K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
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From: Modesto CA
K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it?
The box says every 50k miles. Well...I put mine on, on 1/1/02 with 113k miles on the clock and I've only got 123k miles now, and I looked at the filter today and it's literally BLACK with dirt. Should I take it out and clean it or should I wait until at least the 1 year/25k mile mark?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
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From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
I clean mine along with every other oil change. 6 months or 6k miles. Might be over kill, but it dosen't take that long to do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (Steel Blue 91)
If you drive in a dusty climate, live on a dirt road kind of thing then I would wash it more. Just make sure you reapply the oil treatment.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (Goody)
I havent cleaned mine yet, got about 10k on it. Ill prolly do it at the next oil change.
Just dont over oil it so you dont blow the MAF.
Just dont over oil it so you dont blow the MAF.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
I haven't cleaned mine yet but it appears to still be somewhat pink. I have the cleaning kit, I just don't think about it until I pop the hood looking at something else.
I've had mine for a little over a year, probably 20k miles.
I've had mine for a little over a year, probably 20k miles.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2002
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From: Hazel Park MI
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (yoslambo1@cs.com)
I've got a little over 6K miles (2 yrs) on mine with an open lid and it is just now starting to lose the pinkish color. You can get the cleaner and oil made by K&N at most performance auto stores. I think I've seen it at the major chain stores also. :seeya :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
Every couple of months, I'd take it out and see how it is. Most of the time, it's about 4 to 5 months before I have to clean it. It's working when it's trapping dirt, which will restrict the airflow. Which means it'll do it's job and trap more dirt. So IMHO, it doesn't hurt to clean it often.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
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From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (jmrl98)
I've got a little over 6K miles (2 yrs) on mine with an open lid and it is just now starting to lose the pinkish color. You can get the cleaner and oil made by K&N at most performance auto stores. I think I've seen it at the major chain stores also. :seeya :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
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From: Charleston, WV
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (Steel Blue 91)
I clean mine twice a year when I clean the rad.......... I got to where I do that twice a year too because I seem to get a LOT of leaves in between.... the K&N seems to like leaves too...... :seeya
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: 80/680 junction Ca.
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (vettmech)
I'm looking at the test results of various filters done by David Vizard, and the test show that a K&N packed with 3/16" of dust still flows as much or more than a brand new Motorcraft paper element. Clean is better than dirty , but with a dirty K&N your still better than stock! So don't feel guilty when you let it slide a bit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
The box says every 50k miles. Well...I put mine on, on 1/1/02 with 113k miles on the clock and I've only got 123k miles now, and I looked at the filter today and it's literally BLACK with dirt. Should I take it out and clean it or should I wait until at least the 1 year/25k mile mark?
Well what do you think? A black filter....Hmmmm clean it or wait Hmmmmmm.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Dallas Tx
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (Shylor)
I am sure that K&N has good data that it will go 50K miles. With the Vette forced air intake sitting so low to the ground, at 6 months (5K miles for me), the filter is black, nasty, and has accumulated leaves, sand, bugs, etc on top of it.
So I just clean it every 6 months "whether it needs it or not".
The K&N spray cleaner works great. I let it dry, oil it, and let it sit overnight.
About 2 weeks after I replace the filter, I check the MAF wires to see if they have gathered any excess oil. If so, a quick spray of ChemTool, Gun Scrubber, etc cleans them and so far hasn't caused any damage to the MAF electronics.
So I just clean it every 6 months "whether it needs it or not".
The K&N spray cleaner works great. I let it dry, oil it, and let it sit overnight.
About 2 weeks after I replace the filter, I check the MAF wires to see if they have gathered any excess oil. If so, a quick spray of ChemTool, Gun Scrubber, etc cleans them and so far hasn't caused any damage to the MAF electronics.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
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From: Modesto CA
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (tkrussell)
Hmm..I guess it's cleaning time. My friend said to clean it like this
1.) Spray the cleaner on good and thourough
2.) Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash it out with a high pressure nozzle on the water hose (not TOO high pressure though)
3.) Let it airdry for 20 minutes
4.) Re-Oil and reinstall and you're ready to rock.
Maybe if I clean it, my E/T's will drop! :D (LOL, yeah right..but hey, let me dream!)
1.) Spray the cleaner on good and thourough
2.) Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash it out with a high pressure nozzle on the water hose (not TOO high pressure though)
3.) Let it airdry for 20 minutes
4.) Re-Oil and reinstall and you're ready to rock.
Maybe if I clean it, my E/T's will drop! :D (LOL, yeah right..but hey, let me dream!)
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 94
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From: Shelby Twp, Mi
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
I did mine after about 2 years-don't drive it very much but man was I surprised how much s*%t was in there! Especially with my forced air :eek:
I shaked and tapped forever to get all the rocks and dirt (and birds and squirrels and raccoons :lol: ) out of it, but it cleaned up nice.
I shaked and tapped forever to get all the rocks and dirt (and birds and squirrels and raccoons :lol: ) out of it, but it cleaned up nice.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 60
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From: Malibu CA
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
If its black, I would clean it right away. Not much to be gained by waiting for it to get blacker. I clean mine around every 25k miles. It really isn't very dirty at that point, either. Always use the K & N cleaner kit. Follow their instructions. I spray mine and then after 1/2 hour or so I rinse it off with low pressure hot water in the utility sink. Rinse and rinse and rinse. My theory is that the hot water causes the old oil to free up and flow away, taking the dirt with it. I let it sit overnight to dry more thoroughly before I re-oil it. Never try to dry it with compressed air. Don't over-oil it. Have fun!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: K&N Filter Question...how often do you wash it? (TIMSPEED)
I clean mine every 3-4mo or so; only use the cleaner & oil from the kit.
Summit has pretty good pricing on the kit.
Summit has pretty good pricing on the kit.