Proper air filter cleaning method

[StangLou]

Title says it all guys. I just got my 5.0 out from its hibernation a couple of weeks ago. It was garaged for around 2 years since I bought my '03. Needless to say the air filter needs to be cleaned. It had been over a year before I bought my new once since I cleaned it. I know K&N makes the filtercharger kit for like 10 bucks I can buy, my speedshop carries it, but is there anything here I can do at home to clean it. I wont be able to get to the shop for at least a week or so. Can I just soak it in something then stick it back on, or do I have to reoil it for it to work properly. Thanks for any help in advance guys

 

[Daggar]

You have to re-oil it just to use it... period. Oil-less K&N isn't much better than no filter at all since it's the oil that traps the dirt. Buy the kit. Follow the instructions. Your car will thank you.

 

[Michael Yount]

You probably don't need to clean it as badly as you think - especially if it's just been sitting. If it's dusted up, just take a shop vac and with the brush attachment, clean the outside. If you're gonna clean it, you don't need to use the K&N cleaner, but I would use their oil. Don't clean it unless you have their oil to re-oil it. You can use Simple Green or 409, Castrol purple to clean it with. Spray the outside only - let it soak in for several minutes. Then hose it down from the backside only - so you're not forcing any dirt further into the filter in the direction of airflow. Let it dry -- don't use a hair dryer, but setting it in front of a fan is ok. Once dry then re-oil. It doesn't take much oil at all. Most folks over-oil them, and that can cause maf problems if oil gets on the hot wire.

 

[04sleeper]

Most folks over-oil them, and that can cause maf problems if oil gets on the hot wire.

Yeah, Pro-M is now telling you not to oil them at all because of this.

 

[Michael Yount]

Over reaction on Pro-M's part - they should be oiled; that's how the filter is designed to work. It only takes a very little bit to moisten the filter media.

 

[StangLou]

Guess Ill just wait until mid week and try to make my way up to the shop. They dont sell just the oil, so I might as well get the k&n cleaner and oil. I remember back when I put the filter on, the entire thing looks medium brown now so Im pretty sure it needs to be cleaned. I tried the vaccuming thing but had little success. Thanks guys

 

[Michael Yount]

Just like oil can be dark brown and still be just fine for lubricating, the filter can appear quite dirty and still filter quite well. Certainly clean it as you see fit - just didn't want you worrying that it wasn't doing it's job - it probably is.

 

[TheUser]

they have the K&N filtercharger kit at autozone.

 

[The Shape]

Over reaction on Pro-M's part - they should be oiled; that's how the filter is designed to work. It only takes a very little bit to moisten the filter media.

I have to be the worst offender . I always end up using about twice the oil that it needs. Luckily I am speed density or I would have ruined a few MAF sensors by now!

 

[HISSIN50]

I have to be the worst offender . I always end up using about twice the oil that it needs. Luckily I am speed density or I would have ruined a few MAF sensors by now!

LOL, me too. wretched excess baby!!

i am too tired to see (but still posting for some reason - so sorry if i repeat something already said) - the cotton gauze elements actually are supposed to flow a little better once a little dirty . i dont understand why, (or know if that is propoganda), but ive read it a place or two. or maybe i misconstrued the info - maybe they 'filter' better once a little dirty - that makes a lot more sense. thoughts?

 

[The Shape]

That is what it says on the K&N box. I figure it must be true. If they didn't filter better a bit dirty they would recomend cleaning it more often, which would help them sell more cleaning kits, so I figure there must be some truth in them saying it filters better when it gets a little dirty.

 

[Michael Yount]

I never understood that even though I read it. To me it's kind of like saying that if someone throws a left hook at you, then you should lean into it.

 

[StangLou]

Ehhh never heard that one before about them flowing better when dirty . Im hoping Im worried over nothing, but Ill probably do it for my sound of mind this week anyways. I need to go through the engine thoroughly anyways and make sure nothings leaking or cracking anywhere since it had been sitting for so long.

Thanks!!!

 

[HISSIN50]

I never understood that even though I read it. To me it's kind of like saying that if someone throws a left hook at you, then you should lean into it.

TS, thanks for confirming what i thought i had seen (reportedly better filtering when dirty, etc).

Michael, i figured if anyone might understand the dynamics behind why a dirty element would be better, you would. now i dont feel so stupid (im not missing some simple point or concept).
thanks to both of ya.

BTW, if you really lean into the left hook, you will shorten the stroke and amount of force behind it. LOL.
ahhh, did you have a rough weekend? J/K.

 

[retro50]

As the pores in the filter start to get dirty from trapped dirt. The pores actually become smaller. This allows the filter to work more efficient. It now traps smaller dirt particles that it didn't trap before when it was new. This is K@N's logic behind this.

 

[HISSIN50]

As the pores in the filter start to get dirty from trapped dirt. The pores actually become smaller. This allows the filter to work more efficient. It now traps smaller dirt particles that it didn't trap before when it was new. This is K@N's logic behind this.

not to beat this to death (ok, to beat this to death).
i get the idea of what you are saying - basically clogging up the filter media makes it 'filter' better. but is it supposed to flow better like this too? i would think it would be more restrictive.

 

[Michael Yount]

I'm with hissin - when I read their "efficiency" argument, I thought of flow efficiency, not filtering efficiency. Seems illogical on its face - if you follow the course they've laid out, eventually it will stop any size particle from entering - and all the air too! Retro - not taking exception with you, but with K&N's choice of words/description.