Cheap Easy Way To Clean and Oil a K&N Air Filter without a Recharge Kit using Household Products

It's super easy to clean and re-oil your K&N Air Filter with products you've probably got at home - some Fairy Liquid and some light spray oil.
In this video I show you how.
Edit: I've had some messages saying I've got a total disregard for the safety of people's engines, as mentioned in this video, I've been doing this for years with no issues. If you're worried about it, don't do it!
The official kit is a degreaser and a light spray oil, same as this method, I just don't want to buy something for £15 that I already have for 15p.
I also did some digging, and found that a oil analyst did some testing on K&N air filter oil and it's almost the same as ATF.
PS. F1 cars used to run no air filters and just a metal gauze to keep the stones out!
Or just buy the proper kit...
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Disclaimer
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[@KevinSoppe]

Thanks for the advice, i cleaned it in a bucket with hot water and soap. After i puted motoroil on it with my finger all around and it worked fine

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah as long as the oil is thin enough then it should be all good. 👊

[@dannyingamells6642]

Thanks for a hundred years! The K&N stuff is pricy here in SoCal and things are just too much money nowadays. I used the .99 cent store degreaser called "Awesome!" and some running warm water in the sink and after five applications was able to clear the filth out of the 1.5 year old filter. Then i followed up with some granola aerosol spray (the k&n stuff was actually mineral oil with a red dye). Both cleaners cost me a whopping $2.50 cents USD and was way, way, way cheaper than a new k&n and the costly cleaning kit. Kudos, and cheers!

[@RickTheSpud]

YEEES! Thanks Danny! Success! Glad to hear it mate! 👊😎

[@romeomaindan9982]

Old school oil spray for air filter use regular vegetable oil and engine oil. The new air filter oil sold today has some additives to function better than the old practice. It needs to be dried before use and it becomes thick and almost dry to touch.

[@TheDudeLebowski-u7q]

L.A.s Awesome is an excellent product. 👍

[@cruzmaria135]

everything in California is Ridiculously expensive, Blame ALL THE LIBERAL DEMON-CRATS FOR DE-CRIMINALIZING PETIT THEFT, AND URINATING IN PUBLIC, AND TENT CITIES..... NONE OF THE NONSENSE EXIST IN MANY REP. STATE AND NEVER WILL. SERIOUSLY , SORRY, FACTS ARE FACTS...

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

This is NOT that big of an issue. You can clean the filter with dish soap and warm water. Rinse from the back side and soak again a few more times until the rinse water runs clean. Air dry at LOW gentle compressor pressure (5-10 PSI ), then oil with ATF on the front side ( intake ) of the filter. Let excess drip for a few minutes, then reinstall. No need to purchase "special" oil from K&N. Contrary to many commenters here, you will not ruin your engine with this method. And as a side fact, water injection has been used in engines since WW2, often mixed with methyl alcohol, to eliminate engine knock at high power levels. No adverse effects, and a cleaner carbon free engine.

[@RickTheSpud]

Thanks buddy! Too many armchair experts on here crying about what they think might happen on their fragile precious engines. Prob same people doing launch controls from cold!

[@joshua7426]

Don't even need to oil it, just rinse it out let dry then put back in. It'll still last 20+ years

[@RickTheSpud]

@joshua7426 Yeah exactly. Like I said in the video, we used to use a pair of stockings over the air box, nothing blew up!

[@joshua7426]

@RickTheSpud lol we used to do that as kids when we were all into Hondas lol back when things were actually built to last forever

[@RickTheSpud]

😂 This is still lasting, nearly 30 years old, starts on the button and goes straight to a track day! 😜

[@wisaac6502]

Great video you saved us 35 bucks! If were to buy k&n clean and oil kit!👏👌💪

[@RickTheSpud]

No worries bro. It's the same stuff, just repackaged! Make sure you've Subscribed! 👊

[@JohnDoe-wb9ht]

I used laundry liquid in warm water then kept rinsing until no more dirt appeared..cleaned great, let it dry overnight..held filter up to light and no contaminants blocking air holes..I use a light coat of wd40..never had problems in 10 years of doing this..filter increased mpg and throttle response compared to standard filter...a lot of people complain about not using any oil apart from k&n "special" oil..maybe if there's a short distance between filter and throttle body you may clog up your sensor but if like me you've got a long air duct away from engine heat ( behind headlights or fog lights) then any excess oil will just smear onto the ducting.

[@RickTheSpud]

Exactly my thoughts. Careful tho, if you say you don't use the proper K&N branded cleaning fluids on here you'll be in danger of an engine rebuild! 😜

[@JohnDoe-wb9ht]

@@RickTheSpud they'll be the same people that enjoy looking at their special filter in the hot engine bay sucking up hot air, even the pros do this. The amount of people that complain non standard filters don't do what's promised..I say forget about buying one specifically for your car...fit air ducting to throttle body and pass down engine as low as possible (without sucking up small animals or puddles of course)to suck in cold air and buy a large as possible universal filter to fit on..cold air is what will give you the throttle response and better mpg...and ducting doesn't have to be straight or smooth...mines a bendy corrugated type ducting...again..its the cold air that's key. Vrooom vrooom.

