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View Full Version : Filter Cleaning DIY: A Stratmosphere PSA!


StratJohn
08-26-2011, 03:10 PM
So, chances are if you've purchased a Stratmosphere Intake (http://www.stratmosphere.com/product/360/126) for your car, you've been busying loving the sound of the supercharger, and driving your car all over.
Don't forget- filters need love too! It's tough to use a mileage number to determine when to clean it, but it's simple to just pop the hood and take a peak and see how things are looking.
Many people choose to purchase a new filter to run while they clean the old one, (http://www.stratmosphere.com/product/1194/126) thus having no downtime and a backup filter!

A lot of people ask me how often, and how, to clean their filters. Here's how!

Here is a reference- This is a brand new one on the left.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6083416363_d15a65fcac_o.jpg

So if you've got a little time, clean that filter!

Hit up your local auto parts store. Grab a filter cleaning kit.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6083416439_0af20cd081_o.jpg

Maybe some rags too while you're there. I love the blue ones.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6083416503_255abd4992_o.jpg

Step one, pull it out. The filter! It's probably filthy. Here's our dirty one, on the right, next to a brand new one:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6083416363_d15a65fcac_o.jpg

Back home, open the kit up. You should have a cleaner and some oil.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6083416557_73dc29ec09_o.jpg

Over a sink, spray the cleaner on the OUTSIDE of the filter.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6083959308_5080dce447_o.jpg

Don't forget the top.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6083416649_cfeb6dcd72_o.jpg

Here it is, all cleaned up.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6083416791_7bbb626e71_o.jpg

Now let that soak for a few, but don't let it dry out.

Back at the sink, go ahead and flush water from the INSIDE to the OUTSIDE.
You want to rinse dirt and debris away from the inside of the filter.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6083416699_4c4170de31_o.jpg

Again, don't forget the top cone of the filter. This pic will make sense once you rinse it.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6083416737_e00598042b_o.jpg

Got a compressor? From the INSIDE, blow it out a little.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6083959512_1671daa7e3_o.jpg

No compressor? That's ok. Go park it in the sun for a bit to dry.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6083959572_63eb282f76_o.jpg

Now after say, 20 minutes or so, it's time to oil it. Now, a lot of people ask about how to oil it, and we always say "lightly"..
The definition of this, is holding an aerosol can of the spray oil about 16" away from the filter, and waving back and forth no more than twice.
Like applying light spray coats of paint. The farther away, the finer it is. In the photo I am a little close, just to show the can/filter at the same time.
16" away!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6083959604_25ec7f5c95_o.jpg

After a bit of that, pop it in the sun again to dry some more. No compressor this time.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6083416999_8520555c47_o.jpg

Here it is! After oiling, it'll have a light tinge of color. Pretty tough to avoid with any cleaning kit, they color the oil so you can see where it's been sprayed.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6083959660_a6eae4839c_o.jpg

It's that easy!


A Public Service Announcement brought to you by the folks at Stratmosphere [up]
zerinA4
08-26-2011, 03:15 PM
Sweet, thanks John!
NunyaBiz
08-26-2011, 03:24 PM
I cleaned mine about a month ago, and found an untold number of dead bug carcasses lodged in between the pleats. Definitely a good reminder. Even though I clean under the hood every time I was the car, it's quite easy to look past that filter element.
Kandiru
08-26-2011, 07:49 PM
I cleaned mine about a month ago, and found an untold number of dead bug carcasses lodged in between the pleats. Definitely a good reminder. Even though I clean under the hood every time I was the car, it's quite easy to look past that filter element.

That's what you get for removing the fine mesh that is sitting at the OEM air intake's bow side, just being silly here:)

StratJohn U a good man! I wish i put a reminder on my Droid X's calendar for every routine item like this.
NunyaBiz
08-26-2011, 10:11 PM
That's what you get for removing the fine mesh that is sitting at the OEM air intake's bow side, just being silly here:)

StratJohn U a good man! I wish i put a reminder on my Droid X's calendar for every routine item like this.

Actually, that darn mesh is still there. I was kinda scratching my head trying to figure out where all the bugs came from [confused]
StratJohn
08-27-2011, 07:46 AM
Actually, that darn mesh is still there. I was kinda scratching my head trying to figure out where all the bugs came from [confused]

Last install I did, I found a dead bird!
NunyaBiz
08-27-2011, 11:30 AM
Last install I did, I found a dead bird!

Lol...now that took the damn cake right there. I challenge anyone to find better "debris" in their filter then a dead bird.
jscaf
08-27-2011, 11:36 AM
Does the stratmosphere intake result in dirt/grime build up in the intakes. I am considering getting this or the APR air intake but was worried that these result in more intake dirt. My car is a daily driver in DC area...
StratJohn
08-29-2011, 06:24 AM
Does the stratmosphere intake result in dirt/grime build up in the intakes. I am considering getting this or the APR air intake but was worried that these result in more intake dirt. My car is a daily driver in DC area...

DC? You'll be fine. I think any intake will have the same filter cleaning life as another in identical conditions. Ours is easier and quicker to clean in that case. [up]
schirm
06-04-2014, 08:00 AM
I found a dead frog in mine was rock hard lol

Edit: Thought I was posting in a different thread, changed what I said so it is relevant. [headbang]
adbender
06-04-2014, 03:35 PM
I just realized i havent cleaned my filter in two years...[eek]

I think that small mesh needs cleaning too.

Im on it this weekend.
AKPS4
06-04-2014, 05:39 PM
I change/clean mine every 5k miles along with my oil change. Can't hurt so why not. I keep two filter as mentioned above for easier swapping of cleaned filters and less down time and use the same approach as above. I use a very light coat of oil though.
the4siswickid
06-04-2014, 08:39 PM
Does the stratmosphere intake result in dirt/grime build up in the intakes. I am considering getting this or the APR air intake but was worried that these result in more intake dirt. My car is a daily driver in DC area...

I'm more curious about the debate about manifold cleaning with oil charged filters that will inevitably result with Audi....good PSA, but is this helpful in reducing this likelihood?
AKPS4
06-05-2014, 03:21 AM
The fact that these filters are left completely exposed in the engine bay versus the factory boxed enclosure make them more susceptible to dirt build up and I believe you should clean them more often. It's easy to do and there really is no reason to not have a second filter to save yourself time. For the cost of these intakes and cars, it just makes sense. My 2c