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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? :think:
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.
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.
That just sounds like a bad idear. Just pick up the recharge kit.
J
Isn't WD-40 considered a solvent? I wouldn't try it...
Completely safe. I use it all the time. :wall:
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
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.
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.)
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.
Put it this way ,...YOU ARE AN IDIOT IF YOU CLEAN YOU FILTER WITH GAS, OR BUT WD-40 ON YOUR FILTER.
If you are that cheap that you cant buy a recharge kit then you shouldnt even have a k&n filter in your car
paper filter FTW!
WD40 is a solvent and will eat the cotton.
thank you sarge, Finally someone who knows what they are talking about
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 trashQuote:
Originally Posted by lonewolf37
Exactly. And gasoline isn't any better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarge
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.
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
threw mine also
Why did you throw it away? -also- After how many miles is cleaning reccomended for the K@N air filter?Quote:
Originally Posted by 35thAnniZ28
no use for it i guess..and ive become busy so damn much i don't have time to oil the damn thing..decided to get a paper filter...so who am i trying to impress that the filter knows how to attract dirt the best...and oiled filter will def. get dirtier quicker compared to paper
Umm................ok
this guy...
hahahaha -you crack me up man. But seriously- can anyone tell me the amount of miles at which you should clean and reoil a K@N air filter? I was thinking 25,000 but I dont think I am right(seems a bit long). Thanks in advance.
oh sorry man..i forgot that question....i used to do it every oil change..:)
wow-I realize that paper filters should be checked every oil change but I was under the impression K@N air filters could go at least 5,000 miles before needing cleaned. I hope I am right because I have about 2,000 miles on mine right now-mine looks clean but with the K@N its kind of hard to tell.
yeah it was hard to tell when i had it....ok i just told you what my habit of cleaning was..i guess you could go with your own 5000
No-I am just trying to figure out how long before cleaning- didnt mean to imply you were wrong at all.
Just found this on the K@N website:
4. How often do I need to clean my K&N air filter?
If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your filter is fine and does not yet need cleaning. To be more specific, the filter does not require cleaning if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the filter, it is time to clean it. When used in normal paved road, street or highway conditions, our replacement air filters that fit in the factory air box should require cleaning every 50,000 miles and our large conical filters on an intake system should require cleaning every 100,000 miles. When used in dusty or off-road environments, our filters will require cleaning more often. We recommend that you visually inspect your filter once every 25,000 miles to determine if the screen is still visible.
oh ok ...uhmm as the website claims
Quote:
4. How often do I need to clean my K&N air filter?
If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your filter is fine and does not yet need cleaning. To be more specific, the filter does not require cleaning if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the filter, it is time to clean it. When used in normal paved road, street or highway conditions, our replacement air filters that fit in the factory air box should require cleaning every 50,000 miles and our large conical filters on an intake system should require cleaning every 100,000 miles. When used in dusty or off-road environments, our filters will require cleaning more often. We recommend that you visually inspect your filter once every 25,000 miles to determine if the screen is still visible
You were cleaning your air filter WAY too much.
hahah thats what i was thinking after i read it..ehh but still i hated seeing all that dirt/bugs build up under there...n plus...where i live its sometimes real windy and deserty so i kinda had no choice
I hear ya. I think their reccomendation of inspecting the filter every 25,000 is a bit long-anyways- IMO.
yeah no chet..
I see a few people are turned off by the K&N. I bought a holley powershot for my T/A. I have always liked holley products in the past. Anybody heard anything bad/good about those filters?
the holley ones are green right?..do they need to get oiled?
I have had K&N's since the 80's,,,,never had any issues at all with them. I check them and clean them about every 10,000 miles or so if necessary,,,no big deal. It sure beats running around and buying paper filters all the time,,,,seems you have to stop at 3 places before you find one in stock,,,that gets old in a hurry.
Just like anything else though,,,,over the years other manufactures try to copy, duplicate, or improve on a design,,,and there may be better ones out there by now,,,but I see no reason to change after all these years,,,,K&N has been good to me, no complaints here.
