Air and oil filters belong to the type of parts, over the state of which they do not particularly "shake": ceased to perform its functions - threw it out and bought a new one. In other words, it is a consumable subject to regular replacement... However, if the vehicle is constantly operating in dusty conditions, then between replacements air filter can be cleaned; and you will learn how to perform this action with your own hands by reading this article to the end.

1. What is an air filter for and why should it be cleaned?

All living things 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 a car will be possible only when oxygen is present in it, exceeding the volume of fuel by 20-30 times. Heavy pollution car motor leads to his irrational work or even full exit out of service. designed to clean the air flows even before they enter the engine, which, of course, cannot but affect it. Therefore, it will definitely not hurt to know about the methods of cleaning it, but first things first ...

Nowadays, there are several varieties car filters: oil inertial, dry inertial, paper and filter with reduced air resistance. Often on passenger cars Mobiles are equipped with paper elements, which are based on porous paper folded into an accordion. Its plexuses keep dust particles as small as 1 micron in size well.

The engine air filter has a cylindrical structure, while the part designed to clean the air in the cabin vehicle, has a panel construction. If you decide to clean the filter, the differences between the two should be considered.

The filter element of the part retains both small and large dust particles, providing the power unit (or cabin) of the car with the necessary flow of oxygen. If the vehicle drives on asphalt roads, the filter element becomes dirty relatively slowly, but if the car constantly overcomes unpaved and very dusty road sections, the filter micropores become clogged very quickly and begin to poorly pass the incoming air flows.

Too much clogging of the described element can lead to two main options further development events. Firstly, the power of the car and the working efficiency of its engine will decrease, and Secondly, due to incomplete combustion working mixture fuel consumption may increase, as a result of which there is a real chance of getting not only damage to the filter itself, but also damage to the engine, so it is definitely not worth delaying the replacement or cleaning of the part.

2. How to properly clean the air filter?

Some older car models have permanent air filters, while modern SUVs have more sophisticated design options with dry or wet filter elements, and all cleaning or replacement steps should be carried out in accordance with the instructions noted in the owner's manual.

As in any other case, before moving on to the immediate repair work, it is necessary to carry out the appropriate diagnostics. In the case of a car air filter, just hold it up against a bright light. If the light does not pass through it, try to “let it pass” on a hard surface (bottom down).

With this action you will knock out a little dirt from the part, but if after several attempts to clean it in this way, the filter still remains very dirty and does not allow light to pass through, then you can try to gently clean it with other methods. True, there is no need to hope for a miracle, it is quite possible that only a replacement can help.

In fact, many experts advise changing the air filter as soon as there are complaints about it, but in our life there are situations when the absence Money does not allow you to listen to this advice, which forces car owners to resort to the second solution to the problem - cleaning the air filter.

For correct execution the filter will need to be removed from the car, although it can be cleaned without dismantling using a compressor. The algorithm of the procedure is as follows: first, the largest contaminants (lumps) are knocked out of the part, after which cleaning continues with a vacuum cleaner. After cleaning the air filter, make sure it is intact so as not to reinstall an already damaged part.

You can use the specified cleaning method at least every day, but it is best to limit yourself to once a week. In addition, it is recommended to clean the filter before long trip and after the down-fall season. However, despite the seeming simplicity of the procedure, you should not treat it carelessly, because the resource of the air filter is not unlimited, and its too serious wear can cause a violation of the integrity of the part at the most inopportune moment, jeopardizing serviceability power unit, and repairing the motor will cost much more than purchasing a new filter element.

3. What do you need to clean the air filter?

Standard air filter cleaning is simple blowing out the part compressed air. A dedicated air compressor, available from repair shops, is best suited for this task. IN last resort, you can negotiate with the driver of KamAZ or ZiL, on which a compressor with an air bleed valve is installed. Also, some car owners solve the problem by using a pre-inflated wheel, but this method is not always convenient.

On passenger vehicles, most often you can find paper filters, and if it has a coal layer, then it is simply pointless to clean it, it is better to immediately purchase a replacement part. In other cases, to perform cleaning at home, it is worth preparing a household vacuum cleaner. A weak water pressure from a Kӓrcher sink will help to cope with very serious mud deposits.

It is often possible to wash the air filter from adhering dust using gasoline or kerosene, but when choosing them, it should be remembered that as a result of the measures taken, the cleaned filter will perform its functions somewhat worse, because all the pores will increase in size. When using compressed air (without the subsequent use of liquids), such problems do not arise, therefore this method is considered the most acceptable.

