K&N air filter cleaning

jbartol · May 24, 2004

Folks,

It's time to pull the K&N filter outta my 98 Tahoe (w/the K&N FIPK), and CLEAN IT.

I'm faced with a medium-sized problem...

While the filter is out of the truck being cleaned (and being dried, and being "re-charged"), I can't drive it, right???

I've thought about buying another filter which could be "charged" with oil, and ready to go at all times.

I guess I'm wondering how you folks would handle this situation (or, if you've faced the same problem).

It seems to me that I'd have to pull the filter out at home, after a day of work. Clean it, and let it dry overnight, then re-charge it, and THEN re-install it. What happens if I have to drive the truck BEFORE it's ready??? Of course, I'd have to drive the truck before the filter is "ready" to go back in!

See my problem???

A second filter, or a second vehicle would solve this issue, but both of those ideas are pricey (but, I'd be willing to aquire another filter for the convenience it would provide).

Who has an opinion on this issue??? Post here!

Thanks,

JB

OUMike · May 24, 2004

Maybe try getting a cheapy air filter just until the K&N is ready to go?

jbartol · May 24, 2004

nice idea, but finding a cheap "something" that would fit on the FIPK intake tube (in the airbox), might be easier said than done.

i'm searching now for a second k&n filter.

thanks for the response!

-jb

AZ-Z71 · May 24, 2004

Yeah just did mine this weekend on a Saturday. Started about 1pm wasn't done until about 5pm. The drying time is what kills you. Luckily I live in AZ where it is pretty dry so I put mine in the sun for a few hours. Doing it at night would take a little longer without the sun.

So you can maybe do it over a weekend if you not going to use the vehicle. I would under no circumstances run the truck with out the filter. Mine had some small debri in it like some small leaves, small pebbles and the like. Don't want that in the engine.

The other option is to buy a second filter and have it ready. A lot of guys that have ATV and Motorcycles do that. Have one ready and you can wash the other one at your convience. What they do is to have one prepared and oiled then place it in a tupperware container until they are ready for it. Prevents it from rolling around the garage floor and getting dirty.

tmf6902 · May 24, 2004

I just clean it, let it drip dry for a little bit and re-oil it. I've never let it sit around till it completely dry. I guess the way I look at it is your oiling it. The oil will force out the water. I've never had any problems with it doing it that way....total cleaning time usually takes about an hour??? Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but it works fine.

GMCSierra04 · May 24, 2004

The way I did mine was to spray it down with the cleaning soulution, let it sit for 5 mins, rinse it from cleanest side to the other side, shake it dry to get the majority of the water out, then take my air hose with low/moderate air pressure blow out the rest of the water. Then finish up by re-oiling it but be careful not to put too much oil on it. You don't want to oil it until it is completly dry, I think the instructions tell you to do it that way too. It only took me like 15 mins to finish it, good luck.

Butch 02 Denali · May 24, 2004

I never let mine dry completly either, wash it, shake it out, let drip dry for an hour, oil and let sit on paper towels for 10 minuets or so, then put back in. Anyway, when you drive in the rain it's getting wet and it doesn't seem to affect anything.

Tmf6902, what size flux capacitors are you running? Did they help in the modulation of the fradiscan?

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

GMCSierra04 · May 24, 2004

It doesnt't matter when you drive in the rain, no water gets into the air box. Mine got a few drops in it cause I cut the side off but still, nothing thats gonna get into the filter.

tmf6902 · May 24, 2004

I found this kinda interesting, I took out my recharger box and read the instructions....Step 3 Rinse off: blah blah blah....flush from the clean side...blah blahg blah....Step 4 Squeeze Oiling......"After cleaning filter, always re-oil before using...blah blah blah..... No mention of letting it dry completely.....

BUT.....in the goofy sticker that you put on the truck to let your mechanic know not to throw it away It says "To Service: Soak in K&N filter cleaner, rinse with water, DRY COMPLETELY (Not with compressed air LOL), re oil with K&N filter oil"

So which one is right....I guess we all are.....I've never read the sticker before So I just never let it dry completely....maybe someone should call up K&N and see which set of instructions is correct, since they sent all of us two.

TMF

03GMCinBC · May 24, 2004

HHHmmmm

Im glad I checked this thread out. Im doing mine this weekend. I will go with the air compressor idea too i think.

jbartol · May 24, 2004

my previous experience has only been with letting the thing dry, then re-oiling. i did this back when i was a porsche owner, and had two cars. i simply drove the "beater" around until the porsche filter was dry enough to be re-oiled, and then re-installed.

anyway, i just ordered a new cone filter from k&n (performanceproducts.com) for $55.00 for my tahoe.

i guess i'll NOW be able to rotate them, and then clean and re-charge at my convenience!

...gotta love it!

it IS interesting, however that k&n's own instructs differ.

thanks for the post.

-jb

Butch 02 Denali · May 24, 2004

HHHmmmm

Im glad I checked this thread out. Im doing mine this weekend. I will go with the air compressor idea too i think.

Be VERY carefull with the compressed air!!! K&N says don't do it! You will blow holes in the cotten gauze the K&N is made from. You'd be surprised how much water the engine sucks in when driving in the rain, or even fog!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

BlackonBlack · May 25, 2004

I usually will clean my filter while I am washing the truck, Just take the filter out first and get it washed out and it is drying while you are washing the truck...

Rookie · May 25, 2004

I dont have a fipkit but i just took the lid off my stock air box. When i need to clean it i let it drip dry and put the stock filter in for a day or two. On my old truck when i needed it quick i would hook the shop vac up. in stead of sucking I would have it blow. ( no comments ). This dried it out quickly and with out the harshness of compressed air. It worked great.

Mort · May 27, 2004

A space heater with a fan or a hair dryer would make quick work of drying the filter if you want to speed the process up. Be careful not to melt any of the rubber parts or burn the cotton guaze. The hair dryer would be safer and faster because it has a higher speed fan, less total heat and can be directed as needed.