K&N Cotton Air Filter Cleaning & Re-oiling with Captions

[prochargerfreak2005]

I just cleaned my air filter today and I sprayed the oil from the clean side down is that bad ? should I re-clean and oil it again?

[PMSolvalou]

i have followed the instructions until halfway, following steps 1 and 2. after those two steps, my filter looks "pink" after going through both steps twice already. am I doing it wrong, or is that normal? with that said, does that mean i don't need to add that much oil, just as long as it looks "red" the day it was installed? thanks

[KNfilters]

@PMSolvalou The pinkish red color shows the filter is oiled, as long as there is no white left. If the filter is already this color when new, then no more oil is required and it is ready for install.

[meshguns]

your directions should be a little more clear. how long does it generally take for the filter to air dry? also there are two sides to the filter. Which side is the outside? an illustration as to which side is the outside would be nice as your video does not show which. i will be guessing which side to apply my oil to. thank you k&n

[KNfilters]

@meshguns The conditions where your filter is when drying will determine exactly how long it will take to dry. You always oil the “dirty” side of the filter and let the oil wick through.

[meshguns]

@KNfilters I wish I knew what the "dirty side" was.after washing,both sides are clean.both sides are nearly identical.you guys should have a mark on the filter in later versions as not to add confusion that says oil this side.Also, does it take around an hour or does it take 24 hours to dry.we aren't living in the tundra.in average conditions how long does it take?i've seen tutorials of people doing it completely wrong. no wonder dealers void warranties.too much oil.better instruc...

[aerox2fast4u]

Has it to be oiled from both sides or only from the outside?

[KNfilters]

@aerox2fast4u When servicing the filter, you only need to oil the dirty side.

[JeepRuby101]

Do all K&N filters need oiled? I could have swore when I bought mine, it said it didn't need oiled...

[KNfilters]

@JeepRuby101 This is because most of our filters are pre-oiled and ready for install from the factory, so we would let you know to not oil before installing to avoid over-oiling.

[banstaman]

Will any harm be done if you clean it "too frequently?"

[moiseswin]

@KNfilters I am thinking of buying a kn for my car, but do i have to oil it before i put it in? Or is it ready to install brand new from the box?

[KNfilters]

@moiseswin Most of our filters are pre-oiled and ready for install from the factory. To confirm, the filter should be red-pink in color. 

[omardiamel]

Should i only apply the oil on the part that gets dirty or even on the clean side?

[KNfilters]

@omardiamel You only need to apply oil to the “dirty” side. We use wicking type oil so it will spread to the “clean” side. We recommend only oiling one side and waiting 20 min. to inspect to prevent from over oiling your filter.

[O5rx8Mazda]

Its also a good idea that once you re-oil your filter to get a vacuum cleaner with a tube to suck up and excess oil. The excess oil can cause abnormal readings if soaked in it depending on how sensitive it is. It wont damage it just cause it to read a bit off! just a FYI

[O5rx8Mazda]

@O5rx8Mazda This is in regards to the MAF.

[nikhilsb09]

well the video is self explanatory....but one question in my mind....do i have to clean the oil off the filter before reinstalling??or is it just oil,wait for 20min for it to be absorbed and then reinstall back to my bike???thanks in advance.....

[KNfilters]

@nikhilsb09 You will wipe an excess oil from the filter after the 20 minutes; this should only happen if the filter was over oiled.

[wayne12345able]

Can I use hair dryer or something to speed up the drying process?

[KNfilters]

@wayne12345able You can if it is on a no heat setting. Keep in mind, like a cotton shirt, heat drying can cause the media to shrink.

[Temisdas]

how often should i clean my K&N filter?

[KNfilters]

@Temisdas The OE replacement filters are every 30,000-50,000 miles, and the full intake systems are every 50,000-100,000 miles. Or when dirt meets or exceeds the wire mesh.

[MrSicko847]

im using the aerosol kit for my kn air filter on my 300c..its the cone looking one. Do i spray oil on the inside of the filter as well?? : / thanx 4 the help

[KNfilters]

@MrSicko847 You only need to oil the outside of the filter. The oil will absorb all the way through the filter.

[MrSicko847]

@KNfilters thanx for the quick response

[thebillstack925]

Thank you

[EHTyrian]

They should definitely include how much oil to add in this video. Over-oiling K&N filters has caused MAF sensors to get coated and damaged by the oil. Not K&N's fault if customers over-oil filters, but they should make it clear how much oil is appropriate for a given filter.

[KNfilters]

@EHTyrian We have actually done testing to prove submerging a MAF sensor in our oil will not cause damage to it in any way. Check out our MAF tests on our website.

[customroadsd]

Glad you guys have this video out there. Really helped this weekend when I cleaned and reoiled my intake for my Chevy Silverado! Best filters around!

[pauldt]

Silly question, perhaps, but how long does it usually take for the filter to "dry naturally," after cleaning, (and yes, I realize that temperature, wind speed, etc. does come into play).

[MrMdr96]

is this the way i clean my intake filter????

[edoloman24]

whats the difference between k&n air filters and regular air filters, why is it 5 times the price

[73sebrougham]

@edoloman24 THEY ARE REUSABLE IF YOU clean and take care of them they will last you a lifetime get one!

[328iKid]

@edoloman24 Regular are made of paper and are more restrictive. Also regular are not re-useable like K&N air filters are.

[awefilledcreep]

@edoloman24 K&N are said to last longer, so you end up saving money just cleaning the filter rather than replacing the old ones. and they work differently than cotton air filters. supposedly better. i have one in my car and im not sure of the difference yet. but ill see if im saving money in a few years of driving.

[FABIOV12BR]

Good video. Quick and objective. Maybe an screen showing how much oiling is needed should be better.

Greetings from Brazil.

[Og508Joe]

1 K&N direct fit replacement filter average cost $45-$50 last lifetime of vehicle and you get better performance, better gas millage

K&N cleaner $12 usually last years pending driving conditions, how many times u clean filter (i clean once a year)

other filters $15-$65 and they need to be changed every year,so pending how long u have your car it could cost hundreds of dollars and no added anything except to the landfill when u change filter

so to me its a no brainer K&N all the way

[kdknitro]

buy one ever espensive filter, oh and our cleaners and oil, but this will save you money

[qwerty1274]

@kdknitro yea i dont really think you thought this one through....

[kdknitro]

@qwerty1274 yeah some spelling errors but you cant fix them on here

[qwerty1274]

@kdknitro no i mean with your logic unless your using a full recharger kit for each time you clean a filter (in that case your doing it wrong) then the math adds up to save you money. think before you post

[kdknitro]

@qwerty1274 nope still more exspensvie, have a nice day

[qwerty1274]

@kdknitro lol... ok bud