Performance Air Filter Cleaning

Oil-coated cotton-gauze air-filter elements tend to free up horsepower because they allow more air to flow into the engine than standard paper-type filters. These oilable elements trap even minute dust particles, but when excessive crud collects on the pleats, air flow through the filter becomes hampered—and the engine's performance suffers. Then it's time to clean and re-oil the filter element.

Freeing Horses
Kits that contain both the necessary cleaning solution and oil are available from these filters' manufacturers. Thankfully, the process is both simple and quick (although the filter should be allowed to dry overnight).

Your hands might get a bit dirty in the process, but that's far better than getting dirt into your engine.



Street-only vehicles can go tens of thousands of miles between air-filter cleanings, but operation in dusty environments can require much more frequent cleanings and re-oilings. Don't be alarmed once a little dirt gets stuck to the pleats, however—this actually helps the filtering process. Be aware that too much fine dust can dry out the filter, in which case filter oil can be sprayed on from the filter's interior side to revive maximum filtration without a complete cleaning.


To ensure that no dust can squeeze by the filter element, put a light coating of grease on the rubber sealing surfaces where they contact the air cleaner housing. Your hands might get a bit dirty in the process—but that's far better than getting dirt into your engine.