K&N Filter cleaning

Carleton · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2001, 09:37 AM

Hi Everyone

I have had my K&N Filter on my car for 2 years now.(17,000 miles)
I have cleaned it a few times with the K&N cleaning kit. Is this good enough? Should I keep the filter that's on there and just keep cleaning it or is there a time when I should just get a new one?

thanks for any input
Carleton

ERA535 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2001, 10:49 AM

Just keep cleaning it. One of the advantages of the K&N is that you do not have to replace it.

JAM1775 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2001, 03:22 PM

I believe they advertise a 100,000 mile life span.
But 17K ?? You have plenty of life left in that air filter.

Ibr8k4vetts · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2001, 03:28 PM

I thought it was 1,000,000 Mi? Mike
________
RC149

dalola · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2001, 06:55 AM

I'm sure you realize this, but thought I'd throw it out anyway.

Don't forget to re-oil it after cleaning! The oil is what makes it all work. I am always amazed by all the "white" K&N filters I see while walking around at car shows and races.

I've always heard, once they get a little dirty, they work better, so do not be tempted to over-clean. I think they recommend cleaning every 50,000 miles in "normal" conditions. Just re-apply some oil, and keep on truckin'!

Dave

Carleton · #6 (**permalink**) 12-04-2001, 09:54 PM

Thank you everyone!

Carleton

CSX 4027 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2001, 06:04 PM

Throw them away!!!

This is what I was told by a Nascar engine builder. It is safer to buy a new one. Also, they do work better after being a little dirty.

The problem fron cleaning is putting too much oil on them which can be dangerous to the motor>

This is a repeated opinion. Not my own.......

dalola · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 08:19 AM

Steve,
You post some interesting comments, of which I've never heard before now.

Perhaps you could be more detailed regarding the data behind your claims? I don't deny you were told those things, but would certainly question the validy. I've never been a big fan of word of mouth, especially when claims made can be scientifically proven.

If interested, I can post flow data comparing a new K&N vs. a used, slightly dirty K&N. I can also post data that shows the K&N oil is a mineral oil, similar to Marvel Mystery oil, and is harmless to an engine, should some be introduced into the combustion process.

If your information is accurate, a great many of us could benefit from it. But, I need data!

Regards,
Dave

CSX 4027 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 08:40 AM

My engine builder worked for Jeff Gordon. I will talk with him this week and get back to you. All I remember for now is what I posted but, coming from him, I take it as more than heresay.

aumoore · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 08:56 AM

I have always wondered if the K&N really adds HP over a paper filter? Has anyone replaced their paper filter with a similar size K&N and did you ntice any improvement. I am thinking of one for my 2001 4.6 supercrew and my Cobra.

As to the Filter being hazardous to a motor I think that is bunk even from a Neckcar engine builder(I loveNascar but lets be real most of them thar engine builders are just good old boys that have been building motors since they were in diapers). Heck some even talk to their motors and sleep with the car B4 the race.

chopper · #11 (**permalink**) 12-10-2001, 09:59 AM

I understood from the K&N site that they recommend not over-oiling the filters because, on those cars which use electronic fuel injection, the oil may coat and foul some of the intake air sensors of the EFI system. It seems to me that those of us using carbs should have little to worry about in that regard, but that's a relatively uneducated guess.

One thing I am curious about, however. I took off my (2) filters and cleaned them last weekend. Despite using the entire bottle of cleaner and washing each out thoroughly three times, I could not get them to return to any semblance of white color. The best I could get was a dark grey, almost black. They seem clean and on the third attempt I got no more crud out of the filters, but they are black and won't come any whiter. I don't really care about the color except it's harder to get the oil on evenly when you can't see where it's going. Their website says don't do anything except use their detergent, and especially warns against using chlorine bleach. Anybody got any suggestions?

ERA535 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-10-2001, 04:51 PM

I have cleaned a lot of them and use a mild soapy water solution to let them soak in. Works fine and is cheaper.

I really don't think anyone has that sensitive an ass that they can tell the difference between a paper element and a K&N - I do recall reading some dyno tests that showed a mild HP increase using them though.