How to Clean the Cold Air Intake Filter

(Suitable for retrofitting high-flow air filters or oil filters, such as K&N, BMC and other brands)

Cleaning steps

1. Safety preparation

• Turn off and cool: Make sure the engine is completely shut down to avoid burns or accidental starting.

• Remove the filter:

 Find the cold air intake system (usually connected to the throttle body, with a conical or cylindrical filter element).

Loosen the fixing clamp or screw and carefully remove the filter element (pay attention to the direction of the intake pipe).

2. Preliminary dust removal

• Use compressed air (pressure ≤ 2 bar) to blow from the inside to the outside of the filter element to remove large particles of dust.

• Or tap the filter element to remove loose dust (avoid excessive force to damage the filter material).

3. Deep cleaning (special method for oil filter elements)

• Spraying detergent:

Use a special filter element cleaner (such as K&N cleaner) to spray evenly inside and outside, and let it stand for 10 minutes to dissolve the oil.

• Gentle rinse:

Rinse from the inside to the outside with normal temperature water (no hot water!) until the water flow becomes clear.

Stubborn stains can be gently brushed with a soft brush (do not use a hard brush or a high-pressure water gun).

4. Drying and oiling

• Drying naturally:

Place in a cool and ventilated place to dry thoroughly (at least 24 hours to ensure that no moisture remains).

Do not expose to the sun, bake or blow dry with compressed air (may damage the fiber structure).

• Re-oiling:

Spray special filter oil (such as K&N filter oil) and evenly cover the surface of the filter material (light red).

Let it stand for 20 minutes to allow the oil to penetrate, and wipe off excess oil stains (excess oil may contaminate the sensor).

5. Installation and resetting

• Check whether the seal ring on the edge of the filter element is intact, and reinstall the intake pipe in the original direction.

• Tighten the clamp/screw to ensure there is no leakage (leakage will cause unfiltered air to enter the engine).

Notes

1. Only for oil-type/washable filter elements:

Ordinary paper filter elements cannot be washed and need to be replaced directly!

2. Prohibited cleaning agents:

Avoid gasoline, engine oil, and carburetor cleaners (corrosion of filter materials).

3. Frequency recommendations:

Clean every 5,000-8,000 kilometers or according to driving environment (dusty/off-road requires shorter cycles).

4. Risk of incorrect operation:

Incomplete drying or excessive oiling will increase intake resistance and affect engine performance.

Poor quality filter oil may clog the filter material or contaminate the MAF (air flow meter).

FAQ

1. Can it be cleaned with soapy water?

→ Neutral detergent can temporarily replace special detergent, but it must be rinsed thoroughly and special filter oil must be used.

2. Is the engine fault light on after cleaning?

→ It may be that the filter oil is excessive and contaminated by the sensor. Just wipe the air flow meter with MAF cleaner.

3. What should I do if the filter element is deformed/damaged?

→ Replace it immediately! A damaged filter element will cause dust to enter the engine and cause severe wear.

Regular cleaning of the cold air intake filter element can improve the engine's intake efficiency, but it is essential to operate in accordance with the specifications! If you are not sure about the type of filter element, it is recommended that you refer to the product manual or consult a professional modification store.

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