According to advice from the Cuong Motor Vehicle Maintenance Center (Dinh Cong ward, Hanoi), many motorbikes currently use paper air filters to prevent dust from flowing into the engine.
After a period of operation, dust accumulates on the air filter, requiring this part to be checked and replaced periodically. However, some people have a habit of using air guns or compressed air to blow dust, with the desire to clean and continue using.
According to recommendations from this maintenance center, this is not a suitable treatment for paper air filters.
Because the pressure from the air gun can affect the structure of the filter material, affecting the ability to hold dust. At that time, the air filter may no longer ensure the function as initially designed.
Some people even use specialized oils to re-treat the air filter after cleaning. However, if the wrong type of oil or inappropriate amount of oil is used, this part may be affected in air circulation.
Air filters, if soaked with too much oil, can also hinder airflow, while improper filtering does not guarantee the ability to retain dust.
The air filter has the task of retaining dust before air enters the engine. When the filter is heavily dirty, the amount of air supplied to the engine may decrease, affecting the car's operation process. The car may experience weak running, higher fuel consumption or engine overheating.
In the opposite direction, if the air filter is damaged or loses its dust filtering capability, dust particles may enter the engine. This process, which takes a long time, can increase the risk of abrasion of internal parts.
According to the Car Cung Motor Maintenance Center, when the paper air filter is dirty, the appropriate solution is to replace it instead of trying to clean it with compressed air or re-oiling it. About 10,000-12,000 km may be a reference milestone for checking and replacing the air filter, but the actual time needs to be based on the manufacturer's recommendations and vehicle usage conditions.
Car owners should also choose air filters of the right type, with clear origins and suitable for the car model. Using substandard products can affect the dust filtration capacity and engine performance.
