k&N air filter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburg Kansas
k&N air filter
Quick question for you guys. I've had my vette for a few weeks now. I was checking the air filter and noticed it was a little dirty. It is a K&N. These are washable correct? Do I just wash with regular water then go buy some oil for it, or should I go get a regular factory filter to put back in? I would eventually like to get some sort of cold air intake, but the boss won't let me spend any more money on it now, and the next upgrade I would like is some chrome or polished Z06 wheels. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Any NAPA, AUTOZONE or CHECKER AUTO should have a K&N filter recharging kit. It consists of a cleaning solution aerosol to clean the filter (rinse with fresh water) and an oil aerosol to re-oil. It should cost you less than $20 with tax.
You will most likely run out of the cleaning solution before you run out of the oil. When that happens, you can use diluted SIMPLE GREEN and a stream of fresh water to clean the filter. Never use compressed air. Allow it to air dry before you re-oil.
Apply the oil sparingly on the top of each pleat. Allow it to wick down, preferably over a few hours or over night before re-installation and start up.
An S&B FILTERS recharge kit can also be used. It uses a small measured syringe instead of oil aerosol. With an S&B kit, the chances of over oiling are significantly reduced.
Over oiling is what gets many owners in trouble with after market cotton gauze filters. If you over oil, the oil gets blown back onto the MAF wires, causing erratic idle, poor performance and maybe some codes.
OIL SPARINGLY OVER A CLEAN, DRY FILTER MEDIA.
You will most likely run out of the cleaning solution before you run out of the oil. When that happens, you can use diluted SIMPLE GREEN and a stream of fresh water to clean the filter. Never use compressed air. Allow it to air dry before you re-oil.
Apply the oil sparingly on the top of each pleat. Allow it to wick down, preferably over a few hours or over night before re-installation and start up.
An S&B FILTERS recharge kit can also be used. It uses a small measured syringe instead of oil aerosol. With an S&B kit, the chances of over oiling are significantly reduced.
Over oiling is what gets many owners in trouble with after market cotton gauze filters. If you over oil, the oil gets blown back onto the MAF wires, causing erratic idle, poor performance and maybe some codes.
OIL SPARINGLY OVER A CLEAN, DRY FILTER MEDIA.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 8, 2008 at 05:44 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 676
Likes: 2
From: Amherst VA
I assume you just have a k&n in the stock air box. If so, IMO, you should just stick a regular paper filter back in. less than $10 probably. that K&N in there isn't doing much in terms of HP.
Just my opinion
Andy
Just my opinion
Andy
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburg Kansas
Andy,
You are correct, it is the cartridge type in the stock air box. Sounds to me like it isn't worth the expense and hassle to clean and recharge the filter, not to mention the chance of getting the oil back into the MAF. Think I will just go with a regular paper type.
You are correct, it is the cartridge type in the stock air box. Sounds to me like it isn't worth the expense and hassle to clean and recharge the filter, not to mention the chance of getting the oil back into the MAF. Think I will just go with a regular paper type.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
It's your car to do with as you please...but explain which after market "cold air intake" you're going to buy that doesn't have an oiled filter media involved.
99% of the most popular and regularly recommended CAI systems use an oiled cotton gauze or oiled synthetic filter media.
K&N, LINGENFELTER, BREATHLESS PERFORMANCE, DONALDSON/ BLACKWING, VARARAM, JIM HALL, VORTEX, AFE, VOLANT, CALLAWAY/HONKER, etc all use an oiled filter media in their systems.
You already own the K&N drop in filter. Replacing it with an oem paper filter every 5,000 to 7,500 +/- miles or so will cost you what...$10-20 or more each time depending on source...
99% of the most popular and regularly recommended CAI systems use an oiled cotton gauze or oiled synthetic filter media.
K&N, LINGENFELTER, BREATHLESS PERFORMANCE, DONALDSON/ BLACKWING, VARARAM, JIM HALL, VORTEX, AFE, VOLANT, CALLAWAY/HONKER, etc all use an oiled filter media in their systems.
You already own the K&N drop in filter. Replacing it with an oem paper filter every 5,000 to 7,500 +/- miles or so will cost you what...$10-20 or more each time depending on source...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 8, 2008 at 08:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
Well, if "the boss" won't let you spend $7 on a re-charger kit, "the boss" is going to freak when you have to spend $10 on a paper element. You have the K&N, it's guaranteed for 1,000,000 miles; go buy the re-charger kit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Go with quality brand paper filter, if you are interested in getting the best possible air filtration. Lots of discussion on air filters on this forum over the years, do a search. You can do as you wish, but me, I buy and install a NAPA Gold air filter. I'd rather trade a few hp for better air filtration, but to each his/her own.
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