Cleaning an air filter?

[mattian]

Recently got myself a new K&N air filter. So far I've heard alot of hype about this product. Apparently it lasts forever. Thats yet to be seen.
As Im going to be cleaning it more and more often, rather than replacing it, would like to know how do you guys clean yours and what specific products do you use?

yes.. I have searched the threads

[Motu]

Don't clean it - they work best with a build up of dirt over them. They say 50,000 miles between cleaning - on a motorcycle that means practically forever. Just keep oiling them, not cleaning. If you must clean one (when the dirt is about 5mm thick) you can use the K&N cleaner (or any of the other clone cleaners...I have Green filter cleaner) or one of the industrial workshop cleaners. Best oil to use is K&N of course, but I've used everything from ATF to EP90 to ordinary filter oil.

[bsasuper]

Don't clean it - they work best with a build up of dirt over them. They say 50,000 miles between cleaning - on a motorcycle that means practically forever. Just keep oiling them, not cleaning. If you must clean one (when the dirt is about 5mm thick) you can use the K&N cleaner (or any of the other clone cleaners...I have Green filter cleaner) or one of the industrial workshop cleaners. Best oil to use is K&N of course, but I've used everything from ATF to EP90 to ordinary filter oil.

ERRRRR, you can leave yours with a 5mm thick build up, but I'd be checking it at least every 10,000k, and if needed clean and re oil it with the k&n recharge kit (repco etc sells it).I was once an avid K&N filter user, untill I found out how much dirt they DONT filter.(BMC are a much better filter if you want a re-useable,I hate to say)

[SMOKEU]

Foam air filters are best cleaned with plenty of turpentine. I put the filter in an empty 2L ice cream container so I don't waste as much turps. Don't wring it out, just squeeze it. Once you have most of the turps out I usually wash it with plenty of fresh water, then let it dry thoroughly.

After that you can soak it in air filter oil, and again, don't wring it out, just squeeze till you get as much oil as possible out. The filter is now good to go. And yes, if it's a road bike check it every 10,000km unless you ride on a lot of dusty or gravel roads.

[Motu]

One of the reasons they don't filter very well is that people clean them too much, they need that build up of dirt. These days I'd only use a K&N or clone if I couldn't use an OE filter.

[schrodingers cat]

I presume its a fabric concertina type filter?
Strickly speaking they flow better without oil but at the cost of increased engine wear.

Just buy a KnN filter cleaning kit with detergent and oil and FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Be gentle. Lots of cleaning per se won't hurt the filter but too much pressure or being too rough can damage the filter material.

Gentle. INSTRUCTIONS.

[Corse1]

Hmm I just checked mine after a ride to Whangamomona. Lots of dust on the gravel road section. 500km old DNA filter. Bloody hell that dust sticks. I am also wondering If I can use a K & N service kit on the DNA filter.
Of course they have the same instruction as every other product...YOU MUST USE ONLY DNA SERVICE KIT ON THIS FILTER OR YOU RISK DAMAGING THE FILTER MATERIAL

[schrodingers cat]

YOU MUST USE ONLY DNA SERVICE KIT ON THIS FILTER OR YOU RISK DAMAGING THE FILTER MATERIAL

All it is really is a biogdegradable detergent and a light oil. They're trying to stop you using solvents which can damage the filter material

Over-oiling the filter will make the dust stick worse.

PS Everybody. DON'T use compressed air on re-useable filters

[ducatilover]

PS Everybody. DON'T use compressed air on re-useable filters

Can open the pores too much on any filter...