how to clean EXTREMELY dirty K&N filter
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,406
Likes: 2
From: Tallahassee, Fl
how to clean EXTREMELY dirty K&N filter because of my hood and intake setup, my air filter gets EXTREMELY dirty. its to the point now that even after cleaning it it still looks dirty
i am wondering if it is costing me power and i dont feel like dropping another 60-70 bucks on an air filter.
is there anyway to "deep clean" a k&n filter
i am wondering if it is costing me power and i dont feel like dropping another 60-70 bucks on an air filter.
is there anyway to "deep clean" a k&n filter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, FL
i had this same issue on my eclipse, I literally used almost an entire can of the k&N cleaner and I finally got it back to the offwhite color that it looks like before you add oil. I also used a wire brush and and air gun on it to remove the loose stuff.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,406
Likes: 2
From: Tallahassee, Fl
diswasher sounds like a good idea. i think im gonna try soaking it for a few hours in hot soapy water. if that dont work than dishwasher here i come
(i need a different sized filter than stock, suncoast airbox using a C4 vette filter, fugger is huge, thats why it cost so much)
(i need a different sized filter than stock, suncoast airbox using a C4 vette filter, fugger is huge, thats why it cost so much)
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Originally Posted by Mike K.
i had this same issue on my eclipse, I literally used almost an entire can of the k&N cleaner and I finally got it back to the offwhite color that it looks like before you add oil. I also used a wire brush and and air gun on it to remove the loose stuff.
To get the loose stuff out of mine. (I live on a dirt road, and have the SLP airdam ram air thingy....) Just put it dirty side down on the driveway, and give 'er some love taps. It's amazing how much dirt falls out of the thing. Get as much loose stuff as you can, then run your garden hose over it, clean side to dirty side. Don't pressure wash it, just rinse through good. By then the K&N filter cleaning kit should work just fine for you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,406
Likes: 2
From: Tallahassee, Fl
Originally Posted by CaptUSA
Seems to me that this would punch all sorts of holes in your filter. I know that compressed air is a no no, but the wire brush seems like it would be much worse.
To get the loose stuff out of mine. (I live on a dirt road, and have the SLP airdam ram air thingy....) Just put it dirty side down on the driveway, and give 'er some love taps. It's amazing how much dirt falls out of the thing. Get as much loose stuff as you can, then run your garden hose over it, clean side to dirty side. Don't pressure wash it, just rinse through good. By then the K&N filter cleaning kit should work just fine for you.
To get the loose stuff out of mine. (I live on a dirt road, and have the SLP airdam ram air thingy....) Just put it dirty side down on the driveway, and give 'er some love taps. It's amazing how much dirt falls out of the thing. Get as much loose stuff as you can, then run your garden hose over it, clean side to dirty side. Don't pressure wash it, just rinse through good. By then the K&N filter cleaning kit should work just fine for you.
im sure its fine, i think it just gets discolored cuz ive cleaned mine before a billion times and it was still a blackish color. also i heard a dirty k&n is better than a clean paper filter.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hourang
im sure its fine, i think it just gets discolored cuz ive cleaned mine before a billion times and it was still a blackish color. also i heard a dirty k&n is better than a clean paper filter.
If you say so...
What do you think the "color" is? (hint: dirt, etc.)
I'd never use a dirty K&N, but that's just my .02
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: Roseville, Ca.
I never let the discoloration bother me. I just wacked the filter on the ground a few times everytime I washed my car to remove the larger debris, then washed and re-oiled it every 20,000 miles or so. You won't suffer performance loss or filtering capabilities with a discolored filter. I put 150,000 miles on it. With my new setup, I got a Holley Powershot. 
Originally Posted by Steve Gunn
I never let the discoloration bother me. I just wacked the filter on the ground a few times everytime I washed my car to remove the larger debris, then washed and re-oiled it every 20,000 miles or so. You won't suffer performance loss or filtering capabilities with a discolored filter.
It doesn't have to be bright white/brand new again in order to use it, the oil will change the color immediately anyway.
Do not use a wire brush.
Do not use a high pressure power washer or compressed air.
I love K&N air filters.
Originally Posted by Tally TransAm
diswasher sounds like a good idea. i think im gonna try soaking it for a few hours in hot soapy water. if that dont work than dishwasher here i come
(i need a different sized filter than stock, suncoast airbox using a C4 vette filter, fugger is huge, thats why it cost so much)
(i need a different sized filter than stock, suncoast airbox using a C4 vette filter, fugger is huge, thats why it cost so much)
lemme know what the dishwasher does ryan, i just discovered mine was pretty dirty yesterday and cant find my re-charge stuff. mines a conical one though
Originally Posted by nddragon01
If you say so...
What do you think the "color" is? (hint: dirt, etc.)
I'd never use a dirty K&N, but that's just my .02
What do you think the "color" is? (hint: dirt, etc.)
I'd never use a dirty K&N, but that's just my .02
look for a cleaner called SC-200 its a solvent-based degreaser and its supposed to be mixed 50:1, but when i spray my filter i mix it 5:1 and it turns the filter show white after i let it sit and then spray it with the hose really good. i used to "think " my filter was clean..but this stuff is untouchable. oh and also, if you put the blow off attachment on your compressor, and take your time to blow it out good, the whole process takes like 30 mins total and you can just put it right back in the car