How do I maintain my BMC air filter?

Unlike original air filters, one of the major advantages of BMC filters for motorbikes and cars is that they can be washed and regenerated.  specific cleaning products , developed by BMC, are available for your convenience. Also available as a complete kit ( kit with oil spray or 

kit with fluid oil ), these products guarantee that your filter will last as long as your motorbike or car!

Cleaning illustrated on video

A summary of the key stages not to be missed

Step 1: Cleaning the BMC air filter with the BMC special detergent

1) Remove the filter from the airbox with the engine cold, first gear engaged and the keys removed from the ignition.

2) Once the filter has been removed, gently shake the polyurethane structure against a rigid surface to remove any large impurities (grass, gravel, insects, etc.), taking care not to damage the filter element.

3) Clean all impurities from the airbox.

4) Place the filter on a container and pour the detergent onto the filter element, using about half the bottle.

5) Leave the detergent to work for 20 to 30 minutes.

6) Carefully and very gently rinse the filter on both sides with water until the filter element looks clean (we recommend using a common irrigation hose fitted with a spray gun with jet adjustment).

7) The cotton that makes up the filter element will not become perfectly white again, but it is sufficient to check, under the light, that there are no impurities or residues of dirty oil. If impurities or oil remain on the filter after washing, the operation must be repeated.

8) Leave the filter to air dry without exposing it to direct sunlight: the filter is dry when it no longer shows any traces of water or moisture.

9) Dispose of the dirty water used to wash the filter in a suitable landfill.

Step 2: Apply BMC special oil

Either using bottled oil  :

1) Make a V-shaped cut in the tip of the BMC oil bottle and insert the tip onto the bottle itself.

2) Place the tip on the first fold of the filter element: reapply oil to one side of the filter only, applying slight pressure to help the oil flow (continuous action is recommended to avoid oil deposits).

3) Once the operation is complete, wait for the oil to be completely absorbed (+- 30 minutes); you can check this by checking the evenness of the red colour on both sides of the filter element.

4) Dab the area with a clean cotton cloth to remove any excess oil that may remain on the polyurethane and the support mesh.

Either using oil spray  :

Simply apply the oil spray evenly to both sides of the filter element, +- 15 centimetres from the surface of the air filter.  Then wait for the oil to be completely absorbed (+- 30 minutes); you can check this by checking the evenness of the red colour on either side of the filter element. Finally, dab the area with a clean cotton cloth to remove any excess oil that may remain on the polyurethane and the support mesh.

Caution ...

When reapplying oil to the filter, you must first wash the filter itself using the procedure described above; also make sure that there are no impurities or dirty oil residues on the filter element.

As for the quantity of oil to use... Not too much and not too little: too much oil can be released by the filter element and damage the flow sensor; too little oil may not provide adequate protection against impurities. 

Washing frequency 

We recommend that you wash your BMC air filter approximately every 20-25,000 kilometres to remove impurities from the filter surface so that it can be used for the entire life of the vehicle on which it is installed.