Cooper Air Filters

[tahoe healey]

I have been away from this forum for a couple of years due to the passing of my navigator/wife.
My first question is, can I use a spray can of lubricant (I like Liquid Wrench lubricating spray) to spray into the Cooper air cleaner instead of dis-assembling them on my BJ8 which is a significant task in order to oil them?
The second question is rather stupid and obvious. Twenty years ago my Healey came to me with cloth backed thin foam covering each Cooper filter. I took them off assuming they inhibited air flow. I will be traveling to an area which is know for its wind and dust storms and would like to protect the engine from particles. Any thoughts?
TH

 

[NutmegCT]

First of all, we're very sorry about your loss. I'd bet she navigated you through many difficult times, not just on the road. That's what a true partner is.

I'm not an AH guy, but most oil-based air cleaners need fresh oil on a regular basis. The oil filters the air and holds contaminants before the air enters the engine. A quick spray of a lubricant won't do anything to put fresh clean oil in the cleaner.

Just my two cents.
Tom M.

 

[gonzo]

Welcome back TH! We all missed you. About the cooper "air cleaners" oiling, I use K&N Air Filter Oil Spray. It's tacky, easy to use and less messy than soaking in 30W engine oil. Gonzo

 

[tahoe healey]

Thanks, Gonzo. Are you by any chance going to Cathedral City in May?

 

[John Turney]

The foam will filter out smaller grit than the metal mesh.

While a spray-on oil will add new oil to the filter, it does nothing to remove the dirt collected by the old oil, and the solvent in the spray might even wash the dirt to the inside of the filter where you don't want it.

 

[NutmegCT]

John -

 

[tahoe healey]

John, my concern is reducing the air flow. That is why I took them off 20+ years ago. I wounder if I can open the air flow valve.

 

[John Turney]

John, my concern is reducing the air flow. That is why I took them off 20+ years ago. I wounder if I can open the air flow valve.

If you still have them, warm up the car, put them on and see if the idle speed slows down. If not, they have little effect on air flow. If they do slow it down, open the idle speed screws to compensate.