Banks Air Filter Cleaning Instructions
Cleaning your air filter is essential to its performance. Before starting, determine if you have an oiled air filter or a dry air filter, as the steps will vary.
Oiled Air Filter Cleaning
1. Pre-Cleaning
Tap the element to dislodge any large embedded dirt, then gently brush with a soft bristle brush.
NOTE: If complete cleaning is not practical at this time, re-oil the element and reinstall it in your vehicle.
2. Spray-on Cleaning
Spray air-filter cleaner liberally onto the entire element and let soak for 10 minutes.
3. Pan Cleaning
Large air-filter elements can be
rolled or soaked in a shallow pan of air-filter cleaner. Remove immediately and let soak for approximately 10 minutes.
NOTE:
NEVER use gasoline, steam, caustic solutions, strong detergents, high-pressure nozzles, or cleaning solvents to clean the filter element. All of these can cause harm to the filter media as well as SHRINK and HARDEN the rubber end caps.
4. Rinsing
Rinse off the element with low-pressure water. Tap water is okay. Always flush from the clean side to dirty side. This removes the dirt and does not drive it into the filter.
5. Drying
Always dry naturally. After rinsing, shake off all excess water and let the element dry naturally.
6. Aerosol Oiling
After cleaning air filter always reoil before using. Spray air filter oil down into each pleat with one pass per pleat. Wait 10 minutes and re-oil any white spots still showing.
7. Oiling Hints
Never use a Banks Ram-Air filter without oil (the filter will not stop the dirt without the oil). Use only air filter oil. Air-filter oil is a compound of mineral and animal oil blended with special polymers to form a very efficient tack barrier. Red dye is added to show just where you have applied the oil. Eventually the red color will fade but the oil will remain and filter the air. NEVER USE Automatic Transmission Fluid. NEVER USE Motor Oil. NEVER USE Diesel Fuel. NEVER USE WD40, LPS, or other light-weight oils.
8. Reinstall
Reinstall your Banks Ram-Air filter element with proper care. Make sure the element seats properly in the filter case. Install the cover making sure it’s in the right position. Tighten all the nuts, bolts, screws or clips to factory specifications.
9. DO NOT DISCARD
Affix the “Do Not Discard” sticker to the filter case (included with every Banks replacement element). Make sure you put the sticker in a highly visible place to alert your mechanic not to discard.
10. Performance Hints
Service every 50-100,000 miles on street-driven applications. Service more often in off road or heavy-dust conditions. If an air-filter restriction gauge is installed, then change the element when the air-filter restriction reaches 18″–H2O.
CAUTION
Extremely fine dust from agriculture or off road use will pull the oil from the element. Frequent re-oiling of the element’s clean side might be required. Completely service when practicable. For extra protection use an air-filter sealing grease on rubber ends of the element. Service only with air-filter cleaner and air-filter oil.
Dry Filter Cleaning
Clean every 50-100,000 miles on street-driven applications. Clean more often in off road or heavy-dust conditions. If an air-filter restriction gauge is installed, then change the element when the air-filter restriction reaches 18″–H2O.
1. Carefully tap the air filter element to dislodge any large embedded dirt or debris.
2. Cleaning
Spray an appropriate DRY air-filter cleaner SOLUTION liberally onto both sides of the entire filter element with the majority applied to the dirty side. Soak for 10 minutes. Do not allow the DRY air-filter cleaner SOLUTION to dry on the air filter.
NOTE:
NEVER use gasoline, steam, caustic solutions, strong detergents, high-pressure nozzles, or cleaning solvents to clean the filter element. All of these can cause harm to the filter media as well as SHRINK and HARDEN the rubber end caps.
3. Rinsing
Rinse the filter element with cool or warm (not hot) water from the clean side out in order to flush the dirt out of the filter. It may be necessary to use your fingers on the hose to apply light water pressure. Repeat steps 2 and 3, until the water flowing through the media is completely clear of any dirt and debris.
4. Drying
After rinsing, gently shake off excessive water and allow to dry naturally. Re-install the filter onto the intake system, air box or custom assembly once it is dry or just slightly damp. Follow all original installation instructions.
5. Reinstall
Reinstall your Banks Ram-Air filter element with proper care. Make sure the element seats properly in the filter case. Install the cover making sure it’s in the right position. Tighten all the nuts, bolts, screws or clips to factory specifications.
6. Do NOT Discard
Affix the “Do Not Discard” sticker to the filter case (included with every Banks replacement element). Make sure you put the sticker in a highly visible place to alert your mechanic not to discard.
7. Performance Hints
Service every 50-100,000 miles on street-driven applications. Service more often in off road or heavy-dust conditions. If an air-filter restriction gauge is installed, then change the element when the air-filter restriction reaches 18″–H2O.