Oiling the foam...

[Mamala Bay]

Originally Posted By: deeter16317
Originally Posted By: Bror Jace

However, I use chain & bar oil as it is cheap and contains extra tack additive making it better at trapping dirt.



Hmmmph, and its something I have on hand! Although I probably have a lifetime supply of actual foam filter oil...bought it a long time ago for practically nothing off eBay, before eBay got greedy.

Its not that I think they should or shouldn't be oiled, I run with and without the pre-filters on my equipment...really makes no difference because I change the air filter out once a year. I believe, like a lot have already eluded to, the pre-filter doesn't filter anything extra the paper element wouldn't normally catch...as I said, I think its just to keep the large debris out of the filter so that it has a longer useful life.

I just found it funny that I have been running equipment that had these foam filter wraps for years, and this is the first time I read where it was called out to actually oil them.


The pre foam filter does more than catch the big stuff. Besides if the big stuff can easily blown off if you check the air filter regularly.

Pre foam filters catches some fine, medium and big stuff. It does help a lot and you'll notice it in harsh conditions. It helps the paper air filter from accumulating all the junk and prolonging it's useful life and being more efficient in air filtering.

 

[Merkava_4]

I see there's a bit of confusion between foam filters and foam pre-filters. Let's clear it up.

Stand alone foam filters are to be oiled with engine oil and then squeezed out by hand. You won't find these kind of filters anymore except on very old Briggs & Stratton small engines.

Some of the foam pre-filters that go on top of pleated paper filters are NOT to be oiled. On the ones that are not to be oiled, you will see "DO NOT OIL" printed right on the pre-filter. Usually the flat style foam pre-filters on the ones that don't require oiling.

The round pleated paper filters that use an oiled foam pre-filter have a metal mesh screen covering the paper element.

 

[deeter16317]

No confusion, its clearly stated in two manuals for the same piece of equipment (not to mention a second Kohler manual I quoted above) that the prefilter wrap is to be oiled.

Nothing confusing about that?? The quoted text again from a Kohler Courage manual:

"Air cleaner systems used on these engines will be either the standard size or PRO Series increased capacity (slightly taller) design. Each system uses a replaceable, high-density paper air cleaner element. Some are also equipped with an oiled-foam precleaner, which surrounds the paper element."

"If so equipped, wash and reoil the precleaner every 25 hours. Replace the precleaner annually or every 100 hours."

 

[big_impact]

Originally Posted By: ProStreetCamaro
I use 20W-50 and put a little in my hand. Then roll up the pre filter and place it in the oil. I squeeze it and flip it over a few times to make sure it is soaked well. Then I squeeze hard to get the excess oil out and reinstall the pre filter. Been doing this for years with out any issues. Actually by doing this the paper filters still look nearly new at the end of a season.

+1, only i use 30wt, and my paper elements always look new, i only change it every 4 or 5 yrs.
I read someone say "lawn mowers are ran in a clean/controlled enviroment"..........Thats gotta be the silliest thing ive ever read!! My vehicles are driven on paved roads (not much dust), but my mowers are always stirring up dirt/dust and grass

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: big_impact

I read someone say "lawn mowers are ran in a clean/controlled enviroment"..........Thats gotta be the silliest thing ive ever read!! My vehicles are driven on paved roads (not much dust), but my mowers are always stirring up dirt/dust and grass


Might be silly to you but not for those of us who venture out of the city and into the country.

The grass I cut is, well, grass. Usually green, often damp and NO DUST unless working beside a gravel driveway.

Try running thirty or more miles down a gravel road after a week or two without rain. The dust is so thick that you have to leave half a mile between vehicles.

Before making unfounded comments such as "silliest thing Ive ever read", it might be wise to leave your yard once in a while just to see what's "out there" .

 

[big_impact]

Grass is damp/wet in the spring, wheras we had a drought for example last yr, but the weeds kept on growing needing cut. But most of the mowing season there is pleanty of dirt/dust, way more than one would encounter on a paved street. As to the gravel road story.....like i said, i drive on paved roads, as most all ppl do. But in the event i would go down a gravel road....all the dust is in my rearview mirrior, my air intake is in the front..........

