How to clean a chainsaw air filter? With helpful tips

The air filter on a chainsaw helps to keep the engine clean by trapping sawdust and other debris. Over time, the air filter will become clogged with sawdust and needs to be cleaned. If you’re like many users, you probably don’t think about the air filter on your chainsaw until it’s clogged with sawdust and you can’t start the engine. A clean air filter is vital for your chainsaw’s performance.

How to clean a chainsaw air filter

A chainsaw air filter can be cleaned by tapping it on a hard surface, using an air compressor, or washing it. Washing is only possible with certain types of air filters. You can use both soapy water or a special cleaning solution for this. Rinse the filter with clean water, apply some foam filter oil, and let it dry completely.

In this article, I will further explain in more detail how to clean your chainsaw air filter. And I will answer some frequently asked questions, like if it is possible to use your chainsaw without an air filter. Spoiler that is not something I recommend.

How to clean a chainsaw air filter

An air filter clogged with dust particles decreases the amount of clean air received by the combustion chamber. It will bring down the power of the chainsaw. It will also result in excessive fuel consumption. 

You can clean a chainsaw air filter in different ways. Some are fine for both a paper air filter and a foam air filter. But all methods that use a liquid are only suitable for a foam chainsaw air filter. When you notice that the air filter is damaged after removing it or extremely dirty, I recommend replacing it.

Let’s look into different methods for cleaning air filters:

● Cleaning the chainsaw filter by Tapping it on a hard surface

If you use your chainsaw occasionally and for shorter periods, the air filter may not gather a lot of dirt. In such cases, you may try to clean it by tapping it gently on a hard surface. Most of the loose dust trapped in the filter will fall off when you do this.

Do not use a lot of force on the filter while tapping the filter on a hard surface. It may damage the filter. Occasionally cleaning the dust from the air filter this way during longer working sessions helps sustain your chainsaw’s performance.

This cleaning tip will be more effective with newer air filters and work less efficiently with older ones. An older air filter will often accumulate a little bit of oil, and particles will stick to that. This technique will also not be effective when cutting wet wood, as the dust particles are stickier.

● Cleaning the chainsaw filter using an air compressor

A very effective way to clean a chainsaw air filter is to blow it clean using an air compressor. The force of the compressed air will push away most of the trapped particles in the air filter.

Remove the chainsaw air filter before using a compressor to clean it. If you try to clean it while still in the chainsaw, it can damage it and trap the particles deeper inside the filter. The compressed air may push dust into the combustion chamber.

The trick is to use the air to blow from the inside out, not the other way. So carefully point the air to the side that would normally lead to the inside of the engine.

As chainsaw air filters are not designed to sustain a high air pressure, you should set the air compressor to its lowest setting. Try to get it below 20 psi if possible. If your air compressor can not lower the output pressure, increase the distance between the air filter and the air compressor blow gun. You will probably damage the air filter if you use too much pressure.

● Washing the filter using soapy water

Many manufacturers recommend immersing the air filter in soapy water for some time to clean it. Note that this only works for foam air filters. Paper air filters can not be washed.

With washing, soapy water will dislodge trapped particles and dirt effectively. Let the soap do its work for a short while. Then rinse the filter in warm water to remove the dirt and soap.

Ensure that the filter is completely dry and apply some foam filter oil. Use a clean cloth to squeeze the filter and remove excess oil before mounting it back to the chainsaw. 

Using a wet air filter would result in more particles clogging the filter and bringing down the performance of the chain saw.

● Cleaning the chainsaw air filter using static fluid sprays

You can use a static-fluid spray to clean off the dirt from an air filter. It has the combined effect of soapy water and an air compressor. But it is not my recommended way of cleaning a chainsaw air filter. Always wait a short while to let the cleaning agent do its work before washing it off with clean water.

Ensure that the filter is completely dry and apply some foam filter oil. Use a clean cloth to squeeze the filter and remove excess oil before mounting it back to the chainsaw. 

Note: Always be careful about the material of the filter and the kind of cleaner spray you use on it. For example, using carb cleaner sprays on foam filters will damage the filter elements. Similarly, using purple cleaner without diluting will damage the flock in flocked filters.

Can I wash my chainsaw air filter?

