As winter arrives, it comes with a lot of snow. And then the fun activity of snowmobiling. One of the most common things that could turn a fun activity into a nightmare is if your air filter is clogged or you don’t have one. So, how do you purchase an air filter for your snowmobile?
Well, we’ll show you how to purchase air filters and what to look out for when purchasing. Remember air filter is an important accessory in your snowmobile in that it helps to keep the air flowing smoothly, which, in turn, improves the efficiency and performance of the engine.
Table of Contents
The Function of the Snowmobile Air Filter
The air filter is the first line of defense for your engine, and the intake part of it might get dirty over time. When the air filter is dirty, it restricts the flow of air, forcing the engine to work harder, which often leads to poor acceleration and decreased snowmobile performance.
The air filter, which is usually made from some form of cotton, foam, or paper, includes folds that serve to maximize the surface area for optimal air filtration.
Snowmobile air filters are mainly designed to play two critical roles. The first role is to make sure that dust and abrasive particles from the outside do not enter the engine chambers.
The second role is to make sure that there’s a maximum air intake to the chambers.
Therefore increasing the efficiency of the combustion process (by ensuring sufficient airflow in the chambers) allows the engine to run at its full power and acceleration.
But with a dirty or faulty air filter, the engine will be forced to consume too much fuel (also known as running too rich) due to the constant loss of power.
The most crucial point of all is that if the air filter is ignored, over time, flimsy particle matter will get into the chambers, which could result in premature wear on engine components.
Consequently, more oil will be lost because the oil can now enter the chamber. Not to mention that the overall lifespan of the engine will also be shortened by this.
It turns out that the best method to know if your air filter requires replacement is to remove it and examine it. If the intake side is covered in dirt, then it should be cleaned or replaced. It’s simple preventive maintenance but it goes a long way in enhancing the lifespan of your engine.
Snowmobiles Air Filter Cleaning Process
The most crucial maintenance task when it comes to snowmobiles is to clean and oil the air filter. So how do you clean an air filter on a snowmobile? Well, read on because if it’s not done properly, your engine will have dirt in it, further compromising your snowmobile performance.
To do this, start by pulling off the seat to gain access to the air filter. When removing the filter, do it carefully so that you don’t end up spilling any dirt from the faulty air filter into the air boot or airbox.
Also, you should wear rubber gloves when servicing the air filters. Pull and remove the air filter and then examine the air boot for any debris or other particles that could have been trapped during your previous ride.
After that, spray some contact cleaner on the air boot and then use a clean rag to wipe it out.
The air filters are cleaned using a variety of chemicals. However, the best way to remove dirt and oil from the filter is to immerse it in the cleaner, regardless of which one you choose.
Some riders even use kerosene or an automotive solvent to remove the oil from the filter. Simply fill the bucket with your preferred cleaner and use it to clean the air filter. And then place the filthy filter in the bucket and soak it for a while.
After letting it sit in the solvent for a while, wash it out and give it a gentle squeeze. In case you used the automotive solvent or kerosene, you will need to clean the filter with dish soap.
Once you’re done cleaning the filter, examine it closely by looking at all of the glued seams.
Check and make sure the filters are still intact and secure enough to be reinstalled in the snowmobile. Then let it dry before oiling it. At this point, all that is left is to grease and oil the filter and you will be ready to reinstall on your snowmobile.
How to Purchase Snowmobile Air Filters
Whether you are looking to replace the stock air cleaner on your snowmobile, or simply want to go with a more heavy-duty air cleaner you’ll need to make sure you’re getting the right air filter. Snowmobiles are designed differently and use different methods to pull in the cold air.
Ability to Filter Air and Remove Particles
Snowmobilers should essentially look for a product that can combat particle pollution. Particle matter, commonly known as particle pollution is a collection of microscopic fragments of liquids and/or solids that are often found in the air.
On that note, high-efficiency particle air filtration (HEPA) is a type of air filter specifically designed to eliminate particle pollution. So, be sure to get something reliable enough to get rid of such particles.
