How to Clean and Re-Oil Your Air Filter

[@barrypederson5793]

This is 100000% better video than K&N actual video

[@bajalife4ever]

The French guy is so professional.

[@DB-qm4jx]

I thought he was German

[@glidesense]

oui

[@Toothless69420]

@@DB-qm4jx sounded german

[@mechwatchdog]

Americans are such suckers for people talking with exotic accents

[@renderedpixels4300]

@@Toothless69420 nah the french have an inflection that the germans dont

[@senatorchinchilla5389]

I had no idea the oil was the red part, not the filter. Great vid!

[@nosefirst]

Having two Banks filters and alternating them between oil changes is a good idea for Banks too.

[@2008mjb]

Come on everyone. Anyone you know that works on their own vehicles needs to see this. I am willing to bet that a very high percentage of people are way off on the oil amounts.

[@jeepmanxj]

Oiled filters are awful. Use dry filters.

[@Mehoff1211]

From here on out everytime I clean my filter, I will use this Accent

[@PoWSkateboy]

Thats funny shit man!

[@Gr8peApe]

I join the tradition with ya

[@DeputyDazzle]

😂

[@jroncallo]

Excellent video. Much better explanation than what Ive seen elsewhere. One comment, The new K&N oil bottles, that I just received today, do not come with the volumetric graduation on the side. This caused me to mess up on my first try. I ended up dumping the bottle out and putting a measured amount back in. But with no visual means of telling how much I was putting on, I found I emptied the bottle after only going around 1/3 of the way. Consequently I had to re-wash and now waiting for it to dry. But my car has two filters so on the second filter I speed up the application and did every other pleat. With every other pleat oiled I continued on to the pleats in between and ran out just as I competed the full turn. Doing every other pleat helps keeping from over oiling, as shown in the video it will wick quickly to the rest of the pleats if you run out.

[@MrHeHim]

Make sure to clean your MAF after a few 100 miles with a wet filter when first installing or re-oiling. Found that out a LONG time ago when i first installed one on a Supra i had back in the early 00's. My throttle response was off and MPG in city driving was poor. Checked for intake leaks and noticed the intake runners had a very light film on them, traced it back to the filter and cleaned the MAF fixing the issues.

[@Domman56]

The aerosol oil can is the way to go. Always easy to properly reoil

[@pgmurray76]

The man doing the oil knows - if it is clean and dry, the oil will wick and spread. I like how they know the volume of oil for the thickness and surface area of the particular filter. Use of time and gravity too - Excellent!

[@paulbenderavich3833]

Throughout the years I had both dry and oiled filters. Truthfully, I didn't see a difference in performance one vs the other. Than again, I'm not racing my trucks at the track. The oiled obviously requires a bit more attention. It's also not a bad idea to have a secondary filter to throw in interm, while the other drys properly.

[@Markes12344_L]

first time I cleaned my oiled BANKS filter I was online ordering a second one with a spare sock. Hot swap durring an oil change and washing the filter at a later date is alot more convenient. I'd like to see the numbers, buht i'd put money on oil filters having a higher micron filtration level to them. Keepin the finner dust out of the engine

[@paulbenderavich3833]

@@Markes12344_L no doubt the oiled will catch a lower micron level.

[@Garth2011]

@@paulbenderavich3833 Very true however, they will also get dirty faster and require cleaning more often. It goes with the territory.

[@danieledwards1081]

@@Markes12344_L it's less to do with the micron level and more to do with the oil actively grabbing hold of particle contaminants, think of it more like the modern day take on an oil bath air cleaner

[@opaandomascampingadventures]

I use the spray can of oil only spraying the outside of the pleats. It wicks very well.

[@travisgilbertson9946]

This just re-enforces what I think about gauze air filters. Paper disposable ones are easily replaced. Pretty much everyone I know who has a reusable one drives around with a half plugged filter most of the time. Nobody feels like cleaning their air filter.

[@t_c5266]

Not only that, the gauze ones let tons more dirt in. Useless.