Washing your chainsaw foam air filter with soap water is a recommended practice. Prepare a warm soapy solution and immerse the air filter in it for 30 minutes so that the dust stuck in the filter may come off. After taking the filter out of the soapy water, rinse it well in cold water to wash off any soap residue.

Manufactures as Stihl have even specific cleaning solutions like Varioclean to clean HD2 filters used in their chainsaws. After applying it, wait around 5 min before washing it with clean water. Do not let the cleaning solution dry up, and wipe the filter with a dry cloth when done.

When using a liquid to clean your chainsaw air filter, ensure that the filter gets dry before putting it back on the chainsaw. You may keep it on an absorbent towel in a place with ample air circulation to dry it. I recommend leaving it to dry overnight to ensure it is really dry and ready to go.

When the filter is dry, apply some foam filter oil. Use a clean cloth to squeeze the filter and remove excess oil before mounting it back to the chainsaw. 

Some people use an air compressor to blow the filter after rinsing the filter in water. It helps in two ways: It removes any remaining dust particles from the filter and helps to get it dry quickly. But be careful that the high pressure does not damage the air filter. And blow the air from the inside out.

Washing with water is suitable for flocked type filters and foam filters. It is not recommended for paper-based filter elements. In such cases, blowing the filter inside out using an air compressor or tapping it clean is recommended. If that does not work, replace the filter.

What can I use to clean my chainsaw air filter?

You may use different cleaning agents to clean the air filter of your chainsaw. Using warm soapy water is a cheap recommended practice for cleaning air filters. Spray cleaners can also be used for cleaning a dirty air filter. 

Use a soft brush to clean the air filter thoroughly after dipping it in the soap water. Brush it gently to avoid damaging the filter element. After the air filter is clean, rinse it with regular water and dry it entirely.

When the filter is dry, apply some foam filter oil. Use a clean cloth to squeeze the filter and remove excess oil before mounting it back to the chainsaw. 

Using soapy water for a quick wash may clean your filter. It may not remove the stains. Cleaning sprays would help you get rid of the stains as well. You may use compressed air for cleaning a dirty air filter. Ensure that the filter is blown from inside out using a lower pressure. 

Can you rinse out a chainsaw air filter?

You can rinse out a chainsaw foam air filter with water to clean it. You can use a garden hose with limited pressure to do this. The water spray helps to dislodge particles trapped in the foam pores. 

After you have cleaned the air filter, let it dry completely. Never use a chainsaw with a wet air filter, as particles will stick to it and slowly block the air. I recommend letting it dry overnight so you are sure it is dry.

When the filter is dry, apply some foam filter oil. Use a clean cloth to squeeze the filter and remove excess oil before mounting it back to the chainsaw. 

In the case of foam filters, washing it with hot soapy water before rinsing even works better. It will help get rid of the stickier dirt in them.

Can I clean my air chainsaw filter with soap and water?

Washing with soap and water is an effective way to clean flocked filters and mesh filters. Ideally, you may need to replace the air filter at least once annually. However, washing them in soap water after long sessions of wood cutting will help you extend the lifespan of the air filters of your chainsaw.

Rinse the filter with clean water after the wash, dry completely, and apply some foam filter oil. Use a clean cloth to squeeze the filter and remove excess oil before mounting it back to the chainsaw. 

Will a chainsaw run without an air filter?

Technically, a chainsaw will run without an air filter. However, I strongly recommend against this. The air filter in a chainsaw blocks dust particles from entering the combustion chamber and ensures a steady supply of clean air for the engine.

When you run the chainsaw without an air filter, bigger dust particles can get inside the combustion chamber and can damage it. Smaller particles will wear out the inner parts of the engine unit, bringing down the performance of your chainsaw over a while. 

Often running a chainsaw without an air filter may not cause severe damage imidiately, particularly if it is for a short time only. But if you keep working with the chainsaw without an air filter, it will undoubtedly damage the chainsaw over time. So I recommend never to run a chainsaw without the air filter.

Can you clean a disposable air filter?

If your chainsaw uses a disposable air filer, it is not suited to be cleaned and reused. A disposable air filter does not have a regular foam air filter’s build quality and is not very durable.

You may try tapping it on a hard surface to remove a lot of the trapped dust and particles. When it is not damaged and most particles are removed, you can continue using it. I do not recommend washing or blowing a disposable air filter, as it may damage it.

When your chainsaw uses a disposable air filter, I recommend always having a spare one near.