Well here's something that will open your eyesQuote:
Originally Posted by Firebirdjones
http://www.performanceoiltechnology....ir_filters.htm
How do they come up with the conclusion that a K@N air filter needs cleaned 2 times a year? According to K@N their air filters only need cleaned every 25,000 miles or more depending on how much dirt is covering the metal grate. I think amsoil has some good oil but their comparison chart for air filters is a little off IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbob93
I agree with you. I have used K@N air filters since I was a kid in my 3 wheeler ATV ,used them in trucks and cars, and in my car now-never had a issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebirdjones
Thats a nice read and I appreciate the link. But I can't help but think it might be a little bias.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbob93
I am sure amsoil is a good filter,,,,as I said,,,,K&N has been around for many years and things improve over time with new product. But I think their estimate of almost $170 for servicing the K&N is a very optimistic. I have had the same can of K&N oil since about 1992,,,with 8 cars out here to clean and service K&N filters on,,,yet I still have at least 1-2 more left in it,,,,,and I wash them out with a mild soap and water,,,no need for expensive cleaners.
That can of oil cost me about $4.00 in 1992,,,so thats all I have spent on air filters in the last,,,,,,,15 years? I'm not complaining.
K&N has worked great for what I do,,, Not as good as amsoil????? Maybe,,,,but it's better than a paper filter,,,easy to maintain,,,I don't have to run all over town,,,and thats worth it to me.
Although I do have something different on the 02 SS,,,,,it came with the SLP lid package,,,,and I think it's blue in color,,,but I can't remember if this is an oil type filter or not or what the brand is????,,,,it's still fairly new though,,,
Ok.....forget the cleaning & look at the filtration & flow vs. a cotton gauze, oil soaked K&N & tell me which would be better in an engine.Quote:
Originally Posted by LETHALxLS1
You have better filtration with better flow & all you gotta do is vacuum it out once in awhile. Five minute job vs. all day cleaning & waiting for it to dry.
Yeah......I want to put my K&N back in my car......sure I do!
they're blue. and yes, they need to be oiled.Quote:
Originally Posted by 35thAnniZ28
I dont doubt that amsoil makes good products but I think their claims are a little off,like I already mentioned. Since you believe everything they are shoveling let me ask you this- would you use their oil and only change it every 25,000 miles like they suggest? here is a quote from their site -Quote:
Originally Posted by rbob93
"the AMSOIL 25,000-mile/one-year motor oil drain interval, adding even more convenience for motorists by consolidating routine maintenance."
am I confused or are they saying they have a oil capable of going 25,000 before needing changed?
you guys crack me up, "all day cleaning a k&n and waiting for it to dry and oiling" ......it takes at most an hour, .........and 40 minutes of that hour is making sure its dry.....I cant imagine how long it takes you guys to change your engine oil....days? weeks? months?
honestly I dont know why anyone would want to wait and clean their filter until 25,000 miles has past. whether the filter can handle it or not.....dont you want to care for your vehicle somewhat. Maybe its just me, my ride is always clean,polished, waxed, fresh fluids, and in tip top shape.,.......maybe its just me
Quote:
Originally Posted by TransAm11973
I wouldnt wait 25,000 miles either-thats just what K@N reccomends which I am sure has a little bit to do with helping sales. When people read 25,000 miles before needing cleaned it makes it even more desirable. And yeah-it never took me "all day" to clean my K@N either. hhaha
We're talking air filters not oil.Quote:
Originally Posted by LETHALxLS1
Paper filters better that a K&N.
Nanofibers filter better than paper.
The Amsoil filter uses nanofibers.
Those are facts, not something someone has shoveled me.
You must be force drying it or allowing it to dry in the sun.Quote:
Originally Posted by TransAm11973
Not recommended by K&N.
To allow it to air dry naturally takes way more than 40 minutes.
Even if you could clean, dry & oil it in an hour, wouldn't a 5 minute cleaning be more desireable?
Actually it's because the dirtier the filter gets the better it filters.Quote:
Originally Posted by LETHALxLS1
The cotton gauze has very large holes in it. That's the reason for the oil, it helps trap the dirt.
The more dirt on the filter, the more the big holes get plugged up & the filter pases less dirt.
The more frequently you clean it, the more dirt you are feeding your engine.
But hey.....don't take my word for it.....do some research instead of buying into the K&N hype.