[@mikekuschka998]

​@@t_c5266 depends on the filter media and the density. I have an Airaid Synthamax filter. It is rated for 4micron. It is a cone filter. It is a larger filter while filtering like a stock unit.

[@t_c5266]

@@mikekuschka998 If its rated by the company, it can be considered a moot point until lab testing is done by an unbiased 3rd party. I also tried to look that company up and verify your claim, the only reference to filter size is on their wraps, not the filters. and the specific "non-woven synthetic" doesnt have any readily available info on it either

[@darrylsjodin7184]

I am agreeing with you. I have a dry AFE filter on my Corvette and the inside of the air duct down stream of the filter is filthy, so it’s not filtering. I’m trying adding an oil foam wrap as a pre filter. At least the Corvette isn’t a daily driver.

[@heisenberg3868]

You guys just can’t take care of their car’s

[@Thomato80]

Thank you! Very useful information. Also, I love the French-american accent. 😁 Merci beaucoup !

[@lolzlarkin3059]

I'd like to see some actual tests comparing oiled and dry filters. Diff cover stylee

[@Markes12344_L]

i can see @projectfarm doing this, he's already tested reg filters to KnN. I feel the difference will be oiled filters may trap more dust on the micron level, verses dry filters

[@t_c5266]

@@Markes12344_L it was actually the exact opposite. Oil filters let more dirt through on all levels

[@definitelydipper595]

Most modern cars do not like oiled filters. The suction created by the engine through the filter pulls oil through and coats the mass air flow sensor, messing up its ability to read correctly. Not to mention it’s far far easier to maintain a dry filter.

[@Bunna08]

@@definitelydipper595 i think youll find thats by design and part of the job of the 'closed' pcv system to regulate the blow by

[@definitelydipper595]

@@Bunna08 this has nothing to do with PCV systems. I’m talking before any of this air enters the engine, it goes through oiled filter media, pulls oil through the filter and coats the mass air flow sensor, hampering it’s ability to read correctly. Which usually means it ends up running way richer than it should.

[@PorscheRacer14]

Actually did this a few weeks ago on my Banks oiled filter for the first time. Glad to see I got it right, but it's not that hard to do. I might have to look into that pre-filter though out around the farm.

[@Markes12344_L]

hands down much better, all the large debris and bugs never get stuck in the pleats anymore. I wouldn't go back to a filter without a prefilter sac

[@usocrazy6133]

Awesome, thank you! When is the Derringer coming out for the 2012 Cummins?

[@onefastcyclist]

Thank you - Banks leads the RIGHT way again

[@Luckingsworth]

If you live in an area like mine I would highly recommend finishing the cleaning by dunking the filter in deionized water or else you will build up minerals like calcium and iron over time ruining the filter.

[@Markes12344_L]

makes sense actually, same reason why you should put distilled water in the rad n not the well water

[@Garth2011]

Very true...distilled water is now very expensive so the cost of that needs computed into the maintance expense. Maybe a 1 gallon jug of drinking water will work.

[@JH-ic1cn]

You must be in FL. So what I do is pickup a RV water filter from Walmart, attach it to my hose and it removes all the calcium and iron.

[@t_c5266]

Dunk it in water, then throw it in the trash. Oiled filters let so much crap into your engine

[@DiF44]

Los filtros que son planos y no conicos como el del video se le aplica por los dos lados o solo por uno?

[@ronaldrussell5481]

Thank you. Nice explanation and demonstration.

[@bankspower]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching.

[@QuandOnMonnecomptepas]

Thank you for this very explicit video about Air Filter Maintenance. BTW Like you're french accent ;)

[@Ultrajamz]

Thinking of moving away from oil. Never feels like I get the right amount of oil on it, too much or too little, and then it gets on the MAF or creates more soot at the throttle body. Edit: The calculator is cool! The k&n kits I used to use were spray can or bottle and didnt have those markings.

