Cleaning a K&N

[MustangMulch]

Ok I did a search but found nothing. I have one of those big red K&N filters hooked up to my C&L 76mm. Looking at the filter the other day, I noticed it's extremely dirty. I know this robs HP and kills gas mileage, so I would like to clean it. If I take it off and spray it down with an air compressor, will this clean it up good? Or do I need to soak it in something overnight?

What's the best way to clean a K&N?

 

[stang976]

you have to go buy the K&N kit for the best results it works awesome IMO. it is 2 spray bottles: 1 is the cleaner, and the second is a spray oil that you apply once clean. directions are very straight forward and the results are awesome. try it out

 

[MustangMulch]

Hmm.. sounds good. How much is the kit and where can you get it? Kragen? Pep boys?

 

[stang976]

yea i bought it at a local autoparts store. i dont remember how much it is but you can use it more than once so its worth it. good luck

 

[DJTR]

The kit is very worth it!!

I do know some people who take the hose to their filters then blow them out to dry them but you really have to make sure you re-oil the filter afterwards! I don't know what the hose meathod will do to the life of the filter tho.

 

[patdow1]

Don't use compressed air it damages the filter element according to K&N. The kit everyone is refering to is called the K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit. It's very easy to use. Here are the instructions incase you find a off brand?

1. Gently tap the filter to dislodge any large embedded dirt
2. Spray on Cleaner
3. Rinse off filter with low pressure water (From the inside out)
4. Spray K&N air filter oil then wait till it dries (Usually dries in about 10 min)
5. Reinstall.

 

[maverick0716]

Don't use compressed air it damages the filter element according to K&N. The kit everyone is refering to is called the K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit. It's very easy to use. Here are the instructions incase you find a off brand?

1. Gently tap the filter to dislodge any large embedded dirt
2. Spray on Cleaner
3. Rinse off filter with low pressure water (From the inside out)
4. Spray K&N air filter oil then wait till it dries (Usually dries in about 10 min)
5. Reinstall.

You forgot to mention to let the filter dry completely after you clean it

 

[MustangMulch]

Well I went out and picked up this kit. I followed the directions, and sprayed the cleaner on very liberally, rinsed the filter off, and applied the oil but it still doesnt look that clean. Are you supposed to see a big difference in the way it looks?

 

[Quick5pnt0]

Never use compressed air or presurized water (garden hose) to clean your K&N. It will destroy the cotton gauze, and create holes that will allow dirt to enter the engine.
You also NEED to oil the filter afterwards because that is what is doing the actual filtering of the the smaller particles of dirt.

Also don't spray on too much (just enough to cover it) oil on or it will attract dirt to the filter and will cover you MAF wire will crud.

 

[Daggar]

If you didn't notice a big change from before to after then it probably wasn't as dirty as you thought it was. Wanted to add another tip for all you K&N filter folks that workd great for me. Once you've cleaned the filter sit the thing outside attatched to the sucking side of a shop vac (use news paper to make the seal around the tube). Only take about 30 minutes for the element to completely dry.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

I think they go for something like $12-20

It definately works however. The cleaner can really make it white again, then when you oil it it turns red again. Never use anything else but their stuff to service your K&N.

 

[Ray III]

I got a used 5.0 airbox with a K&N and cleaned it the other day... basically follow the directions to a T except a couple things

first off when they tell you to tap out the loose dirt, they really mean to WHACK the **** out of the thing or some of the big crap won't come out. With dirty side down smack it on a table or something.

When you get around to rinsing it. You don't just splash water on the thing and call it good. The water is what carries all the dirt out and you need to very slowly run the hose down about 3 pleats at a time, go over it twice or three times and watch the color of the water coming out. When it is crystal clear the filter is clean. Run no less than 10 gallons of water through the filter.

like it says on the box, directions, bottle, and the air filter itself, NO compressed air.

When I got done my cotton element was a drab grey color. Just old and stained I guess. As long as it does its job of holding the oil it's fine, the oil is what filters the air.

 

[patdow1]

You forgot to mention to let the filter dry completely after you clean it

4. Spray K&N air filter oil then wait till it dries (Usually dries in about 10 min)
5. Reinstall.
I'm not trying to be a smart ass but it explains exactly what you said in steps 4 & 5. I would'nt intentionallly try to steer anyone wrong, although depending where you live it could take a little longer to dry depending on the humidity in your area. I put my filter out in the sun here in San Diego CA and dries in about 10-15 min

 

[blk92stangg]

Also, since no one mentioned it, KN actually states that the cleaner works more efficiently when dirty, I forget how many miles between cleanings, but certainly not at the first sign of it being dirty. That being said, I also clean the damned thing when it starts to lose the red color from oil.

 

[super302]

I just tap my filter on the ground...works fine, and its free

 

[javamac10]

k and n says clean and recharge every 50k miles