Ability to Remove Chemicals and Odor From the Air
It’s good to note that these tools use different methods to force that air through the filter making sure that it is clean and cold. Because of this, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right filter for your own snowmobile.
You can check if the product in question contains a carbon filter or a carbon canister to see if it can remove gaseous pollutants such as chemicals and unwanted odors.
Smooth, Quiet Operation
When purchasing an air filter, try to get one that is so quiet, something so cool that you won’t even notice the machine is running.
The best way to ensure this is to get a completely insulated air filter. They are the ones that offer such silent operations. Besides, the insulation helps to reduce heat gain and loss.
Remember to Check Air Filter Dimensions
You don’t want to end up skimping on filter length flange angle. Luckily, most snowmobile air filters come with size measurements, usually located along the filter’s side.
You might come across things such as a “nominal” size, which is mostly written in large font, and the adjacent “real” size, which is written in smaller print. However, unless otherwise stated, all of the filters are listed by nominal size.
Although checking for dimensions is definitely the simplest and most obvious method to get your filter, not all filters have size specifications listed on them. In such a case, you will need to take a few manual measurements to determine the size of your filter.
How Much Do Snowmobile Air Filters Cost
The cost or price of purchasing an air filter should match the quality. It makes no sense to spend a ton of money on an air filter that is essentially the same as other common filters. Therefore, check and research the best air filter for your snowmobile before purchasing.
Where To Buy Air Filters For Your Snowmobile
It’s the time of year when the snow season is about to begin and you realize that means people will be out on the trails a lot more. Of course, it’s important that you use the right filter to ensure that you get the best performance from your snowmobile. But where can you buy such air filters? Well, check out some of our top recommendations.
K&N Air Filters
When it comes to snowboarding, K&N offers some of the best air filters and air filter accessories on the market. These universal clamp-on filters are a great option for enhanced performance if you need lots of nice clean air.
These snowmobile air filters replace the factory OEM stock filter and airbox, thanks to their universal design. Moreover, K&N produces a whole variety of different lengths, shapes, and sizes to fit just about any snowmobile.
Premium Oil Filters for Your Snowmobile
K&N also boasts a reputation for offering some of the best premium oil filters for snowmobiles. These products are created to work flawlessly with contemporary synthetic and synthetic mixed oils.
With these oil filters, higher flow rates for synthetic and synthetically blended oils are possible thanks to synthetic media incorporated in these products. There’s also the filter medium ((large uniform pleated) that offers excellent filtration and high capacity.
Another impressive thing we found about these oil filters is that they’re secured by a base plate and a heavy-duty canister, both of which have a double-rolled seal. Plus, they come pre-drilled for convenience purposes and are available with a chrome or black finish.
Other major highlights include the anti-drain back valve and pressure relief valve, as well as the pre-lubed base gasket for a simple, mess-free installation.
K&N Snow Charger Filter Wraps
Snow chargers come in handy to keep off those small dirt particles, without inhibiting your filter’s airflow. This is how you get to stop small dirt particles.
When riding on a grass track or a trail, the snow charger serves to deflect dust, grass, rocks, and twigs, especially when riding on snowless surfaces. Plus, the snow charger is easy to clean as you can just use the K&N filter cleaner. Grass track racing has never been so smooth.
In addition to that, the pre-filter comes in as a solution for all the snow that tries to settle inside the air pleats. Snow charges are polyester warps coated with silicone. And they’re water and snow-resistant. This way, melting snow won’t wet the filters; it just beads off.
The Bottom Line
The primary purpose of an air filter is to prevent particles from entering the intake system. However, it can’t last forever and will require cleaning or replacement over time.
So remember to examine the glue seams and the foam for tears while cleaning the air filter. Be sure to replace it if you realize any wear or questionable signs on these locations.
It’s always best to use a reliable air filter on your snowmobile, and conduct the essential maintenance as needed to keep your engine safe and improve performance.
Regular maintenance is vital if you want to avoid issues like the snowmobile overheating while riding or not starting failing to start. So give your sled routine maintenance and, most importantly, consider investing in a quality air filter that will shield your engine over time.