To properly clean the pleated air filters of the motor, you will need either an air hose (blows out dirt), or the same household vacuum cleaner (will suck out dust). Be extremely careful when using both methods, as there is a risk of damage to the folds of the air filter.

The nozzle of the hose (or vacuum cleaner) is held a few centimeters from the part to be cleaned without pressing it. In case you decide to use compressed air, carry out the procedure away from the vehicle, otherwise you can blow out the dirt just under the hood of the car. If sand or dust is inside the manifold box, tape the open end of the inlet hose with duct tape before removing it. With such a simple action, you will prevent dirt from getting into it. Then use either a compressed air hose or a regular household vacuum cleaner.

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Car air filters, along with oil and fuel filters, are considered to be consumables, that is, units that must be replaced regularly. But if the car is constantly operated in dusty conditions, you can simply clean the filter from time to time. But on your own?

What is an air filter for?

Not only a person needs fresh air, but a car, or rather, his heart - an engine. The combustible mixture only burns completely when oxygen is present in it, the content of which should be 15-20 times the volume of the fuel. And contamination of the engine leads to irrational work and even to its breakdown. The air filter is responsible for the access of clean air to the inside of the engine. Every motorist should know how to clean the air filter if necessary. Any air filter is a cylindrical (for the engine) or panel (for the cabin) design. Before, how to clean the air filter, you need to make sure which filter is in front of you.

There are several types of filters: dry inertial, oil inertial, paper and with reduced air resistance. Most often, paper filters are installed on passenger cars. They are based on porous paper folded in an accordion. The woven paper fibers are capable of retaining dust particles as small as 1 micron.

The main purpose of the air filter is to remove contaminants from the air before it enters the engine. The filter element absorbs large and small dust particles, providing free access to oxygen to the engine. Or into the passenger compartment for a cabin filter.

Why do you need to clean the air filter.

Sooner or later, the air filter becomes clogged. This can happen more quickly when driving on a dirt road and when the road is very dusty. As a result, the micropores of the filter begin to poorly pass air, which is vital for correct work car. Clogged filter leads to two unpleasant consequences... The first is a decrease in engine efficiency, a loss of vehicle power. The second is an unjustified increase in fuel consumption due to incomplete combustion of the combustible mixture. Ultimately, this can damage the filter and damage the engine itself. Therefore, do not delay the procedure for replacing or cleaning the air filter.

How to clean the air filter.

As noted above, a paper filter is most often found on passenger cars. If it has a coal layer, then there is no point in cleaning it, it is better to throw it away and buy a new one. The most convenient way to clean the filter is with a household vacuum cleaner. Experienced car owners also advise blowing the filter element with an air blower or washing it with a Karcher-type sink under low pressure.

How to properly clean the air filter.

To properly clean the filter, experts advise removing it from the car. Although it is possible to clean the air filter with a compressor without removing it from the car. First you need to knock out the filter and collect the largest dirt. Then we clean the air filter with a vacuum cleaner as carefully as possible. After cleaning the filter, you need to make sure that it is not damaged and you can put it back. The air filter can be cleaned in this way once a week, or even every day. For example, it is recommended to clean the filter before a long journey and after the "down-fall" season. But such a procedure should not be carried out thoughtlessly, because the air filter has a limited resource. A heavily worn filter can tear along the way, jeopardizing engine performance. Repair in this case will be at times more expensive than cost filter element.

Regular replacement of consumables, which include oil, air and fuel filters, allows you to maintain the health and functionality of the machine. It is believed that the air filter belongs specifically to consumable, so today we'll talk about how to clean it yourself. The main task of such a filter is to prevent various foreign particles and dust from getting inside the engine, which can cause a quick failure of the sensitive elements. How to clean an air filter with your own with my own hands? For this there are the most different ways, however, let us consider in more detail the main aspects that motorists most often have to face. The engine of a car, like the lungs of a person, constantly needs an influx of fresh air.

When air is mixed with fuel, a mixture is formed, which, when burned, forms a draft, therefore, a dirty air filter negatively affects the operation of the engine. The cylindrical air filter must be carefully removed from the installation "cup", while it is important to determine the type and model of the filter, since for different models auto designed their own options.

Air filters fall into several main categories:

• Dry inertial filter;
• Reduced air resistance paper filter;
• Oil inertial filter.

Each of them has features that should be remembered by the car owner, who is wondering how to clean the air filter. If you want to avoid cost overruns, but get maximum quality It is best to pay attention to paper air filters as they are found in most modern cars.

