An air filter works as a motorcycle engine’s snout. It helps an engine breathe and ensures the correct ratio of air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. To maintain an engine’s health and get maximum output from the engine, a clean air filter is crucial. It blocks polluted air, dust, or any unwanted stuff existing in the air from entering the engine. It is essential for reducing engine noise as well.
Many symptoms can be seen when any part of a motorcycle starts failing. At the primary stage, it’s hard to address and figure out why exactly it’s happening. Not understanding these symptoms and running a motorcycle with such faulty conditions for a long time has significant effects on a motorcycle. Due to a lack of knowledge, we can only understand when the part is completely damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to have proper knowledge about an air filter. So that we can address its symptoms and fix them earlier; otherwise, it will damage your motorcycle engine in the long run if you do not address your concern.
Five most common Symptoms of a dirty and damaged air filter.
1. Clogging sound.
2. More fuel consumption.
3. Slow down throttle response and power at high RPMS
4. Decrease speed.
5. Overheating the engine.
6. Smoke comes out through exhaust.
It is not the case that you should only change the air filter after it’s damaged and or when symptoms appear. Based on the riding style and environment, a motorcycle air filter should be changed or cleaned. In general, the manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed when changing or cleaning an air filter. Most of the time, air filters fail before their allotted time due to environmental reasons. The ideal time for changing an air filter is 10,000-15,000 miles, and it should be checked in after every 3,000 miles of riding. That’s what I do. Checking, cleaning, and changing periods depend on the type of air filter used on your motorcycle and, of course, your riding style and environment. Generally, three types of air filters can be seen-
1. Cotton filters: In this list, the most durable and quality air filter is cotton-based air filters. The reason behind saying this is that cotton-based filters are washable and reusable, and these filters rarely need to be changed. If your motorcycle comes with cotton filters, clean it every 5,000-10,000 miles using a cleaning kit, re-oil it, and it is ready to use again.
2. Foam filters: These filters also can be clean. These filters tend to be more prone to dirt on the material and require more frequent cleaning than cotton filters. Foam filters need to be cleaned every 1,000- 3,000 miles or sooner if you are riding in a dusty environment. The ideal time to change this filter is between 10,000-15,000 miles. If problems such as wear and tear occur, they should be replaced sooner.
3. Paper filters: This filter can not be cleaned like the other two filters; therefore, it needs to be changed periodically. The ideal period to change this too is between 10,000-15,000 miles, and if it feels necessary, change before this period.
That’s what my experience says about changing and cleaning the period of a motorcycle air filter. Beyond this, what I do precisely is check the air filter every time I change my motorcycle engine oil. You can do the same as I do or can follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How can I clean the air filter?
I always suggest using a manufacturer-recommended air filter or an expert suggestion. If you want, you can wash your motorcycle air filters with normal water, shampoo, or dishwasher. Soak the air filter in soapy water and leave it for for 5-10 minutes. Use a brush to rub the filter very carefully to get rid of all dirt and grime. Clean it with fresh water and dry it properly. If your filter requires oil, oil it evenly according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
A short story about a motorcycle without an air filter.
When I was 19, I had a bike called Apache RTR. I wanted my motorcycle to sound louder. One of my mechanic friends suggested changing the exhaust. I changed that, but I still need help finding the loudness I wanted to. He explained to me in depth about the functioning of air filters and also told me about the effects of having and not having an air filter. I took his words very lightly. I ignored his suggestion and removed the air filter, thinking that I would drive it like this for a few days and put it back on when I was done with it. After I removed the filter, it sounded as I wanted, boomier and louder, and I started enjoying it. A few weeks later, I noticed a change in the sound of my motorcycle engine. The engine started overheating, I consumed more fuel, and black smoke came out from the exhaust with a burning smell. When I go to him again with these problems, he checks out the engine, and he starts laughing; it seems like his laugh isn’t going to stop. He was telling me, laughing uncontrollably, that wreckage built up in the combustion chamber. The piston blockers, rings, and spark plug are wholly damaged, and the valves and injectors are clogged and full of dirt and debris.
Most of us give little importance to taking care of air filters. The suffering is experienced much later when spending lots of money, which we can easily prevent with timely care. A dirty and damaged air filter could cause severe impacts like engine seizure and damage to engine particles. In extreme situations, the engine could get entirely damaged, as happened with me, or affect other parts of your motorcycle. To prevent all of these issues, you should always keep the air filter clean on time.
Hope you enjoyed the article. If you like it, leave a comment and let me know what you are interested in learning about motorcycles. I’ll be back shortly with the article.