Stihl FS110 etc : clean filter OK?

[e9999]

shoot, was getting ready for a weedwacking job and without thinking I took the air filter out and washed it with soapy water. Until I put it back and noticed that the cover seemed pretty oily. Which made me wonder if it should be oiled. Went back to the manual where it stated in bold "Do not Wash"....

shoot.... is it shot and not be used again under penalty of ungodly engine seizure...?

to be oiled?

it is some fancy affair with the usual foam out but then an odd backing of some sort of hard felt...


So Mudders.... RTFM! (First!) even if that seems like anathema to real cruiserheads.... maybe I'll do that someday...

but in the mean time, OK to reuse for at least one day, I imagine, no?

 

[e9999]

well, since nobody here knows (or cares?), I did the second best thing and contacted Stihl tech support. (email only it seems)

Here is the answer I got (they were very fast) if you're curious:



"The filter element is comprised of a composite material that will hold water for an extended period of time if it becomes saturated. The water will actually be drawn out of the filter when the trimmer is started and run for the first time after the cleaning, and thta's not what you want getting into your combustion chamber and valves. It takes an extended period of time for the filter material to dry, so your best bet is to get a new one to use in the trimmer. The filter does not need oiling. The composite material traps the dirt particles without the need for a petroleum based additive."

I did write back and ask how long would be long enough to wait for it to dry and also to elaborate a bit on why a bit of water would be bad. (I always thought that a small amount of water mist would do no harm to an ICE, but I may be wrong on that.)




added: heard back. The gist of what the nice and helpful (yea Stihl) said is that if I were to wait a few days it would be fine. I can do that easily enough but of course, this is a pro-level tool, so a pro would want to have several filters available if it runs all day. The explanation as to why water would be bad was a bit vague, however, with some mention of affecting the combustion somehow. That was less clear.

I have to say that this filter looks unusual to me, the backing of the foam if a fairly thick (1/4") piece of dense felt that you would not think at first can let much air go through. But it does (evidently).

 

[D'Animal]

Did the STIHL E-Tech recommend that you blow it out with compressed air?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[snobdds]

I have always just used break cleaner on the stihl air filters, the non-chlorinated stuff. I then dry it with compressed air and away I go...

 

[e9999]

Did the STIHL E-Tech recommend that you blow it out with compressed air?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

no, he did not. He said first to buy a new one. And later, when I asked more specifically, that he thought it was OK to reuse once thoroughly dry after several days.

I have always just used break cleaner on the stihl air filters, the non-chlorinated stuff. I then dry it with compressed air and away I go...

Can do that perhaps but I don't know if it's OK with this filter. Generally, I'd be hesitant to use a potent solvent on a plastic foam. And there is the felt backing I don't know anything about.

 

[snobdds]

Well the break cleaner idea came as a recommendation from the Stihl service man himself as to what they do at the shop...

I've done it for years, yes on the felt type media, and no issues.

 

[e9999]

Well the break cleaner idea came as a recommendation from the Stihl service man himself as to what they do at the shop...

I've done it for years, yes on the felt type media, and no issues.

excellent, good to know. A nice alternative when time is of the issue. Plus it may give the engine that extra kick for a bit!