[@bankspower]

We created this video just for you. Give the Re-Oiling Calculator a try! bnks.pw/oilcalculator

[@KendrasEdge757]

As long as you let it dry, and don’t put too much oil on the filter, it won’t effect any sensors

[@vadrifter3200]

I’ve had a Banks oiled filter on my LB7 for about 14 years. I do have a spare one that I rotate once per year. I’ve yet to replace the MAF sensor. Over oiling will mess up the sensor so I’m told. I always let the freshly cleaned one sit at least overnight and wipe out any excess before it goes back on the truck.

[@madk4speed]

I do this by applying oil across the length of every pleat, start to end. The nozzle of the oil bottle seems ideal for this. It's a quite easy process. If you increase boost, you can use sensors across the air intake path in order to measure the pressure drop at every stage. If your OEM filter proves to be too restrictive, I am in favour of an aftermarket like K&N. Caterpillar marine engines use such filters from the factory. But if you drive in dusty/desert conditions, maybe better stick with OEM filter and change more often, before pressure drop becomes too much causing increased fuel consumption, reduced performance and sucking turbo cartridge oil in the intake.

[@DavidTMSN]

What do you mean by "pressure drop?"

[@agondokusumo-111]

Would the calculator worked with K&N panel filter too?

[@ronaldrussell5481]

yes, it's just figuring the surface area using basic geometry. How they figure the oil amount/area is their secrete.

[@kingranch8516]

When are you guys going to make a cold air intake for the 2018 f250 6.2?

[@2down4up]

I dunno what’s in the K&N air filter cleaner but it smells, looks, feels, and cleans exactly like Spray 9. I’ve used spray nine to clean all 4 of my K&N air filters for well over a decade now. Works great and is much cheaper then the K&N branded cleaner. Always use the. K&N oil though.

[@stuartloh4582]

Last week went for service, mechanic listed original filter was same price as K&N’s drop in filter, so what is your advice?

[@fidelmontollaiii7866]

how does extreme cold weather effect the filter oil ability to trap dust ? is it still effective at -20 f or is a dry filter better ?

[@bankspower]

It will work, oiled filters are good for temps of -20°F or -28°C.

[@Markes12344_L]

So I own two BANKS oiled filter and the prefilter sac, because I prefer to hot swap every 25k (km). cleaning large debris and bugs got way easier with pre filter. but I have questions/comments 1: what happens if you over oil (just more restrictive?) 2: it'll be hard to explain, but I utilize that little lip on the KnN oil jugs nozzle. Place it inside of the pleats with the oil hole ot the edge of the pleat, than depending on the direction of travel, turn the bottle slightly so you barley drag rear of the lip against the pleat with the leading edge off the pleats as it will catch the mesh if it touches. This lip KnN provides on the bottle makes oiling each pleat individually a quick motion and fast to do. 3: I'm commenting before I investigate, but dose the calculator have BANK filters pre loaded?

[@JimmySeahawk]

That pre filter also robs horsepower. Had one on my quad but took it off and it flowed way better.

[@Markes12344_L]

@@JimmySeahawk i don't find it dose, i'm not turbo'd or supercharged, and the BANKS high ram kit in my truck seems to be more than efficient. plus the socks fairly clean and isnt so fine of a mesh i feel it'll add that negative of results. buht end of the day if it dose rob hp i'll still take it over the lil hp gain without, any day, it simply makes cleaning soooo easy

[@keepitsolidkeepitreal2877]

Have been member since 2000 used in jet ski and 4 banger Honda and F-150 10th generation V8&V6 and Ford Explore V6 and motorcycles and dirt bikes 💯🤙😎💡🔥 Best lasting product

[@wouterkellerman4458]

Very informative!

[@roBLINDhood]

Great stuff guys!!

[@daleaferrrier]

Does the oiled filter actually flow better than the dry?

[@SMC1990]

Great video

[@27BILLY99]

my filters have so much gunk in between them… did the cleaning process 3 times and there’s just so much inside between the filters. should i just buy new ones?

[@bankspower]

If that is the case and you cannot get them cleaned, it would be to purchase new.

[@DMW2000]

Ace vid. Thanks, guys!

[@milanandrys4568]

Great content!

