How To Clean A K And N Air Filter

Download Article

K&Northward auto air filters are prized for their durable construction and long lifespan. Unlike normal paper filters, they tin can exist cleaned and reused for tens of thousands of miles, which will spare you the inconvenience of having to have your air filter replaced regularly. Best of all, they're a cinch to make clean. Using the Recharger kit included with your K&North filter, just spray the filter with the cleaning solution, rinse it and apply a new coat of dust-trapping oil. Keeping your K&Northward air filter clean and in good condition volition greatly ameliorate your vehicle'southward mileage and overall functioning.

ane
Remove the filter. Pop the hood on your vehicle to admission the engine compartment. Find your air filter—these are almost always housed inside a large plastic box that makes them easily identifiable. If there are band clamps or latches holding the filter in place, disengage them and lift the filter straight out.^[1]
- Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the air filter may exist apartment, circular or conical in shape. The methods used to clean the filter will be the same regardless of its blueprint.^[2]
- Y'all may also desire to stick a towel or another object into the air intake port to keep debris from entering the engine after the filter has been removed.
2
Determine whether your filter needs cleaning. One thousand&Due north advises that their air filters only require service if whatsoever of the filter'due south folds are covered so thickly with grit or dirt that they're no longer visible. If you lot can still plainly encounter the pleats on your filter, it may not need to be cleaned, fifty-fifty if it appears dingy.^[3]
- If your filter looks clogged or fuzzy, or if it'due south lost all traces of its ruddy oil coat, it's probably due for a cleaning.
Advertisement
3
Shake off loose grit and dirt. Give the filter a gentle shake to dislodge whatever debris is resting on the surface. Don eye protection and a animate mask if you accept them to avoid inhaling grit particles. Be careful non to milkshake the filter too hard or handle the pleats directly, as this could potentially impairment them.^[four]
- Yous can also use a soft-bristled brush to remove grit without harming the filter.
- To avoid making a mess, it's recommended that you remove your air filter outside.
four
Spray the filter with cleaning solution. Grab the bottle of aerosol cleaner that came included with your filter. Spray the filter liberally on both sides. It'due south important that yous make clean both the inner and outer surfaces of the filter, non simply the dirty outside pleats. Make certain each individual pleat has been thoroughly misted with cleaner.^[5]
- Apply equally much solution equally you lot demand to completely coat both sides of the filter.
- 1000&North'south proprietary air filter cleaning solution can be purchased online or wherever motorcar accessories are sold.
5
Allow the solution to soak on the filter for 10 minutes. Equally the cleaner sits on the filter, information technology will begin to cut through caked-on grime, making information technology like shooting fish in a barrel to rinse away. Place the filter in the sink or on a towel while the cleaning solution does its chore. This will prevent dissolved gunk from running off and staining your work surface.^[6]
- Be careful not to let the cleaning solution dry on the filter.
Advertisement

1
Rinse the filter from the inside out with absurd water. Turn on a hose or tap to a low-cal stream. Hold the air filter directly under the stream and so that the water runs through the within of the filter to the outside. The h2o volition carry away the grit and dirt loosened by the cleaning solution.^[7]
- Rinsing from the exterior in will only strength clay further into the filter.^[8]
- If your air filter happens to be specially filthy, yous may demand to repeat the cleaning and rinsing process more than than once in order to restore it to a similar-new condition.
2
Milkshake off the backlog h2o. Alternatively, yous can rest the filter confronting another object at an bending and let it drip-dry. Get off as much standing moisture every bit you can. Again, endeavor not to handle the filter likewise roughly.^[9]
- Set the filter on a clean, dry towel to absorb more than water.
- For quicker drying, brand sure you leave the filter in a well-ventilated expanse at a balmy temperature.^[10]
3
Let the filter air dry out overnight. It will usually take somewhere between six and eight hours for the filter to dry out completely indoors. Plan on servicing your air filter at a time that you know y'all won't need to drive anywhere.^[xi]
- Do not try to apply oil while the filter is nonetheless wet.^[12]
- If demand be, you can temporarily install a regular disposable air filter so that you lot'll exist able to use your vehicle while your One thousand&N filter finishes drying.
Advertisement

