K&N filter oil

**DS-LS1** · 10-30-2007, 06:12 PM

I was at a shop last week and saw a guy use WD-40 on a K&N air filter (instead of the K&N air filter oil). I was told that WD-40 is pretty much the same stuff that K&N sells. Obviously alot cheaper. Anyone ever heard of using WD-40 on their K&N air filter?

**98ls1blackbird** · 10-30-2007, 06:28 PM

From what I know, WD-40 is more of a cleaner than a lubricant. In as much as the K&N recharge kit is only about 10 bucks and is good for dozens of recharges, I wouldnt take a chance on my engine with WD-40.

**NvyBluMtlc02WS6** · 10-30-2007, 06:55 PM

Eh, I don't know about that one. I use WD-40 on my jet ski engine after a flush and wash down from the salt water. WD-40 acts as a water deterrent, but I don't think I'd use it on my air filter. Like blackbird said, the filter charger is only like $9.99 at Auto Zone and is made specifically for the K&N air filter.

**sunsetorangess** · 10-30-2007, 11:22 PM

That just sounds like a bad idear. Just pick up the recharge kit.
J

**2001NBMZ28** · 10-31-2007, 09:30 AM

Isn't WD-40 considered a solvent? I wouldn't try it...

**INMY01TA** · 10-31-2007, 04:37 PM

Completely safe. I use it all the time.

**Bigjohn366** · 11-01-2007, 12:35 AM

true , if you need to get a prefilter charger clean , clean it with gas or wd 40 .

but the k&n needs a oil on afterwards so it doesnt get dirty again , if you find your self buying more charger kits than what the filter cost than start useing wd 40 ,

plus gas and wd 40 works on foam air filters the best not cotton or compisite air filter s

**Firebirdjones** · 11-01-2007, 03:50 AM

Clean it with GAS? I'm not sure I would use that for cleaning. These oil type filters are made of soft cotten gauze. All the instructions I have read state to just rinse out with warm water and a mild soap and then let air dry.

It's the way I have done it for years, been running K&N filters since the late 1980's. I have always used their re-oil charge kits as well and wouldn't attempt to use anything else.

I have had the same recharge can since the mid 1990's and it has 1-2 filter recharges left in it. I have 7 cars that use K&N filters,,,,,I clean them once a year or so,,,,,they go a long way. You don't have to soak these filters until they are dripping wet, use it sparingly. It's not like you have to buy the K&N recharge kit all the time, and it doesn't cost much anyway.

I would think WD-40 would be a little too thin, and runny. Probably get all over everything,,,yuk. Plus I am not sure it would stay very long on the filter due to it's thin nature,,,,and would probably require more frequent maintainance. Just my thoughts. Use the real stuff.

**DS-LS1** · 11-01-2007, 11:17 AM

Yeah, I didnt say I would use it. Just wondering if anyone uses it or had heard of using it. - Just another reason why I stay away from shops if possible. They use the cheapest methods they can get away with. I watched them clean the filter with degreaser, compressed air dry it, then lubricate the filter with WD-40. When I questioned it, I was told that "WD-40 becomes tacky when it dries, and is pretty much the same product as the K&N." - Glad it wasnt my car.

( I was only at the shop getting a set of rotors cut for my Blazer, I dont have the machine to cut them.)

**dlbrando** · 11-02-2007, 06:29 PM

I would be pissed if the shop did that, and you would find out real quick since the filte oil is what makes it purple.

**TransAm11973** · 12-10-2007, 10:41 AM

Put it this way ,...YOU ARE AN IDIOT IF YOU CLEAN YOU FILTER WITH GAS, OR BUT WD-40 ON YOUR FILTER.

**TransAm11973** · 12-10-2007, 10:44 AM

If you are that cheap that you cant buy a recharge kit then you shouldnt even have a k&n filter in your car

**35thAnniZ28** · 12-10-2007, 11:14 PM

paper filter FTW!

**Sarge** · 12-11-2007, 05:07 AM

WD40 is a solvent and will eat the cotton.

**TransAm11973** · 12-11-2007, 09:16 AM

thank you sarge, Finally someone who knows what they are talking about

**lonewolf37** · 12-11-2007, 07:33 PM

We had a thread about this last month. It was proven to my satisfaction that the AMSOIL filter is better. So that is what I am now running.
I will sell my K@N cheap.

**440 rwhp trans am** · 12-11-2007, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by lonewolf37

We had a thread about this last month. It was proven to my satisfaction that the AMSOIL filter is better. So that is what I am now running.
I will sell my K@N cheap.

i threw mine in the trash

**Wesman** · 12-11-2007, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge

WD40 is a solvent and will eat the cotton.

Exactly. And gasoline isn't any better.

Just clean it with the damn filter cleaner or some Simple Green. Even mild dish detergent. These are common household things people, if you need to resort to siphoning gas out of your tank to clean your damn air filter you have more problems then just a dirty air filter.

**Bigjohn366** · 12-24-2007, 05:29 PM

gas is only good for foam filters ,

if your filter gets dirty easy , wrap some of the foam around it ,

14 $ is a small price to pay for a 40 $ + air filter