Cleaning and oiling a K&N panel

**DNS** · 9th December 2008, 03:15

I fitted a K&N in my 1.8 petrol Vec about 6 months ago and haven't touched it since.

I've got no problems with it at all (good economy/performance etc), just wondered how often I should take it out and clean and re-oil it.

Any advice much appreciated, always used disposible filters before.

**dh.dti** · 9th December 2008, 11:17

I've always done mine a couple of times a year.
I have a paper filter to put in when ever the K&N is being cleaned.
Just remember when cleaning, make sure its dry before oiling & do not over oil

**merikiito** · 9th December 2008, 11:55

And dont force dry it, ie use a hairdryer or put in it on a Rad.
You need the K and N cleaning kit as well, has a bottle of cleaner and a bottle of oil.
Need to do mine as well

**wickedwillie** · 9th December 2008, 13:16

I plan to leave mine for at least 2 years between cleaning (approx 10k miles/year for me), maybe I will stretch this to 3 years. Do not see any point in doing it sooner as the environment I drive in is never particularly dustie.

**Silentknight** · 15th February 2009, 13:00

I just checked this on K&N's website. They say that oiling a panel filter at every 50k miles is ok, and that the trapped dirt does help the filter to work!!??

http://www.aptfast.com/KN_Additional...leaning_KN.htm

Only needs to be oiled more often if you drive in a paticularly dusty enviroment. i.e around construction sites etc.

I'm quite glad as I haven't done mine at all, it has been installed since june 2007. Was oringinally thinking it needed to be done every year!

**wickedwillie** · 15th February 2009, 13:21

Originally Posted by Silentknight

I just checked this on K&N's website. They say that oiling a panel filter at every 50k miles is ok, and that the trapped dirt does help the filter to work!!??

http://www.aptfast.com/KN_Additional...leaning_KN.htm

Only needs to be oiled more often if you drive in a paticularly dusty enviroment. i.e around construction sites etc.

I'm quite glad as I haven't done mine at all, it has been installed since june 2007. Was oringinally thinking it needed to be done every year!

Completely agree

**cameraman** · 15th February 2009, 13:47

Bearing in mind that VX don't replace the paper one until 80,000 I woudn't be too worried if it's only been on 6 months

**gregc** · 15th February 2009, 14:47

clean mine every 10K Miles habit really from when i'v had 57i's on other cars

**Stuarty** · 15th February 2009, 18:50

I have never re oiled a k&n panel or induction kit usualy just fire up the compressor and give it a good blowout have heard alot of stories about oily deposits causing MAF failures.