Allen Engineering Corporation MSP470A, Manual

Page: 43 / 120

053257 - 01/2014
SECTION 3
SERVICE
Page 3-3
Pre-Cleaner Maintenance Procedure
This machine is equipped with a large capacity, dual element air fi lter.
When should you change an air fi lter? Many people believe that if a fi lter looks dirty it is no longer
working and should be changed. As stated above, fi lters need dirt to work properly. The key is knowing
when the fi lter is so dirty that to much energy is required by the engine to draw in air that it no longer
functions at it’s designed performance level.
Should you remove a fi lter to examine it? NO, never remove a fi lter until you are sure it needs to be
replaced. Most dust and dirt that enters your engine comes from over servicing the air fi lter. When an
air fi lter is removed, it’s seal is broken and dust and dirt that is in the air fi lter canister, now has a clear
path into your engine.
Use a Dust Load Indicator (DLI) to tell you when to change the fi lter. Dust Load Indicators take the
guess work out of air fi lter changes. The DLI is a vacuum sensitive device that “pops” of and shows you
red when it is time to change fi lters. If it is not red, don’t open the fi lter and allow more dirt to enter into
the engine. If it is red, carefully remove the fi lter cover and immediately vacuum the canister to remove
loose dirt. Then slowly remove the fi lter being careful not to disturb the dirt that may have become
caked around the seal of the fi lter. Again vacuum the canister, and then wipe the sealing area with a
damp cloth to insure no dirt can get into your engine. Replace the fi lter immediately with either a new
one or one that has been properly cleaned.
How do you clean an air fi lter? NEVER use high powered air or “bang” it against something hard!
By doing so you can tear the paper or damage the sealing area and thus render the fi lter worse than
useless. Paper fi lters can be cleaned by carefully vacuuming their surface with a soft brush and thus
remove loose dust.
Air Filter Maintenance