Stihl air filters

[Jim046]

Hi
How many of you use the pre air filter item #18 in the pic on your air filters
I have been using one with item#13 it sure keeps your air filter clean but i wonder if I'm giving up some performance buy using the pre filter
Thanks
Jim

 

[Ryan Willock]

I use them and have noticed no differance in preformance.

 

[cbfarmall]

You bet I use that prefilter. I keep a couple handy so I can swap them out and clean them later. Big as the filter area is, I don't think you give up any performance.

Chris B.

 

[stihltech]

prefilter

The prefilter saves plugging the main filter. I would swap them daily. as for performance, I see no difference.

Be careful with the arctic filter in dusty conditions, it wasn't meant to run other than winter.

 

[HappyHack]

I always my prefilter. Take it off at the end of the day and smack it against your tailgate. You will be suprised at the cloud of sawdust it makes. Also, once in a while I wash it in hot water and Dawn dish washing liquid. It gets them really clean.

What does an, "Artic Air filter "look like anyway? Is it the pleated flocked filter or the Wire mesh and flock filter like in the picture? Maybe it's a filter with some Ice on it

 

[wiley_p]

If you don't use the prefilter you will be purchasing more main filters, also letting in more particulate matter. They are cheap, by switching a prefilter every day I only find I have to change out the main filter every 4-5 days.

 

[cbfarmall]

I have 3 different filters for 066. One is the pleated wire mesh, the other is a fabric of some sort, and the last is a super fine screen like the old filters I see on my 045 and 031. I think this last one is what you would consider the arctic filter. At least, that's what I was told here. Expensive, and I've never even used it. Didn't know what I was ordering at the time.

 

[stihltech]

arctic

The wire mesh is the arctic filter. Was supposed to warm up and melt the ice off, with the hot air door open on the top shroud. Can't say it worked well, as they went with heated carbs finally.
Book said DO NOT use in warm weather.

The filter wrap is a real filter saver, just remember to keep the elastic at the bottom. It will actually let the sawdust fall back out. The fabric filter without pleats is the best filter, just remember to remove the geasket on the airbox flange and seal the holes that attached it. The gasket is on the filter now.

 

[Bigsnowdog]

Re: arctic

Originally posted by stihltech
The wire mesh is the arctic filter. Was supposed to warm up and melt the ice off, with the hot air door open on the top shroud. Can't say it worked well, as they went with heated carbs finally.
Book said DO NOT use in warm weather.

The filter wrap is a real filter saver, just remember to keep the elastic at the bottom. It will actually let the sawdust fall back out. The fabric filter without pleats is the best filter, just remember to remove the geasket on the airbox flange and seal the holes that attached it. The gasket is on the filter now.

You mention the filter without pleats. Are both available at dealers?

 

[stihltech]

pleats

The newest version of the HD filter has no pleats. It appears to be more of a foam type material. Used with the wrap, it does a nice job, but it still must be cleaned like ALL filters.

 

[lostone]

Re: arctic

Originally posted by stihltech

The filter wrap is a real filter saver, just remember to keep the elastic at the bottom. It will actually let the sawdust fall back out.

stihltech, I just picked up a 046 and it has the hd filter on it but doesn't have the filter wrap, when getting a new filter wrap do they come with the elastic?

 

[cbfarmall]

The $4 filter wrap will have the elastic and all. Also, a new filter should come with a wrap and the foam insert.

Chris B.

 

[lostone]

Thanks for the info cbfarmall. guess a call to gregg is coming up soon then, I need a few other things for the saw as well. I called the local dealer here before I posted on this and they didn't have them in stock heck the one that answered the phone didn't even know what it was and had to ask one of the others about it, they said they could order them in if I wanted one.

 

[stihltech]

bottomside up

Just remember, the elastic stays on the bottom so the sawdust will fall back out.

 

[lostone]

cbfarmall is this what you have? This is what is on my 046, I went back out and realized that it is in 2 parts. This is it with what I believe to be the wrap? And Stihltech now I understand what you mean about the elastic being on the bottom, sorry to be so ignorant but I just got the saw a few days ago and only got the manual on it today from stihl. So I'm still having to do some reading on it, the filter system on these largers saws are alot diff than on my 036.

 

[lostone]

Here it is with it removed you can see part of it in the pic. Also it has the fine wire screen.

 

[lostone]

And last here it is on the back with the Stihl HD-Systems on the body of it. I was reading in the owners manual about the filters and it was saying
Standard wire mesh filter (1) (green) for normal operating conditions and winter operation.

HD filter (2) (black) for dry and very dusty work areas.

I don't know if they have changed things sense this was written, Like I said earlier it is out of a Stihl 046 manual. Stihltech is there a third style to these cats? Also Stihltech I sent you a P/M if you get a chance to read it.

 

[cbfarmall]

There are two types of the black HD filters. One is a pleated fabric element with a coarse screen to keep it in place. The other is a flat fabric type, like what Bailey's now sells.

That green filter I would not use under "normal" operating conditions. Stick to winter use when dust isn't much of a problem. Even then, though, I stick with my HD filter. The older Stihls, like my 045 and 031 used the same wire mesh in the filter and I am none too impressed by it. Replacement filters are all fabric.

I guess I should get all 3 filters together for a photo op. Just for reference. I have them somewhere....

Chris B.

 

[lostone]

I will guess that this is the second type of HD filter that you are referring to?
Filter

 

[sedanman]

Actually the one on e-bay is the one to steer clear of. The metal end caps get deformed from repeated banging to clean it. The caps come unglued from the filter and allow leakage. The fused plastic one is the way to go.