A simple air filter question, I think

[javon7065]

Hey everyone. I noticed a K&N sticker on the air filter cover stating that it needs to be washed and can be reused. When looking at the car I thought this was a stock feature but I know now that it is not. Watched a video about cleaning/oiling. I've never encountered one of these before. No idea how old it is but I thought I would replace it. Question is: I won't be racing this car so can I just replace with a regular filter? If so, what brand is recommended?

Thanks for any suggestions. You all have been very helpful in answering my questions about this car!

Joe

 

[kryptto]

Just wash it down with a garden hose and let it dry in the sun or warm dry place. More than absolute likely you don't need to oil it. Put it in the box and move on.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

You can always replace it with a regular paper filter, but if it's already got a k/n like @kryptto said you can rinse it and let it dry for free, the maintenance kits cost as much as a regular filter so if the mesh is good and the cotton isnt matted or frayed id just use what you have, its a superior filter.

 

[javon7065]

You can always replace it with a regular paper filter, but if it's already got a k/n like @kryptto said you can rinse it and let it dry for free, the maintenance kits cost as much as a regular filter so if the mesh is good and the cotton isnt matted or frayed id just use what you have, its a superior filter.

ok, great. watching the video about it the dude was using the maintenance kit and that seemed expensive. hose water and sunlight it is. Thanks guys!!

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

K&N Cleaning Kit $22 and will last a lonnnnnnnnng time, i service my filters every 10k, i have 4 vehicles running k/ns and still have the first kit i bought 8 years ago. Water and air dry works but this kit will rehab a nasty filter.

 

[javon7065]

K&N Cleaning Kit $22 and will last a lonnnnnnnnng time, i service my filters every 10k, i have 4 vehicles running k/ns and still have the first kit i bought 8 years ago. Water and air dry works but this kit will rehab a nasty filter.

OK I thought it was more expensive than that. I’ll have to yank it out and take a look and see what I have. Perhaps I’ll take a picture and post here and get your advice on whether a water cleaning will work or I should get the kit. How much is a new one of these filters?

 

[kryptto]

Here ya go

 

[javon7065]

Here ya go

Thanks for that. I pulled mine out today and it didn’t look too dirty, but then again I’ve only ever used the paper filters which are very easy to tell if they were dirty or not. I’m attaching two pictures the top and the bottom before I rinsed it off. Didn’t look dirty to me and after using the hose water there wasn’t a lot of dirty water coming off of it so I guess it’s good for a while then. But let me know if I’m wrong please.

 

[kryptto]

Thanks for that. I pulled mine out today and it didn’t look too dirty, but then again I’ve only ever used the paper filters which are very easy to tell if they were dirty or not. I’m attaching two pictures the top and the bottom before I rinsed it off. Didn’t look dirty to me and after using the hose water there wasn’t a lot of dirty water coming off of it so I guess it’s good for a while then. But let me know if I’m wrong please.View attachment 89941

Gotta say u might need to recharge her. Not seeing a light pink. The person who put it in has cleaned it regularly.

 

[javon7065]

Gotta say u might need to recharge her. Not seeing a light pink. The person who put it in has cleaned it regularly.

Ok, so does recharge mean get the cleaning kit?

 

[kryptto]

Ok, so does recharge mean get the cleaning kit?

Get a recharge kit, and very lightly retreat it. Light oil reapply.

 

[Texas Marauder]

IMO, K&N filters are over rated. With that said, hosing the filter off with water doesn't really do anything. The dirt is embedded in the filter and stuck with oil. The cleaning kit has a detergent/solvent which dissolves the oil and releases the dirt. Use a hose or faucet to flush the debris from the filter. Wash from the clean side to the dirty side to prevent further embedding of dirt. Do not use high pressure water or air. Let the filter air dry completely. May take a day or so. Re-oil lightly, every other pleat. Let sit for a while and look for any light colored spots that aren't oiled. Sparingly treat those spots.

 

[javon7065]

IMO, K&N filters are over rated. With that said, hosing the filter off with water doesn't really do anything. The dirt is embedded in the filter and stuck with oil. The cleaning kit has a detergent/solvent which dissolves the oil and releases the dirt. Use a hose or faucet to flush the debris from the filter. Wash from the clean side to the dirty side to prevent further embedding of dirt. Do not use high pressure water or air. Let the filter air dry completely. May take a day or so. Re-oil lightly, every other pleat. Let sit for a while and look for any light colored spots that aren't oiled. Sparingly treat those spots.

Thanks all for you answers. I have ordered the cleaning kit.