Re: Oil Bath Air Cleaner Element Reconditioning

Posted by HH56 On 2023/6/9 11:50:59

I believe it has been reported the original material used in the early air filters was not animal such as horsehair etc but rather a plant fiber, specifically a coarse fiber from the Kapok tree. This is a different material from the more easily found fine Kapok fleece fiber once commonly used as insulating material in some sleeping bags and outerwear.

The material should be almost flush with the bottom openings and if the fiber has dried and deteriorated enough to lose a significant volume then I would be concerned it would also be dry enough to break off and be sucked into the engine if the filter is put back in service. IMO, it should be replaced.

It may be difficult to find the proper kapok fiber but I know others have replaced the material with easily found copper mesh which comes in rolls, and in some cases even coarse Brillo pads from the supermarket. Since the filter will not come apart without destroying the crimped over connections it will not be an easy job and no idea on the specific amount of mesh required. I would probably try to cut the mesh into lengths and work the pieces in the slots laying it as evenly as possible to end up with an almost full container -- but also taking care not to pack it in so tightly air flow is restricted. When it is inverted gravity and maybe a bit of persuasion should make the mesh drop down level with the openings. A dip in oil to wet the mesh and then blowing or shaking off the excess would probably be a good pretreatment before going back in the filter where the oil splash from the reservoir will keep the bottom side moist enough to trap dust particles.