 

[lexus114]

Well after my experience,I will just let the pre Green in color foam filter dry.

 

[deeter16317]

Originally Posted By: big_impact
But in the event i would go down a gravel road....all the dust is in my rearview mirrior, my air intake is in the front..........



You'd be surprised how much dust gets sucked into the intake even though its in the front...most air is drawn in from the front fender well, and gets plenty of dust.

 

[big_impact]

My point was, i drive on paved roads, and my mower is operated in alot more dirt/dust/debris than my vehicle ever sees......

 

[deeter16317]

Originally Posted By: big_impact
My point was, i drive on paved roads, and my mower is operated in alot more dirt/dust/debris than my vehicle ever sees......



Again, you'd be surprised how much dust/dirt your car sees on pavement...not to mention the fact that a car has a lot greater volume of air (with dirt) passing through its filter.

15000 miles/50 mph average = 300 hour service life...not much more than a small engine at 1/4 the size.

 

[big_impact]

blades are spinning, constantly stirring up dirt/dust/debris, no doubt a lawnmower air filter sees more dirt than a typical street driven vehicle

 

[deeter16317]

Originally Posted By: big_impact
blades are spinning, constantly stirring up dirt/dust/debris, no doubt a lawnmower air filter sees more dirt than a typical street driven vehicle



I completely disagree...its not as cut and dry as you make it out to be. Your making the assumption that because you're on pavement, the air is clean...it is far from it.

 

[big_impact]

i realize the street isnt spueaky clean, alot of sand still out there right now. But in no way does a typical street driven vehicle see as much dirt as a mower, and this is why a mower has a prefilter and a vehicle does not. You asked a question and i answered. And prostreet camaro is a commercial cutter, id take his opinion any day over a shade tree guy.

 

[deeter16317]

Just because he's a professional, means his opinion is better than the manufacturer's recommendation? Hmmmm...

Have a nice day...

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: deeter16317
Originally Posted By: big_impact
blades are spinning, constantly stirring up dirt/dust/debris, no doubt a lawnmower air filter sees more dirt than a typical street driven vehicle



I completely disagree...its not as cut and dry as you make it out to be. Your making the assumption that because you're on pavement, the air is clean...it is far from it.


Save yourself the aggravation deeter. The blinders are on. Not worth the effort trying to reason.

 

[big_impact]

he reccommended oiling it, as do i, as does my owners manual, as does 2 quotes i read of posters referencing their owners manual......the answer is oil it........enjoying my day

 

[big_impact]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
You don't oil the foam pre-filter that covers a paper filter. The filtration system doesn't work like that. Paper filter systems are to be kept completely dry.

and i have "blinders on"....this is strickly opinion, no facts at all!...........I rest my case

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: big_impact
Originally Posted By: boraticus
You don't oil the foam pre-filter that covers a paper filter. The filtration system doesn't work like that. Paper filter systems are to be kept completely dry.

and i have "blinders on"....this is strickly opinion, no facts at all!...........I rest my case


You conveniently omitted the fact that I corrected myself regarding the above.

Maybe you should man-up and do the same?

 

[big_impact]

duely noted, you did correct yourself.......and you asked "why dont vehicles have prefilters?".....the answer is simple, mowers see more dirt, and mauals do say oil pre filter,.... so where did i provide incorrect info sir?

 

[big_impact]

Originally Posted By: boraticus

You conveniently omitted the fact that I corrected myself regarding the above.

Maybe you should man-up and do the same?

Upon further review, i noticed you were corrected, then you read your manual, then you said "i stand corrected" and then went on to defend "your it works for me" opinion. Sir no disrespect, but ive been reading this site since 06, and really all you do is provide "it works for me so everyone should do it" opinion, and not much black and white facts. I would gladly "man up" as you say, but then again, what in this thread, have i posted incorrectly?