paulfm5.0

what is the best way to clean a K&N air filter without the K&N cleaning kit, i have degreaser, would that work?

GreyStang

You need the cleaning kit because it also includes the oil that you have to reapply to the filter after it's been cleaned. You CAN'T run the filter without this oil!

paulfm5.0

i was just reading up on it on the K&N site and it said something about the oils that you spray on and are supposed to stay saturated in the cotton in the filter, so it sounds like the oils are a must, i will wait on cleaning it until i can get my hands on a kit, sounds good, thanks

antiv6

goto advanced auto or some car store and get the cleaning kit. or get a never oil filter http://rpmoutlet.com/knnall.htm

Chopper

If you want to save a little money you can clean the filter with regular dish soap but you can't get away from re-oiling it.Use K&N oil and just enough is enough,don't overoil.

dan

its actually the oil in the filter that catches the dirt. the filter just holds the oil. thats what i have been told. oil is a must.

03YellowPony

The recharge kit is like $10.00,,,don't go cheapo..get the kit.

StickShifty

"1. tap the element to dislodge any loose dirt, then gently brush with a soft bristle brush. 2a. spray K&N filter cleaner onto the filter media and let soak for 10 minutes. 2b large filters can be soaked in a shallow pan of filter cleaner. then remove immediately and let soak for 10 minutes. 3. rinse off the cotton filter media with low pressure tap water. rinsing from the clean side to the dirty side. 4. after rinsing shake all excess water off and let dry naturally. THE USE OF OTHER CLEANING OR DRYING METHODS WILL DAMAGE THE FILTER AND VOID THE FILTER WARRANTY. 5 after filter is completely dry, spray oil along each pleat, once only, holding nozzle 3" away from media. remove excess oil before installation."


summary is from cleaning instructions that came with my filter.

Deannostang

Recharger kit only. Don't screw with the chemistry of the filter. Also, and a BIG also, DO NOT over saturate your filter when reoiling after cleaning. Too much oil can cause the excess to pass through your MAF and not only screw it up but your upper oxygen sensors as well. This is a documented case that all Ford mechanics have seen on their regular computer updates. When taking in Mustangs on trade, many dealers will immediately yank the K&N filter out of the car to avoid any possible contamination from unknown maintenance. Less is more when it comes to oiling the filter. All you need to see is an even reddish color throughout. You let the filter sit for awhile before reinstalling to allow the oil to fully absorb into the cotton mesh. If anything is "running" at all, wipe excess off completely.