Cone filter... clean it!

[jayupark]

Hey y'all.

I noticed that I was getting much lower gas mileage so I decided to clean my cone filter for my CAI... I had not cleaned it for at least 8 monthes.

It was nasty dirty, when I poured water into it, it held it like a bowl would!

Below is a very simple DIY, no pics, sorry. Note, this is for the cloth/fabric filters only. If you do this to a paper filter, kiss it goodbye.

Steps:
1. Brush off outside of cone filter with an old toothbrush (getting out the nasty flies, dirt, etc)
2. Rinse out cone filter from the inside out using a hose or kitchen sink (outside or in a big sink so you don't make a mess)
3. Spray (soak) the cone filter with K&N cleaning detergent (or a water dillutrion of strong laundry detergent that has NO additives such as bleach or fabric softener or whatever).
4. Let soaked filter sit soaked for at least 10 mins (I'm letting mine soak right now).
5. Rinse out filter again, once again from the inside out.
(Repeat steps 3-5 if needed)
6. Let filter dry for a couple of hours at least (if you can't wait, gently use a blow dryer (very gently, never let the filter get hot!!) it's really recommended that you do this when you have time to let it air dry though).
7. Spray the filter with K&N filter oil, or a compatible lightweight oil
8. wipe off excess oil
9. Reinstall filter.

Time to go do steps 5-9.

Take Care eh?

[jalmir]

you should add that it may need step 3 to 5 more than once if the filter is too dirty (mine was, and 1 cleaning wasn't enough!)

[hyunelan2]

FYI: According to K&N you should never use a blow dryer or other heat source to dry the filter - it can cause the filter material to shrink. (Like putting a knit sweater through the dryer)

Thanks for the reminder that I need to clean my K&N panel filter. s

[BobMs_wht2k2]

I do it every Spring, mid summer and fall. So much crap comes into that fender well.

[elantra_mann84]

that filter was the same looking filter i used to have. i personally dont like the center cone more area for things to hide.

[06elantra]

where i live, we are near a whole heap of coal mines....
after 1week, my orginally red K&N cone filter.. turned to black...
(this was on my old car - my daewoo...)

K&N filters come with instructions on the box on how to clean them dont they? i know mine does - im looking at the box right now :)

[jayupark]

yup, instructions on the box. But the filter cleaner is expensive. This was more for ppl that don't have the kit. A light weight oil will work fine too... Don't use WD-40 though.

[joph09]

hmm I thought you were supposed to use the oil on cone filters unless otherwise instructed (K&N)to the generic ones you get from ebay with the accord cai. The fabric/cloth wasn't made for the oiling.

[FordFasteRR]

I had to clean mine once every month or 2 ... it would ge VERY dirty...

I had a CAI of course... so it was even worse !

[jayupark]

hmm I thought you were supposed to use the oil on cone filters unless otherwise instructed (K&N)to the generic ones you get from ebay with the accord cai. The fabric/cloth wasn't made for the oiling.

hmmm, not 100% sure on that. I've had 3 different filters (cloth but not K&N) and oiled them all with no problems.