Cleaning LHM filters with detergent

Post by **Thunderbird** » 29 Apr 2005, 16:19

Why is it always recomended petrol to clean the LHM filters?
Can't I just use detergent for washing dishes?

Mosser · Post by **Mosser** » 29 Apr 2005, 17:01

When i had my xm, i used to wash them in the dishwasher when the wife wasnt watching, they come up like new then

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 29 Apr 2005, 17:17

Can't see a problem using detergent so long as you make 100% sure you dry all the water and get all the residue off them before you put them back in as well as making sure you clean and dry the tank thoroughly so there's no surface rust to grind out the internals, but as the stuff just falls off with petrol and it evaporates and leaves no residue, why would you want all that drama just to be different??
I have heard of people accidentally getting coolant into the LHM system and they tell me it's not a pretty sight.[V]
Alan S[;)]

Post by **Thunderbird** » 29 Apr 2005, 17:47

Alan it's not practical to me to use petrol.
I would have to:
- Buy a recipient to carry the petrol, at the supermaket.
- Buy the petrol (at a petrol station)
- Find an ecological way of geting rid of the used petrol. Go to a garage?
Much more time, money, and trouble, than to wash the filters with the dishes.

PeterMann · Post by **PeterMann** » 29 Apr 2005, 19:08

I avoid handling petrol and breathing fumes, because the unleaded stuff has so many toxic volatiles in it. In Asutralia, you can buy a litre of Shellite (which is petroleum spirit without the noxious additives) in grocery supermarkets for about A$3.oo. This is a lighter fraction than white spirit, and cleans as well or better than petrol, and is merely highly flammable. Also available from Mobil in larger quantities as B1 solvent. Very useful for cleaning surfaces before applying adhesives, and can be used to dilute enamel paint for spray painting.

paranoid · Post by **paranoid** » 29 Apr 2005, 20:18

I use brake cleaner in a spray, the blast gets rid of any stubborn bits stuck in the mesh.

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 29 Apr 2005, 20:40

The only risk is contamination there may be a microscopic film of detergent left on the filter if this was the recommended method and some one wrote the hydraulic system off from not spending enough time cleaning and drying the filter then citroen/haynes would get sued for damages. Using petrol is good because the residue completely evaporates. dad used cellulose thinners on his filters and they looked new I would consider petrol, thinners or detergent so long as you are careful and make sure you don’t contaminate the LHM.
Andy

oilyspanner · Post by **oilyspanner** » 29 Apr 2005, 23:04

I use aerosol brake cleaner too, it evaporates totally.
Stewart

Rostami · Post by **Rostami** » 29 Apr 2005, 23:08

Thunderbird,
Maybe I am being "conas" (overdoing it) but what abour the water quality with which you will wash the filters? if you are in Lisbon calcium is abundant. Just my two cents! I would consider destilled, de-mineralized water