How To Clean a Dirt Bike Air Filter?

Dirt bikes give us an unmatched experience in speed, thrill, and adventure. The most important part of a dirt bike is its engine. The engine is responsible for generating power by burning fuel. As we know that oxygen is very necessary for the process of combustion. Therefore, ensuring that the air is pumped into the engine to fulfill the oxygen intake is essential for keeping the dirt bike air filter in top condition.

While air is pumped into the engine, tiny harmful substances or dust particles may enter along with the air, which can affect the working of the engine and may result in serious problems. To avoid any such foreign particles, the engine is guarded with an air filter, which keeps the dust or any other tiny/large particles away from the engine and clean air is pumped into the engine.

However cool a dirt bike may sound, like every other thing, they also need maintenance. Cleaning the air filter is one of the most important parts of maintenance. In this article, we’ll discuss how to clean a Dirt bike air filter and important precautions to be taken, while doing so.

Steps to Clean a Dirt Bike Air Filter

Follow the stepwise instructions to carefully and properly clean your dirt bike air filter: 

Remove the Air filter

Carefully remove the air filter from your Dirt bike. You have to do this very carefully and properly as some dirt or contaminants may drop into the engine while removing the air filter. Before you remove the filter, rub/wipe it with a wet rag. Also, it is highly advised to wear latex gloves while removing the air filter as they are very sticky due to the filter oil.

Apply Mineral Turpentine and Apply the Cleaner

The Air filter will be covered with a lot of dirt. To remove this, apply turpentine oil to the filter and slowly squeeze it off. You can skip this if you’ve already treated the air filter with filter oil. After that apply cleaner to the air filter. There are many different types of air filter cleansers available in the market. Carefully read the instructions about the cleanser and apply accordingly.

Wash the filter

Wash the filter with the filter cleaner in warm water. If you do not have a filter cleaner you can also use dishwashing liquid/gel for this purpose. You can clean it by continuously squeezing in the detergent liquid. After the filter is cleaned, soak it in clear warm water to clean off the cleaner /Soap. Repeat the clear water step three to four times to get rid of any remnants of the soap.

Let dry

After all the dirt and soap have been washed off, it’s time to dry the air filter. Squeeze any water droplets out of the air dryer and then It’s always best to let it dry by itself or air dry. You can also dry it with the help of a washing machine dryer. Never use heat for this purpose because heat may result in the breaking of the glue in the air filter. And the air filter may break.

Reoil

After the filter is completely dried, it’s time to re-oil the filter. In order to re-oil the filter conveniently, it’s advised to use a plastic bag. Place your air filter in the plastic bag and pour the filter oil From above. The plastic bag ensures that there’s no spilling of the oils. Then gently squeeze the plastic bag with the filter and filter oil in it. Make sure that the filter oil is completely absorbed by the filter with no dry patches and that the color of the filter is completely changed.

Refit and grease

Properly refit the Air filter back to its place. Also, it’s advised to grease the mating surface of the filter Before you reinstall it. It’s always better to clean the airbox along with the air filter. If the airbox is dirty, there would be no point in cleaning the air filter as you’ll have to clean it again and again regularly. A Contaminated airbox dirties the air filter easily. Therefore you should always clean the airbox and filter together.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Clean the air filter of your dirt bike regularly

It’s important to clean the air filter of your dirt bike regularly if you want better and safer performance. Especially when you are riding on the track with sand and dust. Riding on Such tracks May also require regular air filter changing/replacement. Also, make sure to take proper precautions like wearing gloves while cleaning the air filter as the cleansers May be harmful to contact.

• Use an air filter specific oil

It’s necessary to use air filter-specific oils for oiling the air filter. If not, the oil may reach the engine leaking from the filter and May cause serious problems. An air filter oil is specifically made. It evaporates after reaching the foam cells and leaves a sticky residue that traps foreign particles or contaminants.

• Clean the airbox

It’s always better to clean the airbox along with the air filter. If the airbox is dirty, there would be no point in cleaning the air filter as you’ll have to clean it again and again regularly. A Contaminated airbox dirties the air filter easily. Therefore you should always clean the airbox and filter together.

• Inspect the air filter often

Take time to inspect your Air filter and airbox regularly. Also, check for any tears in the air filter while cleaning it. If the air filter is Torn, it will not be able to Stop dust and contaminants From entering the engine and may result in serious problems with the engine and its working.

Don’ts

• Don’t clean the air filter with gasoline

No other oil should be used in an air filter except an air filter-specific oil. And gasoline for sure should not be used. Gasoline may reach the engine leaking from the filter and May cause serious problems. An air filter oil is specifically made. It evaporates after reaching the foam cells and leaves a sticky residue that traps foreign particles or contaminants.

Click here to know about how to change dirt bike tires.

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