[@andya7283]

Have you ever tried to pull a vacuum through the air filter say 24 hours after it has been oiled ? I keep hearing how the oil from the air filter can get pulled into the intake and fowl up the mass air flow sensor. When i say vacuum I mean the maximum cfm's at full throttle for the type of motor it is going into. Does this happen or is that just something the competition says?

[@DavidTMSN]

So what would good time or distance intervals be for someone who only drives 10K a year and the vehicle has 7K on the vehicle from brand new? Environment - mild-moderate - No desert.

[@Garth2011]

Good recommendations. There are a few automotive technicians who will tell vehicle owners not to use the oil impregnated filters because they have effects on MAF sensors. Sounds possible but is it likely to happen?

[@davidgray-owen2270]

only is its over oiled. vehicle dependent too. depends on where maf placement is most of all

[@t_c5266]

It also let's more dirt into your engine. All laboratory tests confirm this

[@darinr9424]

Yup

[@mplewp]

nothing a little brake cleaner won' solve :)

[@t_c5266]

@@mplewp or you can just keep a paper filter and you don't have to worry about it at all

[@darylmorse]

This is a really interesting and helpful video. Thanks for sharing it.

[@SenateKT-uc2id]

I have DNA filter in my bike. Is it alright that I use a K&N kit to clean and oil it?

[@dyslectische]

Always easy . Clean it with break cleaner Wd 40 on it and go. Do this for years and years on my k&n . Its a replacement filter for the original filter

[@darinr9424]

Warm dawn soapy water. Water running in the reverse direction of the air flow. Not to hard as to mess up the gauss. Let it fully dry overnight as ya sleep. Then re oil and re install. Blue dawn soap then warm to almost hot water running backwards through it... darn things will look like you just bought it new every time.

[@paulmeeker1165]

How do they do it at the K&N factory?

[@joelpierce3940]

I like doing a distilled water final rinse.

[@jeremytoney1578]

Never really compared the two. What is better and why??

[@solorio114]

Im surprised Banks hasn’t came out with their own oil & is using k&n brand, i wonder how the air flow side by side on banks vs k&n intake system is.

[@xXPostmortemXx]

How often should you clean and re-oil? 10k miles?

[@DavidTMSN]

That's what I'm wondering as well. 7.5k?

[@JordieG8]

I always take a cloth and pat down the filter media inside and out after to absorb any extra.

[@Crocodile_Performance]

I am a fan of Banks products. I would like to see a video on how well there air filters actually filter out dirt. Especially compared to the competition. I am concerned about using any cleanable filter for a long term daily driver. I used K&N on previous vehicles and ended up throwing them away. I felt like they were just dusting the inside of the engine. I ended up going back to OEM paper filters.

[@TonyLasagna]

Oil analysis showed no additional solubles or dirt or dust when I switched. I run oiled Banks.

[@triplestangman]

@@TonyLasagna I've watched actual testing and the oil filter failed to stop any micro particulates throw it the trash

[@mails5054]

if you offroad just get a snorkel, way better than my banks i had and it lowered temps. On road the banks was great tho

[@TonyLasagna]

@@triplestangman interesting let me see that

[@kevinwest3689]

I have a filter like this on my motorcycle but the one on my truck is stainless steel not paper, wonder how I clean that one?

[@Iowa599]

Lols…work! I use aerosol chain lube. It's oil & a thinner that evaporates. The cheapest I can find.

[@sotosboi]

What is the substance of the filter cleaner? it smells like window cleaner the one i have. Maybe its the same?

[@noneofyourbusiness7651]

My mechanic told me to never use the filters that need to be oiled because the oil will destroy some sensors over time. Any thoughts on that?

[@bankspower]

If properly oiled, the air filters will work just fine. We generally recommend the oiled (red) filters over dry (grey) for two reasons. One, slightly better flow characteristics. They are somewhat thinner, more robust filter material for the oil and can grab more debris. Two, the service life. The oiled (red) filter can go up to 30k-40k miles before it has to be serviced (dry is about 25k miles). Either filter will last until about 100k miles.

[@ss-5553]

This was very good video thank's !

