Vararam Filter

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Dec 25, 2007 | 06:13 PM

goatts

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 3,860

Likes: 5

From: Tampa FL

Vararam Filter

I know the Vararam filter is reusable. But how often should it be replaced. This is the first time I've had a reusable filter. I've always used paper filters.

Thanks

Dec 25, 2007 | 06:40 PM

HawaiiC6

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 4,269

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From: Mililani HI

Check every 10K miles and clean as necessary.

Dec 25, 2007 | 07:16 PM

Finster07

Pro

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 663

Likes: 0

From: Arvada CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawaiiC6

Check every 10K miles and clean as necessary.

Did you really mean to say 10,000 miles? I can only assume you meant 1000 miles. Many of us have found the Vararam filter and gaskets need to be checked fairly often. The gaskets tend to slide around and I know I have used RTV on mine to keep them in place. Vararam also recommends either an RTV product or a gel superglue for a more permanent solution. They have gone to a wider gaskets since I purchased mine. Also, since the scoop is up front, I have found a lot of sand and dirt in my filter and unit. I pull the entire unit out and check it every 1500 miles until I can trust the gaskets. If I don't clean the filter then, I will clean it at 3000 miles. I like the principle of the Vararam a lot, BUT this is not an 'install it and forget it' piece of equipment.

Your question was how often do you replace the filter. I was not aware the filter had to be replaced. I have cleaned my filter 3 times (6000 miles on the car) in mild soapy water. I use wd-40 to oil it. I see no wear on the filter whatsoever. I guess if the integrity of the filter fails, I would replace it.

Dec 25, 2007 | 07:23 PM

goatts

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 3,860

Likes: 5

From: Tampa FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finster07

Your question was how often do you replace the filter. I was not aware the filter had to be replaced.

You might be right. But I would think that no matter how well you clean it that some grime/grease/crud will remain and gradually build up in the filbers of the filter. I've seen this on reusable filters.

Dec 25, 2007 | 07:41 PM

Red Sleeper

Drifting

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,563

Likes: 334

From: Indianapolis Indiana

I use a gauze reusable filter on my '92's ram air unit. It is a K&N filter. I have had it for about 38000 miles and only cleaned it once. For some reason it didn't get very dirty. When I bought it I also bought the cleaning and re-oiling kit. The cleaning agent removed all the dirt and red color. The filter was white when it was clean. I then dried it and applied the new oil which was red.

Some of these reusable filters are green but I suspect you rejuvenate them the same way. WD-40 might work ok but personally I would use the recommended oil for proper cleaning.

These filters are to be used over and over but if you got something stuck in it like pebbles that you couldn't shake out I would replace it. If for some reason you are picking up a lot of pebbles you might consider an inexpensive foam filter laid on top of the gauze filter to catch the pebbles.

Dec 25, 2007 | 08:30 PM

TEXASRANGER

HOOK-EM HORNS

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 3,517

Likes: 840

From: Port Aransas, Texas Tx

St. Jude Donor '08

100,000 miles is normal replacement,10,000 mile cleaning. and wd40 is the same oil. Just wash and dry really good. I put mine on the floor on a rag in front of my ref. before I go to bed and its nice and dry in the morning. If you never used your fridge, hot air from keeping your food cool blows out the bottom vents unless you have a subzero and then you have to hang them up.

Last edited by TEXASRANGER; Dec 25, 2007 at 08:41 PM.