[@RickTheSpud]

@@JohnDoe-wb9ht Yep, all of that. Altho I can't be bothered with most of that and just change to a more free flowing panel filter. Just bought one for my MX5 from JR Performance, £12, looks exactly the same as a K&N. 😉

[@JohnDoe-wb9ht]

@@RickTheSpud probably all made in the same factory and at the end of the line some get k&n label with marked up price and others get cheap as chips price 👍we know what's going on mate.

[@RickTheSpud]

@@JohnDoe-wb9ht Haha. Yep. 😎👌

[@acharyajamesoermannspeaker6563]

The milky brew was the best part. Milky it was! Using edible oil on your auto filter which would then be used to cook sausages is a new part to auto maintenance for me.

[@RickTheSpud]

Ah brilliant. I'm happy to have opened your eyes! It's only job is to make the filter tacky so tiny debris sticks to it, use what you want, just not too much.

[@matthewsequoyah2665]

As you’re driving down the freeway your mate says; SniFF SniFF, do you smell sausages? 🤨😋

[@nunika1975]

DAWN is a a great oil remover. LHM Hydraulic oil is a light mineral similar consistency as K&N. The red colour will help identify where the spray is. Some people also use ATF. Don't use vegerable oils (they go rancid, unlike light mineral oil).

[@RickTheSpud]

Nice one cheers buddy. Will try that next time. ATF has a red colour too if I remember?

[@rajajengkol]

@@RickTheSpud most atf is red

[@iggy_d15]

what would happen, if i dont put on any oil to cover it up? as mentioned, i dont live in a dusty country, but is it necessary to put oil after drying it? or is it okay to not put any oil at all?

[@RickTheSpud]

Up to you. Prob be fine. I used to run a pair of tights on my Mk2 Golf airbox. It's only to stop stuff going in the engine. Anything that can fit through those tiny holes won't hurt...

[@michaelanderson2166]

You will be surprised how much dust is in the air, even in non-dusty areas. Mold spores, pollen, actual dust are all going into your engine, along with soot from smoke, like driving behind a diesel.

[@RickTheSpud]

@michaelanderson2166 Maybe, won't hurt it tho. 💪😎

[@kellyvcraig]

YES. The filter is designed to be used with oil. If you don't want to use oil, buy a different type of filter. One with a finer filtration capability. Not using oil reduces the filtration capacity of the filter, allowing more damaging dust into the engine. Car filters are not unlike home HVAC filters. They protect the equipment from damage. Generally, home filters use a MERV rating system to rate them for filtration. The higher the number, the better they filter. For example, a HEPA filter would have a fairly high MERV rating. Say, about 13 and up. The old 1" filters many of us grew up with were just for furnaces. HVAC systems require better filtering to keep coils clean. As such, most filters have a lot of pleats AND start at an 8 or 11 MERV rating. Higher ratings both keep the coils cleaner and scrub the air of debris better Cars don't plug up like HVAC coils do, but the fine dirt beats on the metal over time, which is how waterjet cutters work. Debris, in the form of garnets, is added to the water, allowing the waterjet to cut metal and stone quickly. Fine dirt will do the same thing the garnets in a water stream will, it'll just take longer.

[@kellyvcraig]

If you want to get really tricky, think about buying one of the oil sprayers you charge with your air compressor (about $40.00). Put a cup of oil in it, charge it with about 50 pounds air, then you can spray the entire filter in seconds. My sprayer will stay charged for months. The sprayer nozzle can be tweaked to shoot a stream or mist.

[@RickTheSpud]

Great idea, thanks buddy! 👊😎

[@savinggracechurch4112]

Only thing that was missing was a slice of cake 😅 Cupa tea and slice of cake. Great video!

[@RickTheSpud]

Agreed! That was off camera with the 2nd cup of tea once I'd finished! 😜

[@savinggracechurch4112]

@RickTheSpud 😋😂

[@cruzmaria135]

Nice Job mate. But next time use a garden patio chair, to lay filter on mesh chair, to allow garden hose water to Flow thru freely. take care mate,

[@RickTheSpud]

Good shout! 👊

[@ac7030]

If you add steps for using compressed air to blow out the debris and a hair dryer to minimize the drying time, then you have covered all the things not to do when cleaning your k&n. Also just because you were able to start your car that doesn't proove anything.

[@RickTheSpud]

Thanks, I will next time. And yes, starting the car does prove something, it proves the car starts! Some people over oil the filter and it doesn't let any air through and won't start. 👌

[@Stolencamaro]

And k@n specifically asked people not to use compressed air

[@leewade8582]

You only oil the air inlet side not the engine side, You'll be sending fry light into you engine 😉

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha, OK thanks mate. Might make it a bit faster! 😎

[@gprakashps3]

Can you please suggest an oil other than sunflower oil? Can I use wd40 or normal engine oil?

