SE Air Cleaner Filter Cleaning
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3,175
From: Central Indiana
The paperwork that comes with it says to use the K&N filter cleaner. Actually, it does not say that, it says "clean with part #XXXXXXX", and the part number is the same part number for the K&N cleaner. Mine never looked clean enough for me, so I replaced it with the K&N, I think it was 50 bucks. Make sure you get the one for stage one, the mounting holes are different. I don't oil the K&N filters either...when I worked for a parts chain the K&N rep showed me how much better the filtration is even dry, that was enough for me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
The paperwork that comes with it says to use the K&N filter cleaner. Actually, it does not say that, it says "clean with part #XXXXXXX", and the part number is the same part number for the K&N cleaner. Mine never looked clean enough for me, so I replaced it with the K&N, I think it was 50 bucks. Make sure you get the one for stage one, the mounting holes are different. I don't oil the K&N filters either...when I worked for a parts chain the K&N rep showed me how much better the filtration is even dry, that was enough for me.
"10. Do K&N air filters come pre-oiled or must they be oiled before using?
Almost all K&N air filters come pre-oiled and ready to use. The filter oil we use is red. A new oiled filter will appear red-pink in color. Some crankcase vent air filters come unoiled, however, they come with a small packet of K&N filter oil so they can be oiled before use. There are also a limited number of filters with specialty uses which are not pre-oiled. These items will be clearly marked as unoiled. Using an unoiled K&N filter will greatly reduce the filter's efficiency and void our product warranty on filters that come pre-oiled from the factory. If you receive a filter that is packaged in its cellophane wrapper and is unoiled, contact K&N's Customer Support department at (800) 858-3333. "
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
The K&N brand cleaner is the best water soluble degreaser I've ever encountered. I use it on other things to clean off oil.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
From my experience with a K&N filter in a Blazer, I wouldn't put one on my Harley. I had the one in my Blazer for quite a while and it passed what I would consider a fair bit of dirt, a good friend of mine who is a mechanic pointed out how dirty the intake was past the filter when he was working on my vehicle. I guess the only way to have the best flowing filter is to have the least restrictive one which will also allow more particles to pass through. And yes it was properly serviced and re-oiled with a K&N Recharger filter cleaning kit.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
From my experience with a K&N filter in a Blazer, I wouldn't put one on my Harley. I had the one in my Blazer for quite a while and it passed what I would consider a fair bit of dirt, a good friend of mine who is a mechanic pointed out how dirty the intake was past the filter when he was working on my vehicle. I guess the only way to have the best flowing filter is to have the least restrictive one which will also allow more particles to pass through. And yes it was properly serviced and re-oiled with a K&N Recharger filter cleaning kit.
Two extremes:
No filter - no increase in flow impedance.
A sheet of plastic, no air flow and no dirt. Everything else is something in between.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 683
From: Forest Hill, Md
What does the warranty cover? I ask because the foam rubber gasket that the air cleaner cover touches is all but coming off of mine, Probably not a big deal but... and I guess I'd need the receipt from god knows when I put that thing on...
Stage III
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
here is a question...if the paper filter flows 1/2 of the air as a oiled/cloth filter...couldn't you just put a paper filter with twice the surface area on and get the same results with better filtration???..or something like that...it seems to me that you could just design a paper filter with pleats twice as deep as the cloth filter and get the same flow (I am using 1/2 half the flow just as an example) ...So, I guess that the reason [they] don't do it is that the minor amount of very small particles that do pass the filter as not the size etc. of particle that does much damage to the engine...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3,175
From: Central Indiana
When the rep showed you was it simply a filter out of the box - 'cause:
"10. Do K&N air filters come pre-oiled or must they be oiled before using?
Almost all K&N air filters come pre-oiled and ready to use. The filter oil we use is red. A new oiled filter will appear red-pink in color. Some crankcase vent air filters come unoiled, however, they come with a small packet of K&N filter oil so they can be oiled before use. There are also a limited number of filters with specialty uses which are not pre-oiled. These items will be clearly marked as unoiled. Using an unoiled K&N filter will greatly reduce the filter's efficiency and void our product warranty on filters that come pre-oiled from the factory. If you receive a filter that is packaged in its cellophane wrapper and is unoiled, contact K&N's Customer Support department at (800) 858-3333. "
"10. Do K&N air filters come pre-oiled or must they be oiled before using?
Almost all K&N air filters come pre-oiled and ready to use. The filter oil we use is red. A new oiled filter will appear red-pink in color. Some crankcase vent air filters come unoiled, however, they come with a small packet of K&N filter oil so they can be oiled before use. There are also a limited number of filters with specialty uses which are not pre-oiled. These items will be clearly marked as unoiled. Using an unoiled K&N filter will greatly reduce the filter's efficiency and void our product warranty on filters that come pre-oiled from the factory. If you receive a filter that is packaged in its cellophane wrapper and is unoiled, contact K&N's Customer Support department at (800) 858-3333. "
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 66
From: Reading, PA
Took my lifted Wrangler to Moab, Utah and tried a K&N on my aftermarket intake. After 3 days I went to clean the engine and looked into the intake and couldn't believe all the fine particles that got through that filter. The intake was coated with dust! Washed and dried it and put a hi-flow paper filter on and ran for another 4 days out there and then drove back to NH. When we got back I removed the filter and the intake was spotless! You pay the price for the K&N in more ways than one. I will never use another one! I just purchase a good hi-flow paper one. You may spend more in the long run replacing a paper filter, but at least it keeps the crap out of your engine.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas Area
Dawn dishwashing detergent and warm water. Let it soak a while, then just move it back and forth in the soapy water until it's clean. Rinse it very well, shake as much of the water out as possible and then let it air dry completely. I put mine on the floor in front of a fan and it dries pretty fast.
Ride safe!
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