When to clean a K&N filter.

terryd · 05-29-2017, 04:47 PM

I'm curious as to how you all determine when it's time to clean your K&N air filter. I have a Roaring Toyz BAK so the filter is unobstructed and easy to see. Since installing it about a month ago the red coloration from the oil is gone. Does that mean it's dirty and time to be cleaned or does it mean the the filter oil as been sucked out and just needs to be freshened up?

recumbentbob · 05-29-2017, 04:56 PM

That's normal just clean it once a year.

warrbucks222 · 05-29-2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terryd

I'm curious as to how you all determine when it's time to clean your K&N air filter. I have a Roaring Toyz BAK so the filter is unobstructed and easy to see. Since installing it about a month ago the red coloration from the oil is gone. Does that mean it's dirty and time to be cleaned or does it mean the the filter oil as been sucked out and just needs to be freshened up?

The k&n instructions for my '12 Nomad said clean it every 50,000 miles. I think that's crazy & will probably clean it 1x per year or every 8'10k miles. Stock filters lasted me about 8k.

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terryd · 05-29-2017, 07:43 PM

Thanks guys. I have since found this on the K&N site.

"Cleaning your K&N Air Filter is not required if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your K&N air filter is fine and does not yet need to be cleaned. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the air filter, it is time to clean it."

That seems pretty filthy to me, but I'm now confident I'm quite a ways away from needing to clean it.

ldhthept · 05-29-2017, 11:43 PM

I clean mine every oil change, I like the idea of it as clean as the oil...

**Sabre-t** · 05-30-2017, 01:02 AM

IMHO you can clean a K&N filter too often. They allow higher air flow, but also more small particles to pass thru. Just like some of air conditioner filter, they need to get a little dirty to actually be most effective. The oil and some "dirt" will catch the small particles better than oil alone. I inspect mine and if it doesn't have too many miles, too many dusty miles, and doesn't look too dirty, I don't clean it more often than every 2 years (I don't have 50K lifetime miles, much less that many between filter cleanings!).

**ringadingh** · 05-30-2017, 08:16 AM

I cleaned mine once a year only.

Scootergptx · 05-30-2017, 09:10 AM

If it's been a while and I get caught in a hard rain, I'll clean it then too.

VulcanE · 05-30-2017, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabre-t

IMHO you can clean a K&N filter too often. They allow higher air flow, but also more small particles to pass thru. Just like some of air conditioner filter, they need to get a little dirty to actually be most effective. The oil and some "dirt" will catch the small particles better than oil alone. I inspect mine and if it doesn't have too many miles, too many dusty miles, and doesn't look too dirty, I don't clean it more often than every 2 years (I don't have 50K lifetime miles, much less that many between filter cleanings!).

Exactly my thoughts too.

05-29-2017, 04:47 PM	#1
terryd Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Iowa Posts: 305	When to clean a K&N filter. I'm curious as to how you all determine when it's time to clean your K&N air filter. I have a Roaring Toyz BAK so the filter is unobstructed and easy to see. Since installing it about a month ago the red coloration from the oil is gone. Does that mean it's dirty and time to be cleaned or does it mean the the filter oil as been sucked out and just needs to be freshened up? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-29-2017, 04:56 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	That's normal just clean it once a year. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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05-29-2017, 11:43 PM	#5
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,039	I clean mine every oil change, I like the idea of it as clean as the oil... Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-30-2017, 08:16 AM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I cleaned mine once a year only. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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05-30-2017, 09:10 AM	#8
Scootergptx Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 654	If it's been a while and I get caught in a hard rain, I'll clean it then too. __________________ 2011 Vaquero V&H slip ons Roaring Toyz intake PCV (removed) Ivan's ECU flash
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05-29-2017, 07:43 PM	#4
terryd Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Iowa Posts: 305	Thanks guys. I have since found this on the K&N site. "Cleaning your K&N Air Filter is not required if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your K&N air filter is fine and does not yet need to be cleaned. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the air filter, it is time to clean it." That seems pretty filthy to me, but I'm now confident I'm quite a ways away from needing to clean it.
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05-30-2017, 01:02 AM	#6
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	IMHO you can clean a K&N filter too often. They allow higher air flow, but also more small particles to pass thru. Just like some of air conditioner filter, they need to get a little dirty to actually be most effective. The oil and some "dirt" will catch the small particles better than oil alone. I inspect mine and if it doesn't have too many miles, too many dusty miles, and doesn't look too dirty, I don't clean it more often than every 2 years (I don't have 50K lifetime miles, much less that many between filter cleanings!).
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