How to Remove Grass from Oil Bath Air Cleaner

sixbales · Jan 1, 2019

Ford 3600 diesel. While cleaning the oil bath air cleaner on my tractor, I noticed that I have a fair amount of grass pieces embedded into the wire mesh. I was thinking of using a propane torch to burn the grass from the mesh. What do you guys do???

Ande · Jan 1, 2019

Air gun

Steve@Advance · Jan 1, 2019

If it is packed with grass, or dirt, it will need to be cleaned. Some are designed for the mesh to be removable, others are not. I would not try to burn it out. That could turn pieces of ash and oxidized metal loose.

If you can flush it, blow it, wash it out, it will be fine. A few pieces of grass won't hurt, it's clogging dirt or tightly packed grass that will.

Since you are aware of the need to clean it, and likely have been maintaining it, chances are it is not clogged to the point that it is restricted.

It's those that get 50 years of dirt packed in that need to come apart.

Al Baker(pumpman) · Jan 1, 2019

small propane torch. The grass is oily., should burn out quickly. Al

David G · Jan 1, 2019

I would agree with others, think torch would create an inferno and ruin it.

I have put in my pressure washer and let soak, flow it backwards

Bob Harvey · Jan 1, 2019

Small, specific, nuclear device. Small is the key. ;^)

Janicholson · Jan 1, 2019

Spray on oven cleaner (careful to not get it on painted surfaces) let it work, then back flush with water. If the mesh is fine metal (steel or aluminum) it will catch on fire easily, or al the very least melt. Jim

ohiojim · Jan 2, 2019

like others have said, that oily mesh will burn like dry paper. don't use a torch

Moonlite37 · Jan 2, 2019

when I worked in a dealer shop, Yeah, I was the low man, I steam cleaned all of the mesh at every major engine overhaul. Break spot welds and crimp back into place.

sixbales · Jan 2, 2019

Thanks guys for all the ideas.

big tee · Jan 2, 2019

When I bought my first Deere 5010 40 yrs. ago from the consignment sale Con Clement ran at Grand Meadow Minn. it was a dog. Had a turbo on it so it should of had-125-135 horse. I took it to my local Deere dealer and we put it on the dyno and it had 90 horse-took the hose to the air cleaner off and the hp. jumped to 125. It had a oil bath air cleaner on it and had 20 years of cotton balls and Southern yellow clay in it. I was working at Donaldson and the biggest air cleaner they made was a 8 in. so I acquired one and put it on--Problem solved. You can see it behind my brother in the one pic.---Tee

BobReeves · Jan 2, 2019

Humm... My 3600 diesel has a paper air cleaner but my 3000 is oil bath. If it's anything like the 3000 the mesh will come out fairly easily. When I first got my 3000 it was filthy, been a few years but remember taking the mesh out and soaking it in a 5 gal bucket of kerosene. Can't remember exactly how I did it but was able to get all the solid junk out of it in the process. Remember it taking quite a bit of time.

jeffcat · Jan 2, 2019

Did one on an Allis Chalmers many years ago. As others have said, some can be disassemble and. Others you will need to carefully drill out a couple of spot welds. You will not beleave how much crap is going to come out. Will be a whole stack of screen wire disks. Take your time and be carefull.

BushogPapa · Jan 2, 2019

5 Gal Bucket with Kerosene or Diesel..agitate vigorously up and down till debris is dislodged..

How to Remove Grass from Oil Bath Air Cleaner

sixbales

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Ande

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Steve@Advance

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Al Baker(pumpman)

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David G

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Bob Harvey

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Janicholson

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ohiojim

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Moonlite37

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sixbales

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big tee

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BobReeves

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jeffcat

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BushogPapa

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