Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 633
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From: Haverhill MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing
Anyone have info on cleaning these or am I better off buying a new one. I have had mine on the car for 2 1/2 years so I would say I either need to clean it or replace it. Also if replacing should I go with another kind?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (vette9898)
Yes, just clean it. That's what they are made for. However, I'm not exactly sure what cleaning agent to use. I have some from my earlier, Blackwing-type cleaner, but I think that you need to get some specific cleaner for the filter. K&N, Blackwing, etc. are made a little different and, I believe, need different cleaning solvents. You can probably just go to some of the vendor sites or call a Forum vendor and find out.
My personal feeling is that you're not going to get a better filter and they cost way too much to just toss. Good luck...I've seen advertisements on the cleaners, so I know that they're out there. :cheers:
My personal feeling is that you're not going to get a better filter and they cost way too much to just toss. Good luck...I've seen advertisements on the cleaners, so I know that they're out there. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Poway CA
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Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (vette9898)
Yes, a cleaning kit is available from Donaldson for about $15. It contains both a cleaning fluid and oil to re-oil the filter.
Make sure not to over-oil the filter after you clean it. The excess oil can muck up the MAF sensor.
Make sure not to over-oil the filter after you clean it. The excess oil can muck up the MAF sensor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 49
From: Sun Devil Country
Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (SDVette)
Yes, a cleaning kit is available from Donaldson for about $15. It contains both a cleaning fluid and oil to re-oil the filter.
Make sure not to over-oil the filter after you clean it. The excess oil can muck up the MAF sensor.
Make sure not to over-oil the filter after you clean it. The excess oil can muck up the MAF sensor.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (vette9898)
My Blackwing is a long way from needing cleaning (only have 2k on it). I bought a Blackwing cleaning kit from Xtreme (a link is listed on our site). With S&H it cost about $20. Since my C5 is a daily driver, I figure I'll clean every 20k miles--which will likely mean once every 18 months or so.
As I understand, you should use the Blackwing cleaning kit as the filter media is synthetic vs. the cotton on the K&N. I don't know exactly why the oil/cleaner matter, but I'd go with the recommended stuff for lack of better understanding.
Karl
As I understand, you should use the Blackwing cleaning kit as the filter media is synthetic vs. the cotton on the K&N. I don't know exactly why the oil/cleaner matter, but I'd go with the recommended stuff for lack of better understanding.
Karl
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (vette9898)
Driving conditions vary, so clean it when it's dirty. Just be sure to not over oil it after you clean it. Too much oil tends to migrate to the mass air sensor and that will slow you down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 1
Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (vette9898)
You should be able to tell when it needs cleaning. There is a little pop up cleaning gage on the right side up top. I paid $15 for the Blackwing cleaning kit from Zip Products.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
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From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Cleaning Donaldson Blackwing (jedicowboy)
I think most agree that the pop-up doesn't work well if it all. Will the oil on the MAS just "slow you down" or throw some type of error. I mean, it would noticable, not a slight decrease in perfromance, no?
