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Dave(inMA) 
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Grafton, MA
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 Topic: Air Cleaner - Advice Needed
Posted: 26 May 2010 at 12:47pm |
Pulled the air cleaner off my WD45. I'm guessing that the last time the air cleaner was off for cleaning was in 1955 when the tractor was built....steel mesh inside shell is pretty well packed with baked-on oily scudge that needs to come out if the air cleaner is to function properly. I can't tell how far up inside the cleaner is fouled because the bottom is so packed.
As others have noted, AC provided no way to remove the mesh for cleaning. The mesh sits above a grate made of light steel that's held in place by 5-6 "indentations" around the outer edge of the canister AND the rolled over end of the center tube. I could drill out the indents, but then the grate would have to be cut to get over the end of the center tube. I'd rather not do that!
So I am looking for a way to clean this mess without taking the mesh out! I've thought about soaking it in a bucket of kerosene or taking it to a radiator shop to have it dipped.
Would these ideas work? What else do you guys suggest?
Thanks much!
Edited by Dave(inMA) - 26 May 2010 at 12:47pm
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WC, CA, D14, WD45
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CTuckerNWIL
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: NW Illinois
Points: 22823
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 2:05pm |
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Some agitation while submerged in diesel or kerosene will help. A guy outta build an agitator just for such work. A place I used to work had a couple hot tanks with an expanded metal tray mounted on air cylinders to agitation parts.
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BobHnwO
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Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Location: Jenera Ohio
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 2:15pm |
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Dave,check auto repair garages,some have steam cabinets they put parts in to steam clean them,that's how I had mine cleaned,Bob.
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Why do today what you can put off til tomorrow.
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Dave(inMA)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Grafton, MA
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 2:41pm |
Appreciate the suggestions, guys.
Thought some might be interested in "the mess":
You can see the rolled over center tube as well as the surface layer of crude that's been sucked up into the mesh over the years. On the perimeter of the grate at about 1:00 you can see one of the indentations or dimples that secures the grate to the outer shell of the air cleaner.
Edited by Dave(inMA) - 26 May 2010 at 2:43pm
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WC, CA, D14, WD45
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Ken(Bell.Wa)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 3:28pm |
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You can take the bottom off the air cleaner, you will damage it some but there is no way you will get it cleaned prorerly without taking the mesh out. I have done at least three of them, gained 5 horsepower on my 45 doing it. once its back togather no one will know the inside is bent up a little.
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Dave(inMA)
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 7:52pm |
Ken - did you straighten the curl on the center tube or cut the grate so it could be removed with the curl in place?
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WC, CA, D14, WD45
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Chris/CT
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Location: Niantic, Ct
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 8:32pm |
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I've taken many apart, not all that bad a job, you will surprised what will come out of that steel mesh!
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DSeries4
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 8:41pm |
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Since I was getting the engine to my D14 rebuilt, I threw the air cleaner in the hot tank along with the engine block. My air cleaner had a ton of corn tassles that I couldn't get out. The hot tank did the trick! My quiestion: Should the mesh be oiled?
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Dave(inMA)
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Location: Grafton, MA
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 10:05pm |
I'm looking for someone local who will throw my air cleaner into his hot tank - am I better off talking to engine rebuild shops?
DSeries4 - don't believe so. The oil is carried from the cup up into the mesh as the engine sucks air down the center tube, through oil cup, up through the mesh and out the tube leading to the carb. The oil is picked up by dirt particles in the air flow, and the particles/oil deposit out into the mesh. We're supposed to clean the mesh by the old dunk and drizzle method every year....letting the crude build up for years leads to the mess in the picture above.
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WC, CA, D14, WD45
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Brian Jasper co. Ia
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Posted: 26 May 2010 at 11:26pm |
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I think if you're careful you can take the louvers off the bottom and pull the mesh out. I did it on my D17D air cleaner and was astounded at how far up the chaff and what not had gotten in it. I had to unroll the mesh so I could fully blow all the junk out.
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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford
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