A K & N air filter increases horsepower and acceleration while protecting your engine from harmful debris. This product is available for most cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Unlike different kinds of filters, K & N is reusable, washable, and lasts longer. To ensure its efficiency, you should learn how to clean it well. This article explains the best way to clean a K & N air filter.
How to Clean K&N Air Filter With a Kit
Some people use a K & N filter recharge kit for cleaning though it’s expensive. However, it makes the entire cleaning process simpler, efficient, and faster. Here is a look at how to use the cleaner kit.
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Get the Filter Out of the Hood
The first step is getting the filter. Open the car’s hood and remove the filter by detaching the clamps or rings that may be holding it in place. There different shapes of the filter; yours may be circular, flat, or conical.
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Get Rid of Loose Dirt
Ensure you protect your eyes and nose to prevent contamination of dust. Shake the filter to remove the loose dirt, and use a soft-bristle brush to remove the extra. While brushing, ensure you do it gently to avoid destroying the filter.
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Spray Air Filter Cleaner
Spray the air filter cleaner and let allow it to sit for 10 minutes. As the solution settles, it will soak the grime, making it easy to rinse away.
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Rinse the Filter
Use cold water at low pressure to rinse off the dirt and residue remaining on the filter. Properly rinse the filter both on the inside and outside.
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Shake Off Dripping Water
Shake off the dripping water from the filter and allow the filter to air-dry overnight. Drying well will prepare the filter for the next step. For quick drying, leave the filter in a well-ventilated area at a mild temperature.
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Apply Oil to the Filter
Ensure you oil your filter well. If using the squeeze bottle, make sure the lubricant reaches every pleat, and for spray, use it while it’s few inches away and be careful with your face. The K &N filter oil usually has a red dye, which directs you while applying it to know how much you have covered. Spread the oil uniformly on the filter, and in case it’s excess, wipe it off with a paper towel. Allow the fabric to wick the oil for at least 20 minutes.
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Replace the Air filter
Slide the filter back to its specified slot in the engine compartment. Remember to reattach any clips or clamps to secure the filter. That’s the whole procedure of using a K&N air filter cleaner kit.
How to Clean a K&N Air Filter Without Kit
On the market, the K&N air filter cleaner and the oil are quite expensive. Even though having a washable air filter saves you a lot, it may be quite challenging to acquire the cleaning kit. No need to bother anymore as there are other cleaning agents you can use.
What You Need
- Detergent
- Warm water
- Shock absorber oil
- Large enough container
- Soft brush
Method
- Please get rid of the dirt from the air filter by shaking it off.
- Prepare the container and filter washing materials, pour hot water into the container.
- Put the detergent into the container, stir it until it foams.
- Dip the air filter into the soapy water, let it sit for some minutes.
- Lift the air filter and dip it back into the soapy water. Keep doing this until the water turns cloudy, and the dirt removed
- After Washing, leave the K&N air filter in the shade.
- Using a soft brush, apply shock absorber oil to the air filter, only on the outside surface. The aim is to ensure the dirt will stick on the outer part and avoid sucking into the engine combustion chamber.
Can I Clean My K&N Filter with Soap and Water?
It’s fine to clean your air filter with soap and water if you don’t have a K&N air filter cleaner kit. To ensure it gets thoroughly clean, ensure you use hot water and soak it for a while. Make sure you don’t scrub the filter too hard or use a high-pressure water hose. These two activities will damage the fabric.
Can You Use WD40 on K&N Air Filter?
WD40 isn’t best for using on your air filter. WD40 is a lubricant with an anti-corrosion agent and will not penetrate the fabric. It clogs on top of the fabric, blocking all air openings and making the air filter more restrictive. The oil also dries up more quickly than other kinds of oil. That means with time; there will be no oil on the filter to trap the dirt.
How Often Should You Clean a K&N Air Filter
First, you should inspect your air filter for about every 15 thousand miles of regular highway driving. But if you drive off-road, you should check your car frequently. K&N air filter that fits the factory air box can reach up to 50 000 miles before it needs cleaning. For large conical filters, they can go up to 100,000 miles though it depends on the environmental conditions.
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Cleaning, therefore, depends on the driving frequency and the environmental conditions in your area. If you frequently drive, ensure you clean your filter after every 10,000 miles, especially after going off-road.
Do You Have to Oil a K&N Air Filter?
Oiling is a necessary procedure to carry out while cleaning the air filter. Oil helps to trap the dirt from the outside, preventing them from getting into the combustion engine. Unlike other filters, K & N contains larger holes that will allow more dust to get into the machine. That’s why oiling is necessary to help control the dirt that gets through.
- Apply oil along the tops of each pleat, and give it 20 minutes to wick.
- If you notice any dry areas, lightly apply the area to ensure the filter is well oiled.
- Clean off any excess oil from the filter housing by using a paper towel.
- If the filter appears evenly oiled, reinstall it into the airbox.
How Long Does It Take Clean a K&N Filter?
It can roughly take an hour to thoroughly clean a K&N air filter though it can be longer or less time depending on the amount of dirt accumulated. But to dry it, it takes longer, like 24 hours, because you have to leave it overnight or under the shade as it will take less time.
Conclusion
Following the above simple steps in cleaning your air filter, the results will improve your car’s better performance. Ensure you inspect your air filter regularly whenever you open the hood to ensure your engine’s overall optimal performance and fuel efficiency. It’s a great skill to learn how to clean a K&N air filter.