How to clean air filter

[hd002e]

I took out the air filter on my Westerbeke M35B as a part of routine maintenance. This is the first time I am going through with this so not sure how to clean it. Inside the housing there appears to be a scrunched up steel wool sponge. Please see photos. Thank you!

[tkeithlu]

That's an old-fashioned oil soaked air filter. It relies on the sticky quality of engine oil to catch dust. What you do is first rinse it with a solvent; even diesel oil will work. Then squish it in motor oil and let the excess drain off. Then reinstall. Messy job, and not as good a filter as modern paper types, but OK in a marine environment.

[Engine man]

There are several ways to clean this item. 1] use a parts washer. Your boatyard mechanic may let you use theirs. 2] submerge in water and detergent, then drip or blow dry 3] spray with BRAKLEEN, a strong oil solvent. You may want to LIGHTLY coat the steel wool with oil, as this Westerbeke assembly uses a very old method of trapping and holding contaminants from entering your engine.

I think you should consider replacing this assembly with a modern, disposable paper air filter. This will eliminate the above maintenance, and MUCH MORE effectively filter the intake air. Check NAPA for Fork lift type air filters that include their own housing. It can be mounted directly on the engine, in place of the Westerbeke assembly, or mounted on a bulkhead. Joe

Originally Posted by hd002e

I took out the air filter on my Westerbeke M35B as a part of routine maintenance. This is the first time I am going through with this so not sure how to clean it. Inside the housing there appears to be a scrunched up steel wool sponge. Please see photos. Thank you!

[hd002e]

Thanka for the help guys, i think I’ll go with an automotive type air filter as suggested. I found the attached one online for less than $10. It should be easier to maintain.

[Tetepare]

Ten dollars makes me wary, though the style is good. See if there are better name brand filters like that and spend a few more dollars. These don’t clean well, so buy extras, they are consumables

I’d go with ITG foam filters, which can be washed and oiled.

[Stu Jackson]

Do a search on K&N filters, used on a lot of Universal engines.