1
Apply a thin coat of oil to each fold in the filter. Your K&N air filter Recharger kit should too include a separate oil in either a squeeze bottle or aerosolized spray can. This oil needs to exist spread straight over each pleat in the filter. If yous're using a squeeze bottle, run the tip along the summit of the pleat equally you lot squeeze. If you're using a spray can, agree the filter a few inches away from the nozzle to ensure that the oil coats properly.^[13]
- K&Due north air filter oil contains a subtle ruby-red dye that makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to run into how much of the filter you've covered. Past the fourth dimension you're finished, the entire filter should have a reddish tint to information technology.
- Use a paper towel to wipe abroad excess oil around the edges of the filter and piece of work the oil more evenly into the pleats.^[14]
- Be sure to work outside or in another well-ventilated expanse and spray the oil away from your face up.
2
Let the oil represent xx minutes. The oil will wick into the surface of the filter, creating a more effective barrier.^[15]
- Oil is used to assist the filter collect dust, dirt and other droppings every bit information technology enters the air intake.
- The oil too serves to protect the filter from deterioration, extending its lifespan.
3
Replace the air filter. Slide the filter back into its specified slot in the engine compartment. Remember to reattach any clips or clamps that secure information technology. Your motorcar'due south engine will now be protected, optimized and prepare for upward to some other 50,000 miles of open road!^[sixteen]
- Even though K&N air filters are designed to terminal, yous should however get in the habit of checking the status of your filter every 25,000 miles.^[17]
- If you placed a stopper in your air intake, don't forget to remove information technology before reinstalling your filter.
Ad

Add New Question

Question

In a pinch, what blazon of oil can be used for a K&N air filter?

Transmission fluid or power steering fluid works only as well. Just brand certain all excess has been tuckered away. Oil filters can impact your mass air menses sensor if not properly oiled, so it'southward very important to get all that dripping oil off.
Question

If I spray Thou&N oil on a standard paper chemical element air filter, will that work until it gets also dirty?

Do not do this. K&N filters use a cotton filter chemical element, and the oil is designed to increase the efficiency of that medium. Applying oil to a paper element will cause the paper filter to have reduced efficiency, as well as weakening the element and thus increasing the chance of it tearing or breaking, similar to a slice of paper towel or toilet paper losing strength when it gets wet.
Question

I take a 2004 Blazer with a rectangular air filter. Do I spray the oil on the filter on both sides - tiptop and bottom - or just one side?

Aherrera505

Customs Reply

After properly washing the filter, y'all desire to spray just i side, according to their maintenance tips, but honestly I don't see any harm in putting it on the other side also, as long as y'all let information technology dry properly before installing information technology and starting the vehicle.
Question

Does hot water destroy a K&Due north air filter?

Yes, hot h2o can be dissentious. The manufacturer recommends using only cool or warm water. Water should flow from the clean side out. Merely low pressure should be utilized. Go along flushing until water flows articulate.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advert

Keep close tabs on your mileage so yous'll know exactly when your air filter requires cleaning or replacing.
It's a proficient idea to wear gloves to keep the cleaning solution and tinted oil from getting all over your easily.
Drying times may exist reduced significantly if yous leave the filter to sit out on a warm, sunny day.
If you tend to drive in dusty off-road conditions, yous'll likely need to clean your air filter more frequently.
When you brainstorm to discover structural damage to the cloth of your filter, it'due south time to supplant it with a new ane.

Never utilise other means, such every bit a blow dryer, microwave or oven, to try to cutting downwards on how long it takes the filter to dry. This is guaranteed to ruin your filter.
Be careful not to over-oil your filter. Backlog oil could get sucked into the air intake, triggering your "cheque engine" light and hindering your engine's operation.

Things You'll Demand

Thou&N air filter
M&N air filter Recharger kit
Safety gloves
Soft-bristled brush
Hose or faucet
Large bath towel
Paper towels

About This Article

Article Summary X

To clean a K&N filter, pop the hood of your car and pull the filter out of its housing. If the filter has a thick coat of dust and dirt and you can't see the folds, it's condom to clean it. Start by shaking the filter to dislodge loose dirt and debris, and spray the entire filter with cleaning solution, allowing the solution to rest for ten minutes. Then, rinse the filter from the outside using cool h2o, and shake off the excess water. Go out the filter out of the car to dry for 6-viii hours. For tips on oiling the filter before y'all put it back in the car, read on!

Did this summary assist y'all?

Thank you to all authors for creating a page that has been read 83,314 times.