k&n filter maintenance

[AB]

I've never had one of these filters so just checking what's the general maintenance required to cleaning these puppies?

I know how to clean them but what timeline and mileage do you guys do?

Obviously if you do a long trip in dusty conditions, etc but is it just a visual observation when you see it caked with dust, light bit of dust on the filter or how do you guys know when it's time for a clean?


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[Winnie]

Visual inspection. You will be able to tell when it needs cleaning pretty easily.

[PeeBee]

I agree to some extent, and have had 2 of these over the years. I think the breathability is astounding when they are new - up to say 6 months, then I think it becomes academic if the actual filter is ever getting really cleaned out totally with washing. I know in industry that washable air filters were rolled out in the silo and dust collector industry to try and combat the cost of new elements. From experience it had been shown that the older the washable element was, assuming it had been cleaned appropriately, the shorter the cleaning intervals were required. [I] must admit that my own filters generally never got to that stage of being marginal because they never saw a great service, but the better way would be to install a simple tell-tale Dp(differential pressure indicator) - a quality one - and at least you would get a quantified pressure drop indication, as last resort. You will see these on industrial and agricultural equipment commonly. The trick is finding one that is sensitive and gives reliable indication. I would start looking at the like of the agricultural industry machinery and also pressure indication people like Benny or Bennie, Festo, catapillar, John Deere, that sort of thing where equipment is operated constantly in dusty environs and see how they indicate service intervals.

[my third 256]

also with these filters i found it easier to use a spray on oil that is coloured so you can see when surface is covered
have used this one from sca
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Castrol-Foam-Air-Filter-Oil-300g/155525

[threedogs]

Would a tin of SC degreaser sprayed from the inside to the outside and allowed to dry
be sufficient then apply the oil.
I have the SC cleaning kit but yet to use it, might give it a go today if allgoes well.

[mudski]

Andy get some Chemtech brand degreaser. CT17 it used to be called i think. Its the same stuff as the K & N brand filter cleaner. I used this on my filter and it works a treat.
Get a filter sock too bud, these filters block up real easy when on the dusty roads.
I got one for mine, along with a spare filter. So i have a clean filter on hand.

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[PeeBee]

Andy get some Chemtech brand degreaser. CT17 it used to be called i think. Its the same stuff as the K & N brand filter cleaner. I used this on my filter and it works a treat.
Get a filter sock too bud, these filters block up real easy when on the dusty roads.
I got one for mine, along with a spare filter. So i have a clean filter on hand.

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I tried the filter socks and ended up not using them. I found they clogged up really quickly with the sticky stuff because the filter area was so small relative to the volume of air going thru it.

[Winnie]

Andy get some Chemtech brand degreaser. CT17 it used to be called i think. Its the same stuff as the K & N brand filter cleaner. I used this on my filter and it works a treat.
Get a filter sock too bud, these filters block up real easy when on the dusty roads.
I got one for mine, along with a spare filter. So i have a clean filter on hand.

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I used to say the same about these filters and didn't think much of them because they get blocked pretty quick. Until somebody said slow down and think for a second...
If they weren't getting filled with dust and blocking, then previously all that dust was going into the engine. Hmm I'd rather clean the filter out more regularly.

[mudski]

Im not saying they dont do their job. The filter just blocks a lot faster than a paper element due to the oil used holding the dirt.

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[mudski]

I tried the filter socks and ended up not using them. I found they clogged up really quickly with the sticky stuff because the filter area was so small relative to the volume of air going thru it.
What was brand is the sock and what material was it made from?

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[my third 256]

will these do
71149

[threedogs]

wouldn't a "sock" choke the filter a bit ???

[mudski]

wouldn't a "sock" choke the filter a bit ???

Not at all. I have done dyno runs with and without the sock and there was zero difference. The plus side is my filter stays cleaner for longer.
http://www.outerwearsracing.com/proddetail.asp?prod=680

[PeeBee]

What was brand is the sock and what material was it made from?

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They are branded Uni filter and the oil imptrgnated open foam, same as the filter. The clogging rate is simply a dust density situation, if you have a single face filter screen 10cm x 10cm that all the air has to travel thru, and it's sticky, yes you will pre-filter with great success but the airflow will also drop off quickly. If the airflow does not drop off, the pre filter is letting the dust thru, simple as that. Even if you believe the marketing words around the ability of the filter to pulse and present a greater filter area to the dust load, again, the sticky oil does its job, but now the filter is being clogged in a 3 dimensional configure, hence greater resistance. Like I said in my first post, these breath really well when clean and new, but they are so good at trapping dust they clogg equally as quickly. If you have spares on hand and the time and drive to change the filter at the end of a dusty days travel, that's great. I used to do this, but got sick of oily dirty hands and the stuffing around after a full days travel and when I just wanted to get away from the vehicle and have a beer.