TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:04 am

Hey guys, back in Ethiopia with my new Weber 40 IDF carbs.

Obviously I was not able to bring the "official" oil for the air filters, so what is a good substitute? I have 15W-40, 85W-90, cooking oil.... any of those sound good? Any recommendation for those of us poor souls in remote areas that don't have access to the "proper" oil?

Also how much do I put on them: as much as they will hold without dripping or just a light coating? Advice welcome :-)

Thanks!
Rik

Ethiopia
76 VW Bus, Type 4

Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:32 am

I know of others that use ATF oil for their K&N and other brands of cotton gauze air filters.
They pour it on each pleat and then let it set until oil stops dripping off.

Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:36 am

If I was not able to get the actual oil myself, I would use automatic transmission fluid. Its similar to a 5wt hydraulic oil, because that's basically what it is and how it's used in an automatic. You don't need much! Just drip or spray it on evenly until the filter soaks it up.

Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:59 am

Gentleman,

Thanks for the quick replies. I will visit the shops for some ATF tomorrow (I am quite certain it is available).

Rik

Tue Aug 01, 2017 11:40 am

Don't saturate filters! Light mist of wd40 on outside of filter gauze works for me.

Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:24 am

I like to use a squeeze bottle with long tip. With a sharp knife, I cut a "V" notch at the very tip. Not too big. Starting with a cleaned dry air filter, I tip the squeeze bottle upside down and run the "V" along each ridge and either let gravity or a slight squeeze of the bottle wet the gauze. It will wick pretty rapidly. Let it sit for an hour and the whole filter is ready to go.

Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:08 am

Didn't get the ATF but will hopefully do it tomorrow. I can probably rig up some small hose (maybe a piece of vacuum tube?) on a squeeze bottle. Sounds a bit messy but maybe I'll be smart between now and then.

I am curious also what prevents the oil from settling down thus letting the "top part" of the filter not have as much oil to filter? Do you need to re-oil every few months? Again this whole concept for filtration is a bit new to me.

Thanks,

Rik

Wed Aug 02, 2017 10:51 am

Are you driving on paved roads, or is there dirt and dust everywhere?

The K&N and K&N type of the cotton gauze need the oil to trap the dirt. The element will not stop anything unless oiled.
Yes the oil will settle to the bottom be enough will stay at the top to work. They can actually work better when they look a little dirty.

I seen what goes through the filters when they are installed dry. The inside on one Bug with dual Webers had so much tree pollen on the inside it was plugging the jets.

If you are in dusty dirty conditions, I highly recommend switching to R2C filters. They are a dry element that can be cleaned with just compressed air or washed in water and left standing to dry.
Pacific Customs has on its' website many sizes of them for sale.

Fri Aug 04, 2017 7:30 am

Also don't forget to use the thickest grease you can on the rubber tops and bottoms of the filter elements where they touch the housings.

Fuel stand-off tends to wash away the oil,
So re-applying it is a good idea.

Remember how an oil-bath works - you are unlikely to put too much oil on those elements..

Fri Aug 04, 2017 12:28 pm

Those are dusty conditions. I would do everything I could to run an oil bath filter.

It's a bus, right, and you have twin Webers? Maybe with CB carb covers (for turbo) and your old bus filter + another, one per side. Just an idea. It might limit power, but it will best protect your engine.

Fri Aug 04, 2017 2:11 pm

you can mix the thinnest oil you can get with 91% rubbing alcohol and spray it through a hardware store spray bottle, just shake it as you go. I would also get a pair of pantyhose and put it around the airfilters so you can take it off and shake it out every now and then.

Casey

Fri Aug 04, 2017 3:51 pm

the K&N oil is red & VERY light, so gun oil, fishing reel, sewing machine,
don't go cooking oil, it's bound to spoil & smell, keep it light, it's just to trap
particulate, not lube cam lobes. You have motorbikes there, right?
Aerosol cable lube would be my best bet, light spritz on the outside of the
filter elements. Actually, bike shops there may have the K&N like oil you are
seeking.

Fri Aug 04, 2017 4:01 pm

Does Amazon ship to Ethiopia?

https://www.amazon.com/99-5000-Aerosol-Recharger-F...filter+oil

Sat Aug 05, 2017 2:25 am

You can't find an old style "oil bath filter" with dust works very well and it's cheap and easy to keep in good order

Sat Aug 05, 2017 3:22 am

Want rings to last? use good air filters!
http://www.pacificcustoms.com/r2c-weber-dellorto-and-empi-oval-air-filters.html
_________________
Glen Urban

From another thread...maybe something to look into.