How to clean a car air filter with your own hands?

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.

Remove the air filter cover;
We remove the old air filter;
We clean all the channels through which air flows to the engine;
Install a new air filter;
We put back the air filter cover;
You can measure the quality of filtered air using an indicator.

As you can see, the repair only takes a few minutes. The procedure can save us not only money, but also delay future engine repairs.

One way to optimize engine power is to install a cone filter, which is commonly used in sports car models.

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 wash: all methods

Despite the difficulties described above, washing the car air filter is still possible. But let us immediately note that the effectiveness of each of the presented methods will not give a 100% result. Even if you carefully wash your car's air filter, it will be worse in the following ways:

air flow resistance;
cleaning level;
pore diameter;
ability to pass air, etc.

In practice, if you wash the car air filter at home, you can extend its service life by 15-20%, no more. In addition, it is important to be very careful when performing the work to avoid damage. The use of boiling water, brushes and other tools that can damage the surface is excluded.

To clean, you must go through the following steps:

Dry processing. Before you wash your car's air filter, it must be cleaned. To do this, use a vacuum cleaner or compressor, with which you can remove all unnecessary things. If some dirt cannot be removed, a regular brush will do. When using a vacuum cleaner, set the power to minimum or set to blow mode (if available).

Spray application. The second step in the question of how to wash a car’s air filter is to apply a special spray. Distribute it over the surface, and then leave it for 10-15 minutes and give the product time to clean. After this time, rinse the product in warm water and let it dry in the open air. In automobile stores you can easily find special compounds designed for cleaning and impregnating filters. Before purchasing, find out whether the part you are interested in can be washed with them.

In combination, dry and wet cleaning allow you to achieve results. But the product must be washed carefully to avoid damage. In addition, one cannot count on the expected effect due to the risk of surface damage.

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.

Is it worth washing the air filter?

Once you know how to clean your car's air filter, you can try reusing it. But keep in mind that the quality of cleaning and throughput will decrease significantly. If large contaminants still remain inside, then small particles will easily penetrate the engine and will settle on the walls of its elements: cylinders, valves, pistons. After some time, you can get problems with the motor, and at the same time lose the warranty. Is it worth the risk in this case?

You can also guess about the effect of detergents on the condition of the product. For example, if you decide to wash the air filter with a special cleaner, it may dissolve during operation and clog the existing pores. As a result, the air flow will not be able to pass through the filter element at all. As a result, the engine will begin to “choke” and lose most of its dynamics.

The effectiveness of dry cleaning is also close to zero. You can remove surface debris, but blowing, shaking, or knocking will not remove existing dust. As a result, cleaned large pores will immediately become clogged, and this can lead to damage to the filter element and dirt entering the engine. Having once decided to wash a part, in the future you may need a major overhaul of the motor.

Now you know whether the car filter element can be washed, and how justified this step is. Experts say that this is not necessary, because we are talking about a minimum amount. It takes no more than 200-300 rubles to purchase a new element, and the savings can result in engine contamination and the need for major repairs. These are completely different expenses.

In the comments, share whether you have ever had to wash your car’s air vent, whether you were able to achieve results, and how justified you think such a step is.

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.

Method of cleaning traditional elements

First, a few words about whether the air filter can be washed using various commercially available chemicals.

As practice shows, washing gives a positive result provided that the filter paper is not damaged or torn from mechanical action, otherwise it will no longer retain dust.

The exception is paper carbon elements; they cannot be washed.

The procedure consists of the following steps:

Removing the filter from the car.
Primary cleaning with blowing.
Flushing.
Drying and reinstallation.

Blowing must be done in any case; you cannot immediately immerse the dusty filter in water . Otherwise, the dust settled in it will immediately turn into dirt, which will have to be washed off. After removing the element, carefully shake out the debris from it and first blow from the back side so that the dust particles fly out in the direction from which they came. Then the filter is blown from all sides in the following ways:

a compressor, available at any tire shop;
Inflate the car chamber with air and blow it out by putting an elastic tube on the valve.

After preliminary cleaning, the filter can be washed using special car cosmetics sold in aerosol cans. The product should be applied to the surface of the paper and into each groove, and then left for some time (indicated on the package). At the end, rinse off the composition along with the dirt with a stream of warm water.

Another option is washing with household dishwashing chemicals or washing powder, but such methods are less effective. The product must be dissolved in warm water, immerse the filter in it and wait 30-40 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. You cannot rub wet filter paper with different brushes; it will immediately become frayed.

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.

Procedure for disassembling and replacing the cartridge

Replacing the air filter is not difficult, and most car enthusiasts do it themselves, without resorting to the services of a car service center. The service life of the working element is set at 15–20 thousand kilometers. Procedure for dismantling and replacement:

unfasten the top cover: remove the latches or unscrew the screws;
remove the filter and inspect for contamination, decide whether to clean it or replace it with a new one;
install a new or remanufactured cartridge;
lock the housing by returning the lid to its original place.

When determining the feasibility of cleaning the cabin filter, consider the following points. Regeneration of the surface of the elements occurs only from the outside, and the internal pores retain some of the dust. In addition, the new cartridge carries an electrostatic charge, which increases the efficiency of air purification. When washed, it is lost and cannot be restored.

Modern filter materials are impregnated with special preparations that can trap germs and bacteria - this protection will disappear and the comfort in the cabin will deteriorate. Therefore, it is acceptable to use remanufactured cartridges, but it is better to install new elements.

What are the dangers of a dirty filter?

Gradually, the air filter becomes clogged, and at some point the contamination begins to affect its throughput.
Less air enters the cylinders, which means the combustible mixture becomes richer. Moderate enrichment initially causes a slight increase in engine power, but fuel consumption also increases. A further decrease in the air content in the air-fuel mixture leads to incomplete combustion of fuel, which is noticeable by black exhaust. The engine begins to operate unstably and the dynamics deteriorate. Finally, there is not enough air to ignite the fuel, and the engine stops starting. The air filter is a consumable item and, according to regulations, must be periodically replaced. Most automakers indicate a replacement interval of 10...20 thousand kilometers. Increased air dust, smog, sand, and construction dust reduce this interval by about one and a half times.

So, everything seems clear - the time has come, we buy a new filter and change it. However, not everyone is happy with this; they want to save money, especially since for some car models the prices for air filters are steep. So people have the idea to clean, wash the filter element and give it a second life.

Is it possible? First, let's figure out what an air filter is and what we are going to wash.