Crankcase breather 'sponge'

I have an 08 model and have ordered a new crankcase filter because the old one is looking pretty sad.


Q: Do I have to soak the new one in motor oil before installing?

[Craig380]

No need to oil it, it'll get enough oil from the crankcase vapours

Thanks. Clean the old shriveled one with methylated spirits? (new one is on backorder).

[Craig380]

Just use warm soapy water (washing up liquid or similar), squeeze it gently dry-ish in an old bit of cleanish rag and refit.

It actually doesn't need to be cleaned as such, its purpose is to trap oil droplets coming from the crank breather so that they don't contaminate the air filter element too much. When enough oil is trapped, it will drip back down the breather tubes. You can also just gently squeeze the oil out of it into kitchen paper etc without washing it.

[R1ffR4ff]

Originally Posted by Craig380

Just use warm soapy water (washing up liquid or similar), squeeze it gently dry-ish in an old bit of cleanish rag and refit.

It actually doesn't need to be cleaned as such, its purpose is to trap oil droplets coming from the crank breather so that they don't contaminate the air filter element too much. When enough oil is trapped, it will drip back down the breather tubes. You can also just gently squeeze the oil out of it into kitchen paper etc without washing it.

+10