Foam Air Filter Oil

[charliec]

Hello all,

I have a general question regarding foam air filters.  Most if not all XL family saws come with a foam air filter but if I recall correctly, when purchased new the foam filter was dry ( i.e. no oil in it) nor did the user manual suggest adding a little oil to the filter to better trap small particles.  However, dirt bikes, lawn mowers ( depending on the brand) and even Stihl (i.e dirty word) have documentation stating foam filter oil is recommended to trap small particles in the foam air filter.  Did Homelite ever recommend foam air filter oil?  Do any of you use  foam air filter oil like Bel-Ray, PJ-1, Lucas, etc.   
I know for a fact that small wood chip/dust particles do get trapped in the filter but over time they rattle through all the holes and end up in the carb....cylinder.  I know these little particles cause the fuel reeds to get that shot-bead/sandblasted look around the outside perimeter on the fuel reeds where the edge of the reed makes contact with the hard plastic fuel manifold ( e.g., Part#:69373).  
I am thinking about buying the Lucas foam air filter oil(see link below to amazon) due to the price (i.e., cheaper than most of the other brand names).  However, I have one last thought, since this stuff is supposedly fairly sticky...... what using a small amount of bar oil verses buying a separate product just for the foam air filter..... any thoughts/comments about foam air filter oil in general or about using bar oil would be appreciated.

Lucas Foam Air Filter oil link:  www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A23AP0K/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=A3NPETRNJ3Z014&psc=1 

Charlie

P.S., If curious, do a search on You-tube on foam air filter oil like Bel-ray or PJ-1.  I know a few Stihl shops/dealerships have videos out there on this topic ( i.e., recommending the use of  oil in the chainsaw's foam air filter).

[blythkd]

It wasn't recommended by Homelite, to my knowledge. However, I certainly don't see how it could hurt anything. I wouldn't make it hard though, just use motor oil like most of us have done forever on lawnmower engines and the like.

I can tell you for sure though, it's probably not a big deal unless you operate a saw in severe conditions for some reason.

I've seen many XL's and Super 2's operated for a very long time with dry filters and no apparent loss in performance. A dry filter will stop sawdust and that's mostly all a typical chainsaw ever sees as far as dirty air goes.

[charliec]

I appreciate the response. The more I think about it... I will be adding oil to the filter in order to increase the "crap" collection therefore reduce the amount of "crap" that makes its way into the cylinder. For those that don't think it makes a difference.... I suggest the following, take your used/semi-dirty foam filter and shake it above a black piece of cloth and look at the "dandruff" that comes out the bottom. Just hold the filter in the same orientation that it would be in the filter cage/tray and shake and tap it with the inside of your hand to approximate the movement/vibration the filter would undergo during saw use. I was amazed at the amount of small particles dropping through the holes in the filter. I did this test on the black sweat pants I was wearing and I did not count/include the crap that fell off the sides/top. Only the stuff directly under the filter Think of that old-school boardwalk game where a ball drops through 10 layers of wood pegs to makes it to the bottom where you could win different prizes depending on where the ball ended up at the bottom (i.e., same logic). I am not saying it will stop everything but if it stops say 30%+.... why not do it! Heck, if you believe Bel-Ray and other Foam filter oil manufacturers, using their product even increases air flow. If I end up buying the Lucas Foam oil filter oil I figure it will cost me about 0.50 per application.... maybe once or twice a year (i.e. cheap insurance... my opinion). Only time will tell.