I understand we are talking about air filters and not oil but I brought up Amsoils claim about being able to go 25,000 miles on their oil before a change is needed to give an example as to why they may be a little off in their comparison to other filters etc. and why I dont buy everything they are saying-I already showed you where the chart had incorrect numbers about K@N filters so they could make their filter seem much more economical.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbob93
I dont need to do research I am happy with my air filter. You are telling me that a dirty filter works better then a brand new one hahaha OK-but a dirty filter also decreases airflow and increased airflow is the main reason people buy K@N filters. The oil is what aids the K@N in filtration in a clean filter-dirt isnt needed.I seriously doubt if any particles big enough to hurt anything can get through a K@N with the proper oil on it. Also- I had a car that I didnt run a air filter on at all and I got over 300,000 miles on it.(I didnt drive on dirt roads and still dont). I wonder if any particles got in that engine? hahahaha
[quote=LETHALxLS1;1213983]You are telling me that a dirty filter works better then a brand new one hahaha OK-but a dirty filter also decreases airflow and increased airflow is the main reason people buy K@N filters. The oil is what aids the K@N in filtration in a clean filter-dirt isnt needed./quote]
From the K&N website;
The dirt particles collected on the surface of a K&N element have little effect on air flow during much of its service life because there are no small holes to clog. Particles are stopped by layers of crisscrossed cotton fibers and held in suspension by the oil. As the filter begins to collect debris, an additional form of filter action begins to take place because air must first pass through the dirt particles trapped on the surface. That means a K&N air filter continues to exhibit high air flow throughout the life of the filter while it is accumulating dirt. At the same time, the air flow for an average paper air filter can decrease dramatically as the paper element gets dirty. So as dirt accumulates, the performance advantages of a K&N air filter can increase!
Keep the K&N.....I don't care personally.
You actually believe a dirty filter flows just as good as a clean one? hahaha-sorry I dont believe that just like I dont believe everything I read or everything people tell me. K@N says only clean it every 25,000 miles- I dont think thats a good idea IMO. Just like Amsoil says you can go 25,000 miles before changing oil with a oil they make-but even you know thats not a good idea and you would never let your oil go that long would you?
Bottom line is this-if you think Amsoil makes the greatest filter then use it-but dont act like if everyone doesnt ditch their K@N and put a Amsoil filter on there car they are fools. This thread has nothing to do with Amsoil filters or the best filters anyway-its about K@N filters. If you feel the need to tell everyone how superior Amsoil filters are then start a thread about it.
"You must be force drying it or allowing it to dry in the sun.
Not recommended by K&N.
To allow it to air dry naturally takes way more than 40 minutes.
Even if you could clean, dry & oil it in an hour, wouldn't a 5 minute cleaning be more desireable" - rrob93
NO I AM NOT FORCE DRYING IT. To allow it to dry fully doesnt take more than 40 minutes. And how would you know, you dont use K&N right because its soo horrible. Like I said before how long does it take you to change your engine oil? Months????
put it this way, I am sure both filters are good, and have their pros and cons. i highly doubt one is soo much better than the other. It just rediculous to think that cleaning and oiling a K&N is so bad that its a reason not to buy one. If you think that, I cant imagine what your car looks like, you must not put air in your tires, oil in your engine, trans fluid, brake fluid, or even gas for that matter. I mean gosh to do all that would take years to do and who has time for such things especially when one has to deal with cleaning a K&N filter......
Geez, besides what is stated above it's not like they need cleaned every other month. Guys really overclean these things.............
Don't be childish.Quote:
Originally Posted by TransAm11973
I provided info on an alternative filter media, nothing more.
If you are happy, fine, but no need to be childish.
my bad
haaha
I would just use the K&N oil and be safe.
:lmao::haha::right:Quote:
Originally Posted by TransAm11973
It's no big deal to clean. What I do is wash it in mild soap/water in the evening when I am in for the night. I leave it sit on the counter,,,and go to bed. I get up the next morning,,,squirt some oil and I'm good to go,,,whats the big deal? I didn't even loose any time drying it,,,,,I am in bed.
I think this cleaning is made out to be more than it really is,,,I mean common,,,has society really gotten that lazy?
I am sure amsoil is a good filter,,I'm not knocking it. But since I have used K&N for the last 20+ years and it's never let me down,,,I see no reason to change.
sounds like a good cleaning method