Pour the liquid into the container.
- Immerse the part for 15 minutes.
- Gently squeeze out excess moisture, rinse, dry and treat with oil.
A cleaned filter will be no worse than a new one. One 5-liter canister of Ipone Air Filter Clean can be used up to 30 times.
Why is it necessary to cleanse?
The air filter should be washed regularly. If it becomes clogged, the air coming from the street into the car interior is not purified. Contamination of the filtration device can happen quickly when driving on a dirt road or when there is heavy dust. Due to the micropores of the device, they poorly let in air, which is necessary for the smooth functioning of the machine’s engine. Pollution leads to a reduction in engine performance and increased fuel consumption due to incomplete combustion of fuel. As a result, this may cause damage to the motor. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly change the filtration device or clean the air filter.
- How to clean the air filter?
- 1. What is an air filter for and why should you clean it?
- 2. How to properly clean the air filter?
- 3. What do you need to clean the air filter?
Air and oil filters belong to the type of parts whose condition is not particularly “shaked”: they stopped performing their functions - they threw them away and bought a new one. In other words, it is a consumable item that must be replaced regularly. However, if the vehicle constantly operates in dusty conditions, then the air filter can be cleaned between changes; and you will learn how to perform this action yourself by reading this article to the end.
What is an air filter for and why should you clean it?
All living beings need fresh air - this is a fact, but they are not the only ones who need it. Thus, the most complete combustion of fuel in the “heart” of the car will be possible only when there is oxygen present in it, which exceeds the volume of fuel by 20-30 times. Severe contamination of a car engine leads to its irrational operation or even complete failure. The air filter is designed to clean air flows even before they enter the engine, which, naturally, cannot but affect it. Therefore, it definitely won’t hurt to know about ways to clean it, but first things first…
