Comptech SC air filter cleaning

[raymo19]

I've had my Comptech blower for about six months now and thought a rainy Sunday morning would be a good time to check the foam air filter to see if it needs cleaning. Now with the filter off I find I have some questions.

First, how dirty is dirty? I've never had a foam air filter on a car before. Mine doesn't look that bad but with an untrained eye I really don't know what to look for.

Second, the instructions in the Comptech installation guide read as follows:

Air Filter Maintenance
The Comptech/Uni high-flow air filter needs to be maintained to insure the flow of clean unobstructed air to the engine.
The air filter should be inspected at every oil change and cleaned and re-oiled at every-other oil change. The filter
should be cleaned and oiled with specific filter cleaner and oil (Comptech part #620-002 & 620-003) to insure good performance
and long filter life.
• Cleaning – Spray generous amounts of filter cleaner over all exposed surfaces of the filter and let it soak for approximately
3 minutes. Rinse out the filter element in warm water until clean. A second application of cleaner may be
applied if filter is still dirty. When the filter foam is dry completely, re-oil filter as noted below. Note: DO NOT use any
type of petroleum based cleaners or solvents to clean the Comptech filter. This will destroy the filter.
• Oiling – It is necessary to treat the filter with oil for it to perform properly. Thoroughly spray all exposed surfaces of
the filter with oil and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes and repeat spraying. Much of the oil will soak in quickly, leaving an
even penetration of sticky air filter oil on each foam strand. This coating traps dirt without restricting airflow.

I've got the oil on hand but not the cleaner. Is there something special about the cleaner or can I simply mix up a detergent and water solution to clean it since I'm going to be rinsing it in water anyway?

Third, anyone know the OEM and a part number for this filter? I'm thinking the filter will need to be replaced eventually and with Comptech out of business I can't call them to find out.

Last, anyone replaced this filter with an alternative? What would be a recommended replacement?

Dave, I know you have a Vortech not a Comptech but I've found this is the best place to get questions answered.

Thanks.

[raymo19]

First, how dirty is dirty? I've never had a foam air filter on a car before. Mine doesn't look that bad but with an untrained eye I really don't know what to look for.

Second, I've got the oil on hand but not the cleaner. Is there something special about the cleaner or can I simply mix up a detergent and water solution to clean it since I'm going to be rinsing it in water anyway?

Third, anyone know the OEM and a part number for this filter? I'm thinking the filter will need to be replaced eventually and with Comptech out of business I can't call them to find out.

Last, anyone replaced this filter with an alternative? What would be a recommended replacement?

Dave, I know you have a Vortech not a Comptech but I've found this is the best place to get questions answered.

Thanks.

Well I was able to answer some of my questions myself and found partial answers to some of the others. Ain't the Internet wonderful?:D

1) I still don't know about this one but I bought a K&N kit and cleaned the filter per Comptech's instructions. I wouldn't recommend using your car wash bucket for rinsing as the filter oil is a real PITA to get off the bucket.:laugh:

2) According to Uni's website you can use stuff like Simple Green, dish detergent, etc. as a substitute for the filter cleaner.

3) I suspect the filter is a Uni but I can't find it on their site.

4) Anybody?

[repiv]

I've cleaned the CT air filter for a friend. We used the same cleaning kit for the Vortech, although I must admit that the spray oil for the CT is much easier to use and gives a more uniform treatment.
To tell if the filter is in need of cleaning, examine it all around. No air filter will get dirty in a uniform manner. There is always a part that remains quite clean. Use this as a reference for when the filter needs attention.
If you don't wish to get the spray cleaner from VT or CT, I suggest using baby shampoo (very gentle and neutral pH) and cool to luke warm water. Let soak, and gently squeeze multiple times till no more debris comes out. Rinse, squeeze out and air dry only. When dry, you can use the spray oil to treat. You may do more harm if you over oil it. Lightly wrap the oiled filter in layers of newpapers for a couple of hours and any excess will wick out. Then it's ready to go back into the car.
If you need to replace the filter in the future, I'm sure you can find an equivalent one from K&N. Just measure the relative dimensions and the size of the hole. Or, you can go to this type:
http://www.bmcairfilters.com/index.asp
The replacement filter doesn't have to be exactly the same dimensions or shape. It just has to be able to be clamped onto the s/c inlet tube and be able to fit inside the filter box. In fact, the later CT replacement filters were slightly larger than the first generation filters that came with the kits.

[raymo19]

Thanks Dave.

The filter was dirtier than it looked. I sprayed it with the cleaner, let it set for a while, went over it with a soft bristled nylon brush, and sprayed it with cleaner again. Then I rinsed it in warm water and it's drying now.

I'll definitely use the newspapers as over-oiling is one of my concerns.

[raymo19]

All buttoned up now. Went for a little drive and tried not to terrorize the driving public.:laugh:

According to the butt dyno she may be breathing a bit better. I'm thinking this may be a bi-annual ritual. Thanks again Dave.

[repiv]

Good to hear. And what's so bad about terrorizing the driving public, just a little? "Kids" shouldn't have the monopoly on fun. :laugh:

[raymo19]

I guess I'm lucky to live here. The road I live on used to be the state highway going from North Georgia into Chattanooga Tennessee. There were so many twists and turns (and early morning wrecks) that the state finally moved the highway about a 1/4 mile east and built it up as straight as possible.

The crossroads were left intact but they're mostly residential now. The great part is that I can roll through the residential part to get the car warmed up, sit at one of the intersections to the highway waiting for the all clear, then let it go for a couple of miles at a time.

It's almost as much fun as running the mountain roads about a 1/4 mile west.