Cleaning KN air filter

[TrdTacoma84]

Well ive had my KN intake for 6 months. And im planning on cleaning the air filter. What do you guys recommend on cleaning it, any tips? I read alot about to much OIL can mess up the MAF. I just want to be careful. (how often should the air filter be cleaned? Some people say that the dirtier it is the better. How is that possible. Anywhoo hope someone can help.)

Or should i just buy one of those AFE filters. Thanks

[Maxshred]

I highly recommend getting the K&N air filter cleaner. It is in a spray bottle. It also comes in a kit with the spray oil.

1. Spray both sides of air filter with cleaner and let it sit for about 5 minutes or so to soak in and eat the oil up.

2. Rinse the filter with luke warm water until it is clean.

3. Let the filter air dry overnight. Do not use forced air drying.

4. Spray the filter with filter oil. Spray it on both sides. Do not over spray, just cover the pad. A second coat is sometimes needed, but not always.

5. After spraying, let the filter sit for about 10 minutes and install back into intake.


I clean mine every time i change my oil (5000 miles.) Your air filter can never be too clean.

~Dano

on edit: edited for content

[Rotorwrench]

It's a good idea to let the oil wick into the filter media overnight. You can get a filter cleaning kit with cleaner and oil at most parts stores that sell K&N. Get a kit and follow the instructions. But unless you've been driving in some dusty conditions, you probably don't need to clean it yet.

http://www.knfilters.com/clningins.htm

[cj99si]

Just spray with any GP cleaner/degreaser then spray it with water in the direction of airflow. then dry and oil as others have said.

[Maxshred]

Originally Posted by cj99si

Just spray with any GP cleaner/degreaser then spray it with water in the direction of airflow. then dry and oil as others have said.

You want to spray it opposite the direction of airflow. If you spray with the direction of airflow, you are just going to push the dirt into the filter.

~Dano

[cj99si]

Originally Posted by Maxshred

You want to spray it opposite the direction of airflow. If you spray with the direction of airflow, you are just going to push the dirt into the filter.

~Dano

yes what he said, and what I was trying but couldnt.........

[Bluzman]

Spend 40 bucks and get a AFE dryflow and save yourself some headaches!!!

[TcmaBoy]

I would reccomend getting rid of the K&N before your MAF and motor pay the price. Hold that thing up to the litght. All those bright spots are holes in the filter. That means dirt is getting in. Dirt is bad. If you must keep it then let it sit overnight then wipe it down with paper towels to remove as much excess oil as possible.

[TrdTacoma84]

Sweet thankx Guys good write up DANO. When i purchased the kn intake kit it came with the cleaners. So let me get this straight.
Spray filter with cleaner, let it sit for while. Rinse away from airflow. Let it air dry over night. Then oil it up and let it sit for 5mins? Wouldnt the oil be fresh after 5mins.

I do drive thru a dusty road everyday for work. But this will be my frist time cleaning it after 6months. So i just want to do it right. But i might just purchase the AFE filter. Saves me the toruble of oiling it and worring about my MAF messing up. How do you guys that have the afe filter clean it?

[R0dzilla7]

According to the K&N website you shouldn't need to clean your filter for the first 30k miles unless you live in very dusty conditions. I plan on cleaning mine tomorrow with the K&N cleaning kit.