K&N filter cleaning

Leeum

Leeum

Leeum

Associate
Joined
19 Sep 2005
Posts
1,242
Hi,

I've got a K&N cone filter which is due a clean and re-oil. I've bought the official kits for doing it before, and have enough of the spray oil left over to do the filter. I don't have any of the cleaning fluid though.

Rather than order a new kit, does anyone know what the 'cleaning fluid' contains, or whether you could use something like paraffin instead? Would obviously give it a good rinse with soapy water before re-oiling and fitting back to the car.

Cheers :)
 
Makes me wonder sometimes if these filters are actually worth the hassle for a normal user. I've got one on my bike but with other breathing mods so it feels worth while (if not only for the noise! :D ). But for the average user... the hassle of buying cleaning fluids and oiling it etc... may as well just use the OEM filter!
 
I use a Pipercross panel filter in my car which replaces the standard paper filter.
It does flow better than the paper version.
I too need the cleaning agent and some new oil !
 
Matt82 said:
http://www.max-boost.co.uk/max-boost/internet_articles/BMW E30 air filter tests.htm

this is a good read from a long time ago and the page was down for years
Click to expand...

Oh cool i've not read that one, thanks i'm going to read it this afternoon

Tysonator said:
I use a Pipercross panel filter in my car which replaces the standard paper filter.
It does flow better than the paper version.
I too need the cleaning agent and some new oil !
Click to expand...

Foam is bad on a road car, it doesnt filter anywhere near as well as an OEM paper filter for very minimal gains
 
The aftermarket filters may 'flow' better but the reality is that it is very rarely the paper element that is the restriction in the intake system, rather the intake assembly or pipework itself.

I mean, look at it this way - Ferrari use paper elements. Porsche use paper elements. Corvette use paper elements. Lamborghini use......paper elements.

Good enough for me :D

That and the fact that paper elements don't require constant attention and you can buy one for about 1/8th of the cost of a K&N, which will keep it going for some time, and means you don't have to buy cleaning kits, is also a big plus.

Paper elements filter very well too, so that's something to consider, especially on a high-mileage daily driver.

Best thing to do? Fit a well designed aftermarket intake system with a paper element that has a larger surface area, if you're that worried about it being a potential restriction, as it may well be in a few cases.

I remember when the Corvette club ran a back-to-back with various drop-in filters and they couldn't find any difference that was repeatable (i.e. none of them added anything) because the factory filter is already plenty big enough and flows very well anyway, while maintaining OEM filtration. The cost of a factory air filter? £9. Aftermarket? More like £50-70.
 
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^^ Exactly, thats another way of thinking of it. Someone may argue that manufacturers dont get any return on lifetime filters so thats why they use paper consumable filters but I dont agree with it, I think paper is in the best interest of the engines life time whilst being a cheaper solution.

Another one is Spoon Honda, they just use the paper OEM filter for race application

Also depending on the car you can modify the standard intake and remove the restrictive resonators, I dont even bother doing that anymore, only time i'd ever change an intake is if the engine internals had been modified to a point where the OEM intake becomes a major restriction
 
on a standard car they wont make much if any difference but when you start modding cars properly (i.e not just a filter and uge zorst) stock air intakes wont provide the air flow needed (true in the 200sx anywa)
 
112_0705_19z+2007_porsche_911_GT3+engine_bay_view.jpg


gt3. paper
 
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