Clean and Reuse your Cabin air filter - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

stevesnj · 06-13-2016, 12:10 PM

So just to experiment I tried cleaning the OEM filter and it worked good. The filter element is a light cotton for maximum airflow and mine had some bugs, pollen and other debris. Heavily soiled filters may need to be replaced. Anyway all I did was use a wheel brush don't use compressed air! and gently ran it in the grooves,next time i'll use a less harsh brush, anyway all you need is a bucket with a little simple green or car wash soap and gently grip the pleats and gently dip the filter in and out of the water until the filter looks translucent white. Then repeat the dipping in clear water to rinse it, don't use a hose. I was able to gently squeeze the filter to remove the bulk of the water and let it air dry for a few hours. Reinstalled and it's holding together. If it works for you I dunno but this worked for me.

* NOTE: the pic just shows the rinse in the bucket not the cleaning itself.

mulekr1 · 06-13-2016, 02:33 PM

Nice tutorial, might do this is Subaru parts werent so damn cheap lol
Plus a new filter feels light

Curtski96 · 06-13-2016, 08:21 PM

Might have a go at this when I get home, thanks man good idea!

zc06_kisstherain · 06-22-2016, 01:59 PM

nice DIY. i just get parts less than $15 and replace then go

stevesnj · 06-24-2016, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

nice DIY. i just get parts less than $15 and replace then go

Yeh my price of $0 was more appealing. :P

FRSBRZGT86FAN · 06-24-2016, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Yeh my price of $0 was more appealing. :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

nice DIY. i just get parts less than $15 and replace then go

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtski96

Might have a go at this when I get home, thanks man good idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulekr1

Nice tutorial, might do this is Subaru parts werent so damn cheap lol
Plus a new filter feels light

This is honestly a great solution for maybe 3-4 times but it should honestly replaced after (2-3 years) of doing this. Our filters are carbon/charcoal activated and you lose some that effectiveness by washing them out.

Packofcrows · 06-24-2016, 04:21 AM

Doing this at least twice before replacing it.

SpectreRT · 06-24-2016, 09:52 AM

... Or you can just buy a new one for ~$6.

Summerwolf · 06-24-2016, 10:50 AM

Do you also wash / re-use your stock air filter element?

Curtski96 · 06-24-2016, 11:58 AM

Probably can't get tinder $6 up here!

stevesnj · 06-24-2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

Doing this at least twice before replacing it.

Yeh I'll just do it twice

stevesnj · 06-24-2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Do you also wash / re-use your stock air filter element?

I don't have a stock air filter, and I do clean and reuse the one I have yes

Summerwolf · 06-24-2016, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevesnj

I don't have a stock air filter, and I do clean and reuse the one I have yes

I think you missed the point.

stevesnj · 06-25-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I think you missed the point.

Sarcasm?

06-13-2016, 12:10 PM	#1
stevesnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2016 FR-S Oceanic Blue Location: Southern NJ Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 2,158 Thanked 1,601 Times in 923 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Clean and Reuse your Cabin air filter So just to experiment I tried cleaning the OEM filter and it worked good. The filter element is a light cotton for maximum airflow and mine had some bugs, pollen and other debris. Heavily soiled filters may need to be replaced. Anyway all I did was use a wheel brush don't use compressed air! and gently ran it in the grooves,next time i'll use a less harsh brush, anyway all you need is a bucket with a little simple green or car wash soap and gently grip the pleats and gently dip the filter in and out of the water until the filter looks translucent white. Then repeat the dipping in clear water to rinse it, don't use a hose. I was able to gently squeeze the filter to remove the bulk of the water and let it air dry for a few hours. Reinstalled and it's holding together. If it works for you I dunno but this worked for me. * NOTE: the pic just shows the rinse in the bucket not the cleaning itself. Attached Images __________________ My 2016 Build thread TRD Exhaust with custom quad tips, TRD Lowering Springs,TRD Quick shifter,LED;DRL, Projectors, and turn signals. Re-badge, 86 Nanny, WinmaxW2 Pads, K&N Drop In, Antenna delete

06-24-2016, 04:21 AM	#7
Packofcrows hey you, yeah you <3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2014 37J FR-S Location: Monterey County, CA Posts: 2,715 Thanks: 905 Thanked 1,259 Times in 809 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Doing this at least twice before replacing it. __________________ Got my TRD wheels and TRD louvers. Thanks!!!

06-24-2016, 09:52 AM	#8
SpectreRT Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: usa Posts: 760 Thanks: 164 Thanked 319 Times in 210 Posts Mentioned: 17 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	... Or you can just buy a new one for ~$6. Attached Images

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06-13-2016, 02:33 PM	#2
mulekr1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Drives: 15' Limited BRZ Location: New York Posts: 161 Thanks: 23 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Nice tutorial, might do this is Subaru parts werent so damn cheap lol Plus a new filter feels light

06-24-2016, 10:50 AM	#9
Summerwolf Panda Trueno Join Date: Jan 2015 Drives: No twin now. Location: North Indiana Posts: 3,349 Thanks: 2,113 Thanked 2,409 Times in 1,332 Posts Mentioned: 17 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Do you also wash / re-use your stock air filter element?

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