The presence of a carbon layer in such a filter means that after it is completely clogged, it is better not to attempt to clean the air filter, but simply replace it with a new one, since they are acceptable today. If your car uses a different type of filter, we recommend using a professional vacuum cleaner that perfectly collects even smallest elements clogging. The main filter parts can be washed with Karcher, but this should be done very carefully to avoid possible damage. At stations Maintenance air filter cleaning is carried out using powerful compressors, but this is not always rational for car owners. As for the time frame in which to clean the filter, it is advisable to do this at least once every few months, which will increase the engine's performance and its durability. Do not think about the fact that you can endlessly clean the air filter, because each product has a certain resource of work.

Although car and home air filters can be cleaned by yourself, calling a professional to replace it reduces the chance of error. First, make sure the filter is cleanable - only reusable filters can be reused after cleaning, while disposable filters should be thrown away. The easiest way to clean a reusable filter is to vacuum it, although it will likely need to be washed to remove a thick layer of dirt.

Steps

Cleaning the car air filter

Remove the filter. Open the hood of the car. If you are unable to find the filter, refer to the vehicle repair and maintenance manual (paper or digital). Alternatively, just ask the mechanic the next time you service the vehicle. Open the case (secured with screws or latches) and remove the filter.

Vacuum the dry filter. Connect the crevice tool to the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the filter on each side for a minute. Examine the filter under bright light and remove any stains it may have missed.

• Vacuuming the filter is much faster and safer than washing it.

1. Rinse the dry filter if desired. Fill a bucket with a solution of soap and water. Place the filter in a bucket and shake it. Remove the filter and shake off excess water. Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water. Place the filter on a towel and let it dry completely.

   • Do not return the wet filter back to the housing! This could damage the vehicle engine.
   • Wet filter cleaning is much more effective than dry cleaning, but at the same time it is more risky and time-consuming.

2. Clean the oil filter. Pat the filter to get dust and dirt out of it. Apply a cleaning solution (specially formulated for oil filters) to the external and inner side filter. Make sure the filter is completely saturated with the solution. Leave it in a sink or bowl for ten minutes. Rinse the filter cold water at low pressure. Shake it off and let dry completely.

   • Make sure that detergent not dry on the filter - leave it on for only ten minutes.
   • Rinse the filter by running it up and down under the tap.
   • After rinsing, the filter should dry in about fifteen minutes. If during this time it does not dry completely, wait a couple more minutes.
   • If you are in a hurry, turn on a hairdryer or small fan on average speed and temperature to speed up the drying process.

3. Re-grease the filter if necessary. Spread the oil evenly over the surface of the air filter. Cover the filter thoroughly with a thin layer of oil. Wipe off excess oil from the cover and bottom edge of the filter. Leave the filter for 20 minutes to absorb the oil.

   Clean the case. Vacuum the filter housing with a special nozzle to remove all dust and dirt from it. Alternatively, you can use a soft cloth or paper towel. Make sure the housing is completely dry and free of debris before replacing the filter.

   • Moisture and debris can damage the engine.

4. Replace the filter. Insert the filter back into the housing. Secure any clips or latches that held the filter in place when you removed it.

Cleaning your home air filter

Remove the air filter. Disconnect the system before touching the filter. Vacuum or brush the surrounding area before removing the ventilation grill. Unscrew the screw (s) or open the latch and remove the grille. Vacuum the surface of the cabinet, and then remove the air filter.

• If the system is not turned off, it will attract debris during the cleaning process.
• If the air vent is on the ceiling or high on the wall, use a stepladder.

1. Remove dirt. Shake out all the dirt from the filter into the trash can. Place the crevice tool over the tip of the flexible hose. To remove dust and debris, vacuum the front, back and sides of the filter with the upholstery nozzle.

   • If possible, vacuum the outside of the filter to avoid dusting in the house.

2. Rinse the filter under running water. Put the hose on the tap. Hold the filter so that the water flows in the opposite direction to the air flow. Rinse the filter thoroughly to remove dust and dirt.

   Wash more serious dirt stains with soapy water. If simple rinsing is not enough, try soaking the filter in soapy water. Mix a drop in a bowl liquid remedy dish washing and two glasses of warm water. Stir the solution. Soak a cloth in the solution and wipe the filter on both sides. Rinse the filter with water and let it dry completely.

   • Shake off any excess water before leaving the filter to dry.
   • If grease, smoke or pet hair gets into the filter, wash it with soapy water.

3. Dry the filter thoroughly. Blot the filter with dry paper towels and leave outside to air dry. Make sure the filter is completely dry before reinstalling it.

   • If you ignore this rule, mold can form in the filter and spread throughout your home.

4. Replace the filter. Insert the filter back into the housing. Make sure the filter is pointing in the right direction. Close the ventilation grill and fasten the screws or latches.