Oiling Your Air Filters

[PLAYFORD TREE]

I don't know if this topic has been covered before but,

Does any one else oil their air filters when they do their routine maintenance?

Whenever i clean my saws etc.. after i have blown down the filter, i give the filter a light spray of K&N air filter oil.
Not sure why i do it, it just seems like the right thing to do.
Whenever i blow the old oil out of the filter it's always dirty, like it catches the real fine dust etc..

I used to do the same thing to my Harley air filter as that was standard operating procedure, but i have never heard of anyone doing it to chainsaw filters.

Does anyone do the same? If so why do you do it?
Or am i just a dumbass newbie?

 

[lumberinspector]

I haven't ran across anything on it but I'm very curious to see what some of the other more experienced guys say...Sounds like it wouldn't be a bad idea but I'm just a :newbie: too!

 

[greengoblin]

I have oiled mine occasionally as well, but not everytime I blow the filter out. But like you, I am a newb as well.

 

[wood rat]

No never have, Just never saw the need, clean them up and put them back on.

JMO

 

[Dadatwins]

Today's stock modern air filters on chain saws do not require oil and I know that stihl brand filters have a no 'oil mark' on the filter. As for some aftermarket stuff I don't know about it.

 

[rreidnauer]

Yea, I'd say it depends a lot on the type of filter media your saw is equipped with. Foam or gauze type - oil. Paper type - no oil. Metal mesh - ?.

 

[BobL]

I don't oil any of mine mainly because I find it's easier not to because under heavy/lengthy use, I stop occasionally and remove the air filter and just tap any excess dust off. If they are oiled you have to wash the dust off with a solvent.
Cheers

 

[SawTroll]

I have never oiled mine, and I don't want to do it either - no reason to do it, jmo.....

 

[Bowtie]

I dont oil mine, either. I dont think it would be a bad idea, however the ritual of more frequent cleaning would suck. Also, if you dont maintenence the filter more often when spraying oil, you will clog it easier and strangle the engine of air. Just my opinion.
:yoyo:

 

[rreidnauer]

no reason to do it, jmo.....

Quite right. If making chips, there's no need for micro filtration. But, if working in particularly dusty locations, (perhaps a burned area or downwind of a dusty logging road) then there may be some merit for such a thing. I'd rather clog a filter than score a cylinder.

 

[sILlogger]

used to oil air filters on my dirtbikes(foam type) but never on my harley, and never on the stihl or husky saws that i run(the hd models don't call for oil)

 

[lt1nut]

From an automotive and racing perspective: NOPE.

I would never oil a pleated/paper filter, would restrict the air charge/intake and therefore richen up the mixture. May also degrade the paper to the point of it fuxxy off into the engine or colapse.

On a foam or gauze filter, depends on what the mfg suggests.

I would not, and do not, oil foan pre-filters.

Also, remember that it is possible to over oil, in fact that happens more often than not it seems...

My :newbie: $.02 worth.

 

[super2nr]

most airfilters today donot need to be oiled.oiling them will only restrict your air flow,causing over fueling and a loss of power.

 

[manual]

I have never oiled my chainsaw filters. If you own a Stihl you can always remove the filter and tap it clean out in the field. and go on with your work.

(Just Kidding about the Stihl thing)
I have never seen a filter not make it through a days work, except fire fighting.

Now My Harley has a K&N filter installed, I use the K&N Recharger kit, Witch includes Air filter cleaner and air filter oil.

 

[PLAYFORD TREE]

Quite right. If making chips, there's no need for micro filtration. But, if working in particularly dusty locations, (perhaps a burned area or downwind of a dusty logging road) then there may be some merit for such a thing. I'd rather clog a filter than score a cylinder.

Your right, better to clog than score.

I don't do any logging work i only use my saws for domestic jobs, so i am never really working in hostile environments but, like i said when i clean the filters the oil i blow out is always dirty. I haven't noticed any decrease in power or torque, nor have i noticed any deteriation of the filter elements, wether they be cartridge,foam or the ones that look like a thin slice of a scouring pad.

I always try and clean my saws at least once a week, most times more often.
A spray bottle with degreaser a paintbrush and then blown down with a compressor, finish off with a little wipeover with a rag.
Sometimes it's a pain in the ass, but most times it feels like therapy!
Nothing better than turing up to a job with a saw thats clean, sharp and full of fuel.:chainsawguy:

Anyway, i don't know if any of this makes a saw last longer, or perform better, but i know i enjoy doing it.

Thanks for all the different opinions on the subject fella's, keep em coming!

 

[Ed*L]

When my 084 was new (mid 80's) Stihl wanted you to oil the filter, they even furnished a small bottle of air filter oil with the saw.
This was done away with shortly thereafter. Evidentally they felt it was better not to oil them.
The filter looks the same as what is furnished on todays pro saws, the oval one with the felt pre-filter.

Ed

 

[Lakeside53]

The material in the filters is different, and they have a "no-oil" symbol to indicate this.

 

[wood rat]

The filters will stop dust .. oiled filters will just be harder to clean.
JMHO