[@WestPerformanceCars]

What does the mass air flow sensor think about these filters?

[@plasmaman9592]

Remind everyone switch back to paper filters. I watched a comparison video with a particle counter and the quality paper filters block far more fine to medium particles. I'll give up 5-10 hp to help my engine last longer. I used to buy K&N filters as random middle of the year gifts.

[@supersnot4]

Yep, OEM branded filters all the way. Dirt cheap on Rockauto, easy to replace and awesome peace of mind. Of course that all goes out the window when you start doing aftermarket cold air intakes.

[@mails5054]

I have a banks air filter on my wrangler, i liked it until i got more into offroading. Dont get a Warm Air Intake if you offroad around water. I went back to stock and added a snorkel with a prefilter(true cold air intake), does way better than the banks i had, had to constantly clean the banks. Banks was good on the road tho.

[@vincentlee4016]

How about if I have a drop in k&N filter? How do I oil those

[@Luna.Rey24]

Same way.

[@Dad_Woof]

Very helpful

[@jdtv...9134]

Awesome cleaner from the dollar store or home Depot is almost the exact same as the k&n cleaner

[@coryanderson2371]

Thank you for that I didn't know about that I always covered with the airsoft and the same stuff you guys have tab and head way to my toil on it but I don't understand you and I'll do that to my next Winter good job

[@ChatoeNormus]

Can you use the oil on the dry filter I have two dry ones the black one and I just bought that same recharger but but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to oil the dry filter any help anyone ???

[@philphil3125]

Very helpfull, thank you.

[@rudyossanchez]

merci beaucoup, c'est vraiment utile

[@randomusernumber1]

if you are oiling your filter i strongly recommend putting the oil in a paint gun and spraying it as if you are painting . Much easier , more even coverage , faster and you measure beforehand so you can just spray until empty .

[@PhillyDee215]

👨‍🔧So which filter is more beneficial...dry or oiled

[@bankspower]

We prefer oiled because, generally speaking, they offer superior airflow and dust collection.

[@PhillyDee215]

@@bankspower 👌

[@guycripplecock7804]

My favorite filter is a is a paper OEM style and always will be because the oil saturated filters clog up too often

[@ChaosPootato]

Damn I didn't expect such a heavy French accent it took me by surprise

[@InterdimensionalApe]

Cool video thanks!

[@LS-tj1ip]

So an oil filter can be black? Or is black just dry filters?

[@bankspower]

Our black or grey filters are dry, the reds are oiled.

[@LS-tj1ip]

@@bankspower does that apply to KN as well?

[@17madracki17]

Does Gail know your walking around that beautiful place with those dirty filters haha. Get outside ! All jokes aside good video.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Step 1: Never use an oiled filter. By K&Ns own testing, they let in 40x more dirt and they're larger particles too, exponentially more likely to wear your upper end and cylinders.

[@ВиталийПетров-с4ф]

Tell me which one is better to take dry or wet?!

[@jesseacuna-pj5pt]

helpful info thanks

[@falcorthewonderdog2758]

As a GM tech I have removed plenty of cold air kits and plugged air filters that have caused damage to the cars fuel system. These kits cause more problems than any dreamed up benefit.

[@TDT0188]

You mean poor maintenance and parts that aren't tuned for cause issues? Incredible deduction! Doesn't matter what filter is in there, people are lazy and dumb.

[@dougjones4987]

I just found that out in my silverado :)

[@damiandelapp5490]

Some advice, as with me my oiled filters get filthy/grungy bad i had recently taken mine into the kitchen sink with Xhot water and soak them in dawn and dunk up and down you’ll be blown away how much grit/fine sand is trapped in the filter, especially when you never done a deep clean I was blown away by how restricted it had been my filters are 10+ years old…and to the guys that swear by OEM paper filters i get it but I haven’t had to spend $15-$20 a pop in years!

[@michaelroy5954]

All these aftermarket cleanable filters are so wonderful. Funny how no new vehicles come with them. And you sure don’t see them in construction or AG equipment. Just let your engine eat more dirt, mechanics have kids to feed too.

