Oil Bath Air Cleaner Service: Cleaning the Filter Element?

[Bruce Berman]

In the 37+ years that I have owned my car, I have never cleaned the element within the oil bath air cleaner. I have changed the oil in the air cleaner reservoir regularly, but that is it. I am not sure if the previous original owner ever had the element cleaned either.

With a little over 13,000 miles on the car, it is questionable as to how dirty the filter element really is, and the car has never been driven for long periods in a dusty environment.

The factory recommends periodically cleaning the element in gasoline or some other suitable solvent. I will do this, but typically how long does the filter element have to remain immersed in the gasoline to properly clean out the accumulated dirt? And is it necessary to blow the gas out of the element with compressed air to dry it out, or can I just leave it on some newspaper for an hour or so, and let the gas evaporate?

Thanks for the help and recommendations!

Bruce
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Factory original 1957 Type 1 Deluxe Sedan, with 13,000 miles. I purchased her from the estate of the original owner in 1978. Color: L324 Polar Silver, with light beige leatherette interior, dealer-installed Dehne fuel gauge and Motorola Volumatic radio.

[69judson]

I recently cleaned the element on my 70. I just let it sit in one of those large aluminum pans you can get at the grocery store. The cheap one for basting a turkey in. I let it sit for several hours in gasoline and brushed at it with an old paintbrush. Then let it air dry for another couple of hours and final blast with compressed air. After sitting in the gasoline quite a bit of old sludge at dirt washed out. While doing all this I took the time to clean and detail the metal canister.

[Bruce Berman]

[60ragtop]

I use solvent to clean them then re-use it to clean other greasy parts. strain the old gas and burn it in your lawn mower along with fresh gas
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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[Bruce Berman]

[60ragtop]

been using solvent on them since I started working on them on the 70's professionally. Have cleaned way to many to count and never saw any damage from using solvent.
probably like the oil debate
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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[splitjunkie]

Mineral spirits works fine.

Using Gasoline as a cleaning solvent is extremely dangerous as its vapors are extremely flammable and heavier than air so they will fall toward the ground and spread and easily ignite if any source of ignition is there like a pilot light on the water heater, cigarette butt or metal object dropped on the floor. It also contains benzene which is a known carcinogen.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[OLDveedubs]

I restored a couple and found that heavy duty degreaser (some people use TSP) and hot water in a 5gal bucket work well.

I basically make a soapy solution and then dip and drain the filter numerous times.

You'll find some nasty water comes out first and then it slowly gets clearer and clearer.

Finally, a hot water bath to remove all the suds.

To treat it before placing it on the car get some Kerosene and let it soak into the coconut fibers.

Here's a link to some guidance.
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-Ryan
Restoration Updates
www.my59bug.com
"Perfection through inspection."

[txoval]

Use diesel, cleans just as good and less harmful to filter

[Eric&Barb]

If the air cleaner has been ignored and not refilled with new clean oil as per the maintenance schedule you can find in the Owners Manual then you might need to soak the filter element clean.
Otherwise if the air cleaner has been regularly maintained, it is not needed to soak in degreaser to clean.
Would be a bit like washing sparkling clean your pet hog every day and then each time just letting him right back into the pasture with mud wallows in it....

1956

1964

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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Bruce Berman]

Thanks to everyone who replied with all of their great input and suggestions!

I think I will clean the element in clear kerosene, as I think that will be the most effective and safest method, while at the same time not harming the now 58+ year old paint on the filter element housing.

As I see it, immersing the air filter element in kerosene for a few hours should not create any problems or issues.

Bruce
_________________
Factory original 1957 Type 1 Deluxe Sedan, with 13,000 miles. I purchased her from the estate of the original owner in 1978. Color: L324 Polar Silver, with light beige leatherette interior, dealer-installed Dehne fuel gauge and Motorola Volumatic radio.

[Bruce Berman]

Well, I cleaned the air filter element in kerosene yesterday. No dirt or other contamination came out while soaking in the solvent; in fact, the element was pretty much immaculate.

As such, it was obvious that the previous owner did have the air cleaner properly serviced during his ownership of the car.

Thanks once again to everyone for all of their great input!

Bruce
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Factory original 1957 Type 1 Deluxe Sedan, with 13,000 miles. I purchased her from the estate of the original owner in 1978. Color: L324 Polar Silver, with light beige leatherette interior, dealer-installed Dehne fuel gauge and Motorola Volumatic radio.

[Eric&Barb]

Thanks very much for updating us all!!
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Helfen]