QUAD 101: Air Filter
Ferg
- April 03 2007
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This week we’ll be taking a look at your air filter. We know it’s probably dirty right now—we know ours was! Cleaning your air filter after each ride not only ensures that dirt doesn’t get into your motor. Plus, it could be the reason your ATV has felt a little sluggish lately.
A dirty filter can restrict the clean air going to the engine. This can cause the air/fuel mixture to become thrown off and will starve your engine for air. Think of how it feels when your nose is clogged and you try to breathe through it. All of this can be avoided by simply cleaning your air filter regularly (after every ride, especially if you ride in a dusty area).
To clean your filter, simply spray a cleaning solution onto the filter (we typically use K&N Air Filter Cleaner) and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then, using water, rinse all the dirt and grime off your filter (you can use the hose, just don’t get crazy). You will want to let your filter dry at this point, it’s important not to use an air compressor it could damage the filter. Then you need to put some air filter oil on to catch the smaller dirt particles (we also use the K&N Air Filter Oil). Read the instructions on your filter oil, but generally speaking just put enough oil to lightly coat the filter, it doesn’t need to be soaked (or that too will restrict the airflow).
If your filter has a rubber gasket and just slides into the air filter box, you should put some grease on the gasket, to make a good seal. Other than that, put everything back together and your motor is safe from dust bunnies. Stay tuned next Tuesday we are going to talk about what tools you should take with you on a ride.
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