K & N Air Filter

[stratnick]

Since my I/S was running rough I decided to check the air filter. When I pulled the filter from the top of the airbox about 30 corn kernals fell out and it appears that a mouse made a home on top of the foam pre filter. Thankfully the little critter didn't chew up the foam. The actual filter is quite dirty. My question is: With a K & N filter, do you replace any of it or clean it. I know on cages etc. your just clean it and put it back. Is it the same with this one?
Thanks again for any help!
Nathan

[NITRO]

Clean the filter, then oil it and reinstall. K&N probably has directions on their website, but I know their filter cleaner and oil have directions on them as well.

[Cholla]

Like Mr. Nitro says, you can clean your K&N.  I've got one too and I probably clean it every couple of years.   You'll need to buy what they call a "recharge kit" from K&N (local auto parts store should have it) which includes a spray bottle of liquid detergent and an aerosol can of oil.  Directions are included and are pretty simple.  Just know beforehand that you'll rinse the dirt out of the filter with water in the sink and they want you to let it air dry completely before spraying the oil on.  I let mine set overnight by an open window with a breeze and it was dry in the morning...

Good luck!! 

[stratnick]

Thank you guys for the info!

[cookiedough]

Just make sure you let it dry overnight after rinsing with water thoroughly so no more dirt comes out of it and water comes out looking clean.  After rinsing with water, I pat the k&n air filters dry with a few paper towels until it is pretty dry, but cannot hurt to let it sit overnight so it is completely dry before you spray VERY LIGHTLY with the recharge oil spray can by K&N.  Just make sure you do NOT overspray the K&N recharge oil spray can onto the K&N air filter so that the oil is dripping.  It should only take enough light sprays with the oil recharge squirt bottle to lightly coat  the air filter to pinkish red.  Less squirts of oil is better than totally soaking wet with oil since you do not want excess oil oozing out of the K&N air filter and damaging your engine.

[El Borrego]

I've run K&N air filter in my Dodge diesel for years, same filter.  If you thoroughly clean the filter with the cleaning solution as per the recharge kit instructions, the filter material will be a light gray color.  After it thoroughly dries, at least overnight, spray it with the oil from the kit and it should turn a faded red.  That's the indicator that sufficient oil has been deposited in the filter.  Recharge kit is only about $10 from your Wal-Mart or auto supply store.  I'm thinking of going to K&N for my Valkyrie next time around.

In my diesel I keep a standard air filter so while the K&N is being serviced I can still use the truck.  However, the air filter is easy to get to so no great job in interchanging the air filters.

[cookiedough]

I got lucky when I got my K&N air filter for my Valk at my local Honda cycle dealer that is usually really high in price.  I just happened to be at the right place at the right time it was in the clearance bin new unopened for around 50 bucks probably since not many Valks around the area.   Good thing also is I think it will require less cleaning intervals unlike replacing the stock Honda air filter nothing wrong with that either but needs replacing every 20-25K or so.  My stock Honda air filter was OEM since new in 2001 and when I went to replace it around 17K miles total on bike about 2-3 years ago, it was in pretty dirty shape that needing replacing already with only 17K miles but around 8 years old on OEM air filter.

[ValkThree]

I installed a K&N on my 1800 this spring - It has a lifetime warranty and never needs to be replaced only serviced every 50k.
My factory OEM lasted over 100k and I only checked it at 50k and 100k.

Key thing is to add screens to all airbox openings to keep those mice and hedge hogs out of this area. Urine and metal parts do not play well.