Dirty car air filter makes engine weak, how to clean properly?
The phenomenon of a car engine suddenly weakening and not working as strongly as when it was first purchased is most likely due to a dirty engine air filter.
Engine air filters are one of the most important parts, especially for today's car engines. However, unlike the air filters on motorbike engines, car engine air filters can be cleaned and reused instead of having to be completely replaced.
Why do we need to clean the engine air filter?
Regardless of the engine, the air filter has the same task. That is to ensure that the air flow into the combustion chamber is always as clean as possible. With the increasingly serious pollution intensity, cleaning the engine air filter brings many great benefits. An unclean air filter will cause the engine to waste more fuel, reduce engine combustion efficiency, and the engine temperature will be higher than normal. In addition, the air flow sensors will also not work properly, causing the fuel supply to the engine to be insufficient or excessive. On high-end cars, the car may report an engine error, affecting everyone's use of the car.
However, instead of having to go to the garage to ask for repair support, we can completely do this at home during free weekends.
The process of cleaning the car engine air filter yourself is as follows:
Step 1: Locate the air filter in the engine compartment
The air filter is usually located behind the engine intake, right behind the radiator grille. We just need to follow this pipe to reach the location of the engine air filter. Manufacturers often place the air filter in a protective box designed in a round or square shape.
Step 2: Remove the air filter from the protective box
Depending on the manufacturer, the housing is designed as a retainer or a screw. They are simply designed to be easily removed by hand or with a wrench. The air filter is located right under the housing cover and can be removed by hand.
Step 3: Clean the air filter
Use a steam nozzle to blow away any dirt on the air filter. Spray from the inside out and from top to bottom. Note that you should not clean the air filter with water or any cleaning chemical solution. Also, do not use a brush, broom or sharp object to clean the dirt on the air filter, as this may cause the filter membrane of the air filter to tear and lose its effectiveness.
Step 4: Install the air filter back to its original position.
Before reinstalling the air filter in its original position, use a dry cloth to wipe off any dust or dirt inside the protective box. Then tighten the nuts or retainers as before.
When should the engine air filter be replaced?
Cleaning the engine air filter is just a basic maintenance job. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, the engine air filter should be cleaned every 5,000 km and replaced after 20,000 km. However, with actual usage conditions as well as increasingly polluted environment, we should shorten the inspection period of this detail.
It is best to clean it every 3,000 km or once a month and replace it after 15,000 km. However, if during cleaning, you find that the air filter is torn, moldy or difficult to clean, it is time to replace this part.
