Harbor Freight Predator 9500w air filter maintenance how-to

[@carlneb8619]

I just purchased a 9500 in 2024 and saw your video for the first time. Apparently, they saw your video too! The new 9500 was reengineered so that all you need is to remove the same side panel and pop two plastic clips on the air filter cover. Easy peasy!

[@JayMaxWrench]

I am glad I could help! Thanks for the comment

[@goinginsane37098]

Whew man. I saw the other video first about doing it without removing all that and - yeah not happening. This video is exactly what I needed as I also need to pull my carb. Think I let mine sit up for too long.

[@nshrestha5673]

How often do we need to change the air filter predator 9500?

[@ceebee4334]

You do not have to do any of that to remove the air filter. You have to remove the bolt holding the electrical module that is directly to the right of the filter housing and move it up out of the way. Then release the top clip but do not remove the bottom clip. The right side panel of the filter housing will now be able to be pulled away just enough to reach in and pull out the foam filter and put it back after. The filter sits in the upper part of the metal housing which is why it is easy to remove this way. Then just reset the top clip after you finish putting the filter back. Bolt the module back in place. Gavin’s Garage has a video doing this.

[@scottstevens5481]

Thank you for that!!! I’ll look up Gavin’s video

[@derekrossi5907]

Cool, Thanks....Whats the part number on the air filter. Can't seem to find one.

[@Jsyetto]

I already know 😂what I am not going to do!! It’s a lot for a filter

[@Texas_DIY]

If the foam part of the filter element pulls right out, why on earth are you removing the whole plastic assembly that holds it in place?

[@jeffreydotson1272]

Thanks! That is absolutely crazy! I was about ready to go buy one of these tomorrow, until I saw this. Now, I'm back to square one...you are one patient dude.

[@GalloPazzesco]

Thanks .... wow, insane. I already own a 9500 so I'm going-to have-to do this and I love the generator but dang, what were they thinking when they designed these things. In the meantime I am now subscribed, commented, upvoted, liked, shared, saved ..... may the algorithm gods smile favorably upon your channel friend.

[@rustyquad513]

Today is 4/12/23 and this video is a yer old. Just bought the 9500 a week ago and looking at this now…in mine there is no module on the right side or anything for that matter that would make it hard to service the filter. The module in mine was placed somewhere else I suppose…lucky me….

[@charleshenry8075]

Thank you - very detailed and informative...thanks for loosening the bolts beforehand!

[@tomm3338]

Thanks for showing this. I was looking at buying this generator but I’m now looking at the more open model

[@JayMaxWrench]

Yeah if you don’t mind the extra noise 8750 will be easier to maintain

[@robertt9342]

Still an inverter?

[@robertt9342]

I wonder if people ever modified the air intakes on these to make it simpler.

[@longrange1114]

You can just undo the top clip and pull the foam out

[@realblakrawb]

Pinch and pull the foam. Don't pull the whole baffle out of the airbox!

[@colorado_gaffer]

...And you need to do this every 50 hours or it voids the warranty. Haha nice.

[@retgunz]

Great job Jay! I LOVE my 9500, it's a great generator, I'd still do it all again, but that's some pretty poor engineering. Thanks man.

[@JayMaxWrench]

Thank you! As a automotive tech I see stuff like this all the time and wonder what the engineers where thinking….

[@angeloguzman1426]

Effective but inefficient. No way this is what Harbor Freight meant for us to do. I just brought the 9500 a few days ago and I can see the cumbersomeness, but there has to be a better way. Also, once you had access to the foam filter, why remove the frame holding the foam? I do appreciate your efforts in making the video, but maybe you can consider updating it with some new suggestions for us. Thanks.

[@angeloguzman1426]

Ok I get it! You were just kidding, making a parody of an 9500 air filter change. In that case, great video.

[@Hondacber]

You don't need to remove the 6 bolts all you need to do is pull the air filter out. This guy took the front off the air box witch is NOT necessary

[@andrewkenseth4814]

What kind of drill is that?

[@JayMaxWrench]

It’s a Makita 12v lithium impact driver with a 3/8 drive adapter for sockets.

[@tdm8817]

That’s insane for just air filter access. The foam filters like that will pass fine dust unless there oiled, I use dirt bike air filter oil on my foam filters, comes in a spray can and is very tacky. Thanks for posting the video👍

[@shanwar9844]

I want to love it but what a nightmare for basic maintenance.

