Cleaning a K&N filter

[Biker Dash]

Ok, I know this sounds like a stupid question, but how do you properly clean a K&N air filter? And how long after cleaning the filter do I have to wait befor applying the K&N filter oil to it?

(I overdid it with the filter oil when I put the K&N on the bike lol)

[aaronrkelly]

I use the filter/charging kit from K&N.

Basically you spray the cleaner on....wait.....and rinse with low pressure water.

After cleaning you have to wait for it to dry NATURALLY. Do NOT use compressed air as it will damage the filter. You can set it in front of a regular fan but thats it.

Then apply the oil and you need to wait for THAT to dry before running it.....or you may suck oil into the intake, which isnt a good thing.

The whole process takes awhile figuring the dry time - I know ALOT of guys that run K&Ns have 2 filters so they can always have 1 ready and they arent setting around a day without riding waiting for their filter.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

I use Zep brake cleaner to clean the filter, as it dries in minutes and leaves no residue. Then lightly spray with K&N filter oil, re-instal, and go for a ride.

If you put a little too much oil on it's no big deal as it's kind of self correcting. Through use the extra oil will get sucked into the engine (no problem with that) and the right amount will be left clinging to the filter material.

[Stainlesstehle]

Do any motorcycles have MAF sensors? If you over oil a K&N filter on a car with a MAF sensor you will have run ability issues. The extra oil coats the hot wire and gives the computer false readings.
Thats ONLY if your bike is fuel injected with a MAF sensor. I don't know if any do, but over oiling can be an issue on a car

[HKshooter]

Good points.
I'll add that K&N airfilter oil does not dry or otherwise it would not work because it's the oil that does the filtering, not the cotton. I spray one pass down each pleat and that's plenty. Install, go riding.

[Biker Dash]

Would carb cleaner work? I have a can of that stuff.

[HKshooter]

Originally Posted by Animedevildog

Would carb cleaner work? I have a can of that stuff.

I havent tried it but I'd be afraid it might attack the rubber it's made of. Personally I use Castrol SuperClean. Spray liberally, let soak, wash out under hot running water, let set in the sun for a few hours. Spray oil, install.

They say to avoid using compressed air and I agree with this. But a coworker of mine used to use it all the time at low pressure and from the inside out and never seemed to have any problems. I still avoid it.

[smooth1]

I've always used the regular K&N cleaning fluid. After the filter's dry I put the oil on a little at a time & let it soak in before applying more oil. I got too much on my wife's car filter awhile back. If you follow the directions it takes awhile to clean dry & apply the oil.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by Animedevildog

Would carb cleaner work? I have a can of that stuff.

Don't use the carburetor cleaner.

[Biker Dash]

Actually, both the Mechanics I deal with up at Starting Line (two guys I HIGHLY recommend to anyone with a bike here in Maine) said I would have no issues using carb cleaner.

So I tried it.

And it did the job just fine.

[getlower666]

i dont clean becouse every year got new bike with new k&n but i would use only water

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by getlower666

but i would use only water

The filters are coated with OIL.
Water won't do much (like nothing) to clean them.

[robow]

I would think that carb cleaner and brake cleaner would be to strong of a solvent, but I guess if it worked its fine. I know at auto parts stores you can get the K&N filter cleaner kit for about twenty dollars.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

I suppose it depends on what KIND of fluids you have. The carburetor cleaner we have in the shop is extremely flammable, will burn your skin and it will also soften paint. The Zep brake cleaner we have is much less volatile and is completely safe to spray on painted surfaces. Plus, it cleans the filter elements very well and very quickly.

The carburetor cleaner that you can buy in a can from the auto parts store might not be as volatile though. (It also doesn't do as good a job cleaning carburetors.) Hey, if you're not sure just get the K&N kit as was mentioned.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider 2

The filters are coated with OIL.
Water won't do much (like nothing) to clean them.

Thanks for the chuckle.

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

Thanks for the chuckle.

When a nub 14 year old shows up and proceeds to tell all of us the "truth" according to him.......humor helps......to keep from crying or flying too far off the handle.