K&N Filter cleaning

[CaseyJ955]

Well, my used K&N filter arrived today ($22 shipped) caked with muck. I know K&N sells a kit that includes cleaner and filter oil and I purchased one years back. That kit is really not cheap and I went through plenty of cleaner and have the same filter oil I have had forever. The K&N oil is great sticky stuff and it only takes a small amount, I have found nothing better to use yet. For cleaning I have found that Castrol Super Clean works as well if not better, for a fraction of the cost. Besides I usually go through several bottles of cleaner for every bottle of oil.

 

I'm getting ready to throw it in and just felt compelled to share this in case it will save anyone some $$$.

[BlueSky]

The Venture carbs are so sensitive to changes in airfilter resistance, I wouldn't use a K&N filter. Additionally, I've read in many places that they don't filter as well as a paper filter. Just my

[CaseyJ955]

In regards to filtration a good quality paper filter is hard to beat. I live on a long dusty road so the reusable filters make sense, the K&N has done a good job of keeping the inside of the Vmax nice and squeaky clean so I hope it works here. I too have heard that K&N doesnt do quite the job of the paper but so far so good on the other bike.

 

I know the K&N will probably lean things out a bit, in fact I'm counting on it. Some combination of this and moving the needles inward should lean me out enough to see an improvement in MPG, or tell me that I'm heading in the wrong direction. I will use the restrictor plugs and play around with jetting if it goes that far but hopefully these few changes will get me closer to 40mpg. If nothing else I will learn some things about how the Venture differs from the Vmax in regards to tuning for power and MPG.

[camos]

  CaseyJ955 said:

Well, my used K&N filter arrived today ($22 shipped) caked with muck. I know K&N sells a kit that includes cleaner and filter oil and I purchased one years back. That kit is really not cheap and I went through plenty of cleaner and have the same filter oil I have had forever. The K&N oil is great sticky stuff and it only takes a small amount, I have found nothing better to use yet. For cleaning I have found that Castrol Super Clean works as well if not better, for a fraction of the cost. Besides I usually go through several bottles of cleaner for every bottle of oil.

I have an Emgo re-usable filter on my Virago and my 90 VR. It's similar to K&N but way less expensive. I use soap and water to clean it and ATF to oil the filter mesh. Seems to work OK although that is something that is difficult to be absolutely certain of.

[CaseyJ955]

  camos said:

I have an Emgo re-usable filter on my Virago and my 90 VR. It's similar to K&N but way less expensive. I use soap and water to clean it and ATF to oil the filter mesh. Seems to work OK although that is something that is difficult to be absolutely certain of.

 

I would not have been opposed to a cheaper filter. I'm not hung up on names as long as I get quality. This K&N was used, dirty and impossibly cheap on Ebay so I went with it. I have heard of others using Dawn and hot water but not tried it.

 

I have yet to try ATF but nice to know it works. The K&N oil is really sticky and gooey, and a little does go a very long way so I find it cost effective, as opposed to their cleanser which seems absurdly priced for how quickly it gets used up compared to the oil.

 

I'm going to get a dab of K&N oil and compared it to the ATF just too see how they differ.

[camos]

  CaseyJ955 said:

I'm going to get a dab of K&N oil and compared it to the ATF just too see how they differ.

I don't think they compare very closely. The ATF is quite runny but it is oil and it does trap dirt. Probably the most important aspect of the filter sponge is there is no direct route through it so air will be bouncing off the cells and changing direction as it passes through. Olive oil might work just as well.

[djh3]

Any soap that degreases is OK. The specific cleaner, dawn, purple power should all work fine. As far as the oil goes, you probably stay with the oils made for filters. Regular pertolium based products have a tendency to eat rubber type items. I have myself used WD40 on the filters before. But I now stay with the K&N stuff and also have a can of PJ1 I think it is or Kal Gaurd

[jasonm.]

FYI- 1st gen the darn base gaskets often come loose if you over oil the filter. K&N sells the gasket #09970 . ~$10. Also you MUST use a sealing grease to seal that gasket to the bottom on the air box. Some of you are probably saying ...."what?" It's a fact this filter never seals completely w/o using K&N sealing grease or hi-temp possibly waterproof grease. I have had my filter for 28 years and 94k miles and had to replace it because I accidentally stepped on it....OOPS. I have also seen filters with low miles and the gasket just comes off. The above is fact. My latest was half off when I got it new last year. K&N was nice and sent me a gasket no charge. When I cleaned the base and installed it. Then I put gasket face down on table sticky up, then filter engaged and a few books on filter for hours to insure is stuck. FYI- cleaning I have used Simple Green 2 times... it's strong stuff for degreasing. Works w/o issue

Edited June 22, 2017 by jasonm.

[utadventure]

I have a K & N filter in my '86 and also have shimmed the needles. Runs great!

 

I just cleaned mine this afternoon with Dawn and it worked great. Just a couple of things, let it the soap soak but not dry on the filter and rinse from the inside of the filter pushing the dirt and oil out.

 

Dave

[Rafterd]

You can also use a product called Totally Awsome at the dollar store for a dollar. Works great.