[@JayMaxWrench]

Yeah the design with the air-filter was definitely overlooked….. but it’s a item that really doesn’t need maintenance very often so I guess it’s ok for me. I’ll be 100% honest with you I don’t remember the last time I checked or cleaned the air filter on my lawn mower and it’s over 6 years old haha. I won’t be losing too much sleep over it. : )

[@rexglan237]

@@JayMaxWrench Page 16 of the Predator 9500W User Manual says to check the air filter "Before Each Use." Harbor Freight must re-design the filter access to even implement the User Manual's "Air Filter Element Maintenance" instructions on page 18.

[@smiller225]

Unless you are using this generator in a very dusty environment once every few years should be fine

[@ibrockin4u]

Great, I just bought this machine 2 days ago, It will never see dirt or dust but yikes what were they thinking ? Did you flip the machine on its side to see if there is a access panel or consider making one ? Thank you for sharing .

[@JayMaxWrench]

I did and it doesn’t have access. I did consider modifying the air box lid but left it alone since it still has warranty. Maybe in the future I will re-visit it.

[@ryanolson2976]

Gavin's Garage youtube channel has a good video on how to do this. Takes 10 minutes. I also bought this 9500 model. Did you buy the extended warranty?

[@johnnyhotrod]

They could have put a side access cover on that you could just slide the filter out. I just bought this,really crappy design. Thank God I won’t have to do it often

[@deanbennett298]

supposed to do it every 50 hrs of use. Rediculous!

[@MilesCone]

This is insane!! Thank you for showing how to clean air filter .. HORRIBLE DESIGN. To have to disassemble half of the generator to clean the air filter is stupid!! Don’t buy Harbor Freight generator!!

[@rexglan237]

Do you really need to remove the left side panel, wheels, wheel break and the left side panel frame cover? Since you don't have to remove the 6 screws securing the air filter housing, why didn't you just remove the front panel cover and the inverter assembly to remove the air filter cover retainer clips to service the air filter? The air filter cover should come out the front.

[@JayMaxWrench]

Unfortunately yes there’s really no other way around it trust me I tried.

[@rexglan237]

@@JayMaxWrench After removing the side panel to insert a 1/4" socket to remove the bolt holding the resistor as you did at 6:06, you can take the cover out the front as demonstrated in youtube video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYnOaKl4hritjtE at 14:15 where the fellow says and shows that it is easier to insert the filter cover from the front, not the side.

[@JayMaxWrench]

The reason I mention the left side cover is to prevent from damaging the outer cover like it happened to me. The reason the air filter cover won’t come off without removal of the side cover is because there is a wheel well for the wheel on the side of the air filter lid that sits 1/2” away from the lid and it’s just not enough space to remove the lid. Rewatch my video I point that out.

[@rexglan237]

@@JayMaxWrench OK Thanks. I'll find out what you're talking about when I modify my 9500s to run on natural gas.

[@Donny_Juanny]

What a ridiculous bad design! I was going to purchase this model because of the features and price, but went with two 3500's in parallel instead. So glad I did after seeing this.

[@bibleredpill]

The single absolute worst maintenance design ever.

[@zapman2100]

I'm not sure why your removing the filter holder all you have to do is take out the foam element and clean it.

[@digitalman269]

Where is your video showing us how to do this?

[@RC-fu6hg]

I don’t think harbor freight makes that. I’d say they buy it from someone else and stamp their name on it. That’s called branding.

[@YukonHawk1]

What a MAJOR PITA!!!!What a shitty design. Just knowing that I would not buy that generator. More power to ya! Pun intended :-)

[@detailzautodetailing643]

Just remove box from right side of filter , use a flat head driver , and pull out with tweezers. 5 minute job

[@rockystelone21]

And folks you are able now to get to the tumor.

[@Hondacber]

Because of this design I charge $120 just to clean the air filter on this model. Thank You Harbor Freight for designing this machine this way. This is a nice MONEY MAKER for service techs like me $$$

[@MrMnmn911]

With great power comes great responsibility.

[@robertt9342]

According to the OP, abuse of that power is also likely.

[@stevmstng5165]

What a horrible design

[@robertburnett1970]

Crazy $

[@DmChef]

You have to be kidding me. What a joke

[@DmChef]

What a pain in the ass this was. I can't believe anyone would build something this way. I would not have bought this if I new it was going to be this much of a pain in the ass