standard or hd filter

[jefeVTtreeman]

Hey guys new saw came with a hd air filter. Stihl manual said it was for very dirty/dusty condition or they reccomend using a standard filter any ideas, is there such thing as a clean work area?

 

[NWCS]

if you want a good alternative, i keep K&N filters in stock now for the stihl 044-088. it is a direct fit under the stock cover and all. the HD filter is good but can be a bugger to clean. i have used the HD filter in all conditions and would not go with any less on that class of saw, they love to cover filters in muck!

 

[bwalker]

IMO & IME K&N filters are gravel screens and thats about it. Stick with the Stihl HD filters.

 

[NWCS]

bwalker: so whats your opinion on the maxflow filters? and where does your info come from? real world self experience or something you have read in a book or online?

 

[bwalker]

I have never used a maxflow so I can not comment on them
Ya, I read in a book that K&N filters suck.
If you had took the time to read my post you would have noticed I said IMO & InMyExpiereance. I have used K&n's in the past and actually had some data in the form of oil analysis results to back up what I have said. Actually I have ran them in several applications. One was a diesel truck and the other was a three cylinder sled motor.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I have never used a maxflow so I can not comment on them
Ya, I read in a book that K&N filters suck.
If you had took the time to read my post you would have noticed I said IMO & InMyExpiereance. I have used K&n's in the past and actually had some data in the form of oil analysis results to back up what I have said. Actually I have ran them in several applications. One was a diesel truck and the other was a three cylinder sled motor.

Ben, remember a guy named 87BOOSTED???

He was a big proponent of the K&N filter.

I inquired on a GM truck forum about the K&N filter..........bottom line..........don't waste your time or money.

 

[Lakeside53]

The maxflow "sponge" type get oil soaked from the spit back, dust gets stuck in them, and they reduce flow! Has an MS660 with exactly that problem today.

HD filters (NOT THE corrugated and OBSOLETE wire screen type) are the best.. used on 044 - >088. All you have to do is keep the pre-filter clean and tight. I carry a spare pre filter - takes 10 seconds to snap off the old and on with a new. Just though the used prefilters in the washing machine with your jeans. After a few years, the prefilter elastic gets stretched and the won't keep it tight to the main filter - Time to spend $4 and buy new.

I recover about 90% of the HD filters that eventually need cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner filed with diluted (3:21) purple cleaner - most look like new (I pretty much run all my saws on the HD filters I retreive from the garbage!)The ultrasonic will vibrate the particles back beyond the stainless cover mesh. Second best - soak in Purple cleaner (dilute), then use garden hose from the inside to the outside... then a compressor to blow.

 

[Lakeside53]

Hey guys new saw came with a hd air filter. Stihl manual said it was for very dirty/dusty condition or they reccomend using a standard filter any ideas, is there such thing as a clean work area?

What saw and age are you talkng about? I don't believe Stihl (USA) even offers the "standard" filter on 440 class and above machine any more..

 

[rahtreelimbs]

What saw and age are you talkng about? I don't believe Stihl (USA) even offers the "standard" filter on 440 class and above machine any more..

I was looking at the IPL on the 044 the other day. It showed the non HD filter. I have never seen this in person.

 

[Lakeside53]

I was looking at the IPL on the 044 the other day. It showed the non HD filter. I have never seen this in person.

I see a few that come in for service now and then from Eastern Washington. 064 had a similar setup in the early 90's.

 

[Justsaws]

I would like to add one more vote for Stihl filters. K&N filters look good in the box but I have been less than impressed with the actual use on my trucks. As a matter of fact, I gave my oil kit to a friend with a warning and threw the filters out. Not worth the money, time , hassle, and/or effort.

I have some of those Stihl non-HD filters. Odd, but it works.

Foam filters work but seem to require much time consuming maintenance.

Lakside, the ultrasonic cleaner you speak of sounds great. I might have to find one of those. Does yours heat up?

Stihl filters are expensive but they seem to hold up very well and work better than any easy alternative I know of.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Interesting sentiment on the K&Ns, this is the first time I've seen them run down. I put one on my car and had one on the Harley I sold. The Army runs them on the helicopters I work on... big 3'x2' filters. I can see them as not being the right application for chainsaws though.

Ian

 

[CaseyForrest]

I dont know anything about K&N in a chainsaw app. But in Vehicles, you will only see a gain if your intake is straight, no bends. Any bends either before or after the filter and you mitigate any gains made by the filter.

I had one in our Van, I just recently tossed it, and put a regular filter in, no difference in mileage, or pickup.

 

[computeruser]

I dont know anything about K&N in a chainsaw app. But in Vehicles, you will only see a gain if your intake is straight, no bends. Any bends either before or after the filter and you mitigate any gains made by the filter.

I had one in our Van, I just recently tossed it, and put a regular filter in, no difference in mileage, or pickup.

If you put the full K&N intake kit on and lose the stock airbox and tubing up to the throttle body, you actually see a meaningful gain. I picked up 3mpg on my Jeep, which means I'm now up to all of 15.5mpg on the highway without the trailer and 12.5mpg with the trailer on. Crappy numbers, to be sure, but that 3mpg wasn't bad as a percentage!

 

[Justsaws]

If you put the full K&N intake kit on and lose the stock airbox and tubing up to the throttle body, you actually see a meaningful gain. I picked up 3mpg on my Jeep, which means I'm now up to all of 15.5mpg on the highway without the trailer and 12.5mpg with the trailer on. Crappy numbers, to be sure, but that 3mpg wasn't bad as a percentage!

You should try that without the red thing at the end. Just use a regular cheapo paper element for a 1000 miles.

I drive 130 round trip everyday to work so I watch mpg like a hawk. The K&N did not hold up to time and side by side mod comparisons.

I would not be surprised to hear our military uses them. They are recyclable. They are expensive and the air force has plenty of vehicles and people to do the insane amount of maintenance it took to keep the mileage up.

If I wanted to clean airfield's once a week and have to own many expensive duplicates, I would still own K&N filters.

I now drive a Ford Focus Station wagon. 32-34mpg and when you buy it used they are cheap. Also, a Troybilt Horse tiller , a Lawn Boy push mower, and a couple of saws can all fit easily in the back. It is not a manly vehicle but it double my gas mileage and left more money for buying saws and such.

 

[Lakeside53]

I would like to add one more vote for Stihl filters. K&N filters look good in the box but I have been less than impressed with the actual use on my trucks. As a matter of fact, I gave my oil kit to a friend with a warning and threw the filters out. Not worth the money, time , hassle, and/or effort.

I have some of those Stihl non-HD filters. Odd, but it works.

Foam filters work but seem to require much time consuming maintenance.

Lakside, the ultrasonic cleaner you speak of sounds great. I might have to find one of those. Does yours heat up?

Stihl filters are expensive but they seem to hold up very well and work better than any easy alternative I know of.

Nope, mY cleaner doens't heat - no need too - the fluid gets quite warm with the ultrasonic action. I have two - one old, but large unit (ebay - about $250) that I can nearly get an entire saw crankcase into, and a smaller unit I use for carbs and small parts.