One of the keys to good motorbike maintenance is to know how to clean the motorbike air filter. In this article we are going to show you everything you need to know to clean the motorbike air filter so that you can do it yourself without any problems.

What is the purpose of cleaning the air filter of a motorbike?

Together with the fuel and the spark, air is another of the elements necessary to generate the explosion inside the cylinder that causes the engine to move. The engine itself is responsible for absorbing as much air as possible to cause the explosion, and the air filter is used to prevent particles from entering the engine and damaging it.

Thanks to the air filter, for example, dust is prevented from entering the engine, thus avoiding future breakdowns. Over time, it is common for this filter to become dirty due to particles and therefore clog the air flow. If the flow is clogged, less air will reach the engine and therefore there will be an imbalance in the mixture which can lead to a reduction in engine power.

For this reason it is essential to clean it. It is usually advisable to clean it every 6 months or every 4,000 kilometres. Of course, this can also vary depending on the model of motorbike or the conditions in which it is used. As long as you clean the engine air filter properly you will not damage your bike. This can change if you damage the filter by cleaning it, or if you don't clean it at all, so maintenance is more than necessary.

clean-air-filter

What do I need to clean the engine filter?

To clean the motorbike air filter you don't need anything special, just a pair of gloves, synthetic mineral oil, a little soap and water.

Cleaning the bike's air filter step by step

Filter cleaning may vary depending on the type of filter fitted to the bike. If your bike is fitted with a foam air filter, one of the most common off-road air filters, you should soak it in the oil. Thanks to this oil, the air particles will be retained and trapped in the foam.

If the air filter is a paper cartridge you will not be able to get it wet. This filter can be cleaned by simply blowing it out with pressurised air, because if you get it wet you will damage it. It is a very economical filter, so it is not uncommon to change it every so often. Finally, the textile air filter is washable. It is very similar in maintenance to foam filters, making it a popular choice.

To clean the filter, the first thing to do is to wet it with a special filter-cleaning fluid to remove the old oil. Simply soak it for about 5 minutes in a bucket and let it sit. It is important to use a recommended product so that it does not damage the filter.

Once you have done this the next step is to rinse the filter with warm soapy water. Make sure that all dirt particles are removed and, of course, finish the process without leaving any soap residue.

dirty-air-filter

When you have rinsed off all soap residue, dry the filter. Place it in a clean place so that it doesn't get dirty and, without letting it dry completely, spray the filter evenly with the special filter oil.

Once the filter has been re-oiled, you should wait a short time before putting it back on the bike. This is so that the filter can absorb the oil through all its pores and allow the diluting agent to evaporate.

Finally, if there is any oil left over, it is time to remove the excess. The filter should be evenly coated and, once you have made sure of this, you can install it on the bike without any problems. We recommend that you do not use the bike for the next 24 hours to ensure that the filter is completely dry.

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