How to clean a K&N air filter?

[Bill Douglas]

Hi Guys. How do you clean a K&N air filter? The local car accessories place has K&N oil.

I guess this has been posted before, I just couldn't find it.

Thanks, Bill.

[rdrr]

If I remember correctly, you use water, then let it dry and give it a coat of oil. K&N has a cleaning/re-oiling kit available. This also includes more detailed instructions.

[RoninLB]

I haven't cleaned either the carb or old CIS filters.

A heavy oiling washes it clean enough for me.

[azasadny]

I bought the cleaning kit, which includes the cleaning solution and the oil (in a spray can). I can't remember where I bought it, but I'm sure it was online, so a Google search should find it for you...

[trekkor]

I put them in a bucket of soapy water and agitate.

Then I gently rinse them with the hose on 'shower'.
I shake the excess water out and let air dry.

Spray with K&N oil and go!


KT

[dentist90]

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks Guys! It occured to me I've had the filter for about two years and haven't cleaned it once I'll give it a light soapy wash, rinse and dry, then K&N oil it.

[dentist90]

I hope these filters actually breathe and filter better than stock, as they are not that labour nor cost efficient. If you want some latenight reading, try searching for K&N on the board... many opinions.

[Bill Douglas]

I wouldn't actually buy one, but it came with the engine out of a crashed car I bought. I remmember a bit of talk about them not actually filtering out as much as they should and I expect the HP gains are nonsense. I guess I'm just using it because it's there. Thanks for the documentation on it too.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I wouldn't actually buy one, but it came with the engine out of a crashed car I bought. I remmember a bit of talk about them not actually filtering out as much as they should and I expect the HP gains are nonsense. I guess I'm just using it because it's there. Thanks for the documentation on it too.

LOL...same here. I'm really looking forward to that 9 step cleaning process. This is on my S2, where you actually have to take 1/2 the car apart to get to the filter. Oh joy.

[Miguel Antonett]

The key issue to clean the filter is to wash it and rinse it from the inside out always pushing the dirt/contaminats/solids away from it. After it dries to apply a "thin" coat of the red oil.

[dentist90]

Did you notice step #11... " service every 50,000 to 100,000 miles". Put that filter back in for another 10 years... it's not dirty yet!!

[alniki]

Remeber reading someone suggested install the K&N filter and simply leave it alone because the K&N filter actually works better when it's dirty. The trapped dust, mixed with the oil, helps capture more dust and you only wash the filter when it's heavily clogged. Probably the reason behind the 50,000-mile service interval.
I use one myself and I'm going to see if it's true.

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by RoninLB

Not looking to start an argument. This is just for watershield K&N filter guys.

K&N carb filters aok confirm

[HarryD]

Hmmm.. lemme see...

How much do you drive your car? Does it really matter if you only change the filter every two years or so? Why take a chance?

Personally, I took my K(rap) & N(oise) Filter out and put a paper filter in. The paper ones do not cost much and they remove more solids.

Per Pelican, a K&N recharge kit:

KN-99-5000 KN Filter Recharger Kit, W/cleaner and oil $12.90

vs.

Mahle Filter:
911-110-185-02-M67 Air Filter, 911 (1974-83) $28.50

Air Filter, 911 Carrera (1984-89) $12.25




Ay Yup, big savings to be had for a filter that does less....

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

One thing that doesn't seem to have been mentioned is that you should put a thin layer of grease around the rubber sealing ring of the filter, top and bottom, before reinstalling it, to seal it completely. Again, watershield people only...