[@firat3000]

Your MAF Sensors will thank you for the Oil.

[@scotthultin7769]

14👍's up Mr POWER thanks for sharing

[@sethmartin1929]

2:22 scared the hell outa me thought my fire alarm was going off

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I like the guys who clean em once a week. Give it time ,your rings and valves seats will thank you for putting them out of their misery. Yes,you can clean your air filter too much.

[@ip5232]

After i did a lot research ,found out this looks very cool to have ,however no one will really clean and re oil their filter , given that it has the oil ,it will attract a lot more dust for sure but get clogged a lot easier, also i found out that a very very small amount of oil will go thru the intake and will affect the MAF sensor , so no ,not worth it.

[@davidstreling3690]

lol i had k-n on my 2011 dodge journey traded it in with 70k on it for my 2014 journey so i pulled the k-n out of my 2011 at the dealership and installed it in my 2014 and have 140 k on it as of now, and yes i clean and re-oil every 20k miles and never had any problems with sensors on either of them...i also use the k-n cabin filter as well on the inside saves me a bundle as them cabin filters are a big rip off anyways

[@PrinceAlberts]

Ok, but what is the advantage of an oiled or dry filter? Why use either of these instead of a disposable filter?

[@bankspower]

Both filters are great, however, we generally recommend the oiled (red) filters over dry (grey) for two reasons. One, slightly better flow characteristics. They are somewhat thinner, more robust filter material for the oil and can grab more debris. Two, the service life. The oiled (red) filter can go up to 30k-40k miles before it has to be serviced (dry is about 25k miles). Either filter will last until about 100k miles.

[@jackboling1675]

Thank you for that

[@Kraken2681994]

I used two pipercross oil panel filters on my C350 CDI and eventually lost both MAF sensors due too the oil mist covering the sensors in the inlet manifold. Be careful not too use too much oil when cleaning.

[@nahuelgalmarini117]

What happens if i dont oil my filter

[@gj91471]

A K&N still flows with a sixteenth of dirt on it.

[@yajsemi671]

I didn’t know it was that hard to oil a damn air filter

[@camgeiger]

Not me causally doing this in my bathtub before my wife gets home 🤫

[@aryehcohen4403]

No wonder my catalytic converter’s went bad after I oiled the filter I put too much on it 😂

[@Midlifeglamping]

Wish I had my filter to try this, my cold air intake has been on order for months for my 2020 Duramax!! 🤬

[@WhiteblurrST]

Great video, id recommend buying dry filters like AEM or injen, its more reliable and no hassles.

[@mightyman1855]

You are from northern France

[@Mosesmombassa]

I just use a Donaldson powercore it's dry and filters the air

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

I don't see the need to use the expensive K&N oil. A light dose of ATF will trap dirt just as well.

[@oldschooldude8370]

The spray is much easier. My airbox has never had residue, much more the MAF.

[@ReeveHelalV]

17 years repairing cars, pickups, and suvs for a living. I am absolutely not a believer in this style of air filter. The vast majority are improperly maintained which has the opposite effect of what the filter is supposedly designed to do (increase power and fuel economy by being more freely flowing). Most of these I’ve come across in the wild are letting dirt into the engine. I just had the plenum off of an engine last week running a k&n. The amount of oily black carbon and dirt collected in that plenum was astounding. Guess what else, low compression on all cylinders. Dirt introduced into an engine tends to have that effect.

[@DB-qm4jx]

Not being facetious, but wouldn’t more dirt carbon buildup inside a cylinder raise compression. Because you’re filling up the volume of space for the same given amount of piston stroke.?

[@ReeveHelalV]

@@DB-qm4jx carbon buildup on the tops of the pistons can raise compression like you mentioned. In the case of poorly filtered air entering an engine, dirt has abrasive effects on cylinder walls and piston rings which impedes their ability to hold compression.

[@DB-qm4jx]

@@ReeveHelalV fair!! Thank you for explaining more thoroughly. You are completely correct and I appreciate the immediate response.