[@RickTheSpud]

Have a flick through the comments on here, other people have suggested other stuff that is 'safer' long term for the filter. Unless I was doing the video I'd prob have just left it dry as the UK is not very dusty. In a hot dry dusty country then I'd oil it. WD40 drys out so I wouldn't use that... 👊

[@gprakashps3]

Thanks for the reply. I'm riding a motorcycle in India... It's as hot and dusty as it can be...

[@RickTheSpud]

Oh wow! Err, any sort of oil but make sure it drains otherwise the air won't get through, or the oil will go into the intake which won't hurt the engine but might get all over sensors and senders etc...

[@gprakashps3]

Alright thanks

[@SpicyRoll-m4r]

I use normal detergent powder soap and soak it for an hour lightly spray wash it with water dry it for a day works better than their cleaner, apply k&n oil when it gets dry...remember be gentle on it.

[@RickTheSpud]

Yep, all of that. Excellent advise. 👊

[@ashleyredden2201]

So i can soak it and then let it dry completely and use wd 40 lightly across front and bsck or ​@@RickTheSpud

[@michaelhornung5512]

Dig the tea time spot in the middle of the video😂😂

[@RickTheSpud]

Always time for a milky brew mate! 😋

[@Twelve_Gauge369]

Could you oli the filter with PB blaster or WD 40

[@RickTheSpud]

Not sure what PB blaster is, but WD40 dries out and leaves no stickyness to catch the dust. Ultimately in a low dust country it doesn't really need oiling IMO. If I was driving across the desert I prob would. 😉

[@sc6015]

Gun oil spray

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah that's a good shout... 👊

[@johnjohns2333]

Good video! I’m gonna use fluid film on my folder

[@RickTheSpud]

Huh? Who what? What's that? And on a folder?

[@therealgaragegirls]

A spot of tea with your milk, sir? 😅 Just teasing you. Thank you for the fine video. Some people in these comments are just too full of "all the right info." 😂 The ATF suggestion is a good one though. And as you pointed out, it'll even give you the right color. Hell, that's probably all the "special K&N oil" is! 😅

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha, thanks! Yeah exactly! And you might be on to something there! 😉

[@genodavis8138]

How about after it's cleaned and Dried, Would it be safe to use a nylon stocking over filter as a pre filter, just saying ✌️🙂

[@RickTheSpud]

Why not? 🤷‍♂️😉

[@RickTheSpud]

😜😂😂😂👌

[@Threedog1963]

Work for the cabin air filter as well? I mean, besides the oil.

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah, guess so! Whatever you spray on it will smell into the cabin so be aware!

[@Qui-9]

Mix a lot of solvent with the oil for this. Straight oil blocks the pores on a filter in a system not strong enough to pull air through a soaked filter. By using solvent, the filter can be wet, then it will dry, leaving just enough oil to coat the fibres without blocking the flow. I suggest 10:1 solvent:oil.

[@pauloconnor7951]

there are natural / healthy essential oil -oils. Lavender oil for example is very healthy. Get rid oh headaches. But wow very little huh mixed in a vegetable oil

[@RickTheSpud]

Great idea, and it'll make your engine smell nice! Will it improve engine health too? 😉

[@28704joe]

Sunflower oil?! WTF? Why not used fryer oil at McDonalds ? It'll smell good too.

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha. Yeah, could do. 🤷‍♂️😉

[@syedarif729]

Can you tell me please can i use engine oil as lube?

[@RickTheSpud]

I guess so. If you can get a thin enough coating on there, and let it drain and pat off the excess as per the video... 👊

[@manz7860]

Would it be bad if i just stuck the whole "cone" in a bucket

[@RickTheSpud]

As long as there's no sensors attached, sure. Use a degreaser like Fairy Liquid in the water and leave to soak. 👊

[@manz7860]

@@RickTheSpud cleaned and re installed as I was replacing the alternator. My ol girl was begging for me to go wide open throttle. "Pleeeeease. Please floor me"

[@RickTheSpud]

😂😂😂

[@_davidsuciu]

Guess im gonna go for it , in my area 1L of air filter oil + the shipping to my house would cost me an total of 25 pounds.. while i've got lots of sunflower oil staying there , waiting to be used , i also think the special oil isnt really that special

[@RickTheSpud]

Yep, same here. The kit is a degreaser and a light oil. Use the oil sparingly tho otherwise the filter will be blocked and your car won't run! 😉

[@saltygorilla9285]

Nice video 👍 gonna have to try the milky brew also lol. Do you think it would hurt anything if I just rinse my filter with water, let dry and reinstall?

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha, I know right. Milky brew but not weak, normal strength just extra milk, some people do normal milk and hook the tea bag straight out then it doesn't taste of tea or milk! You could just rinse with water but it won't get it that clean, jet wash maybe but that might damage the filter. You need a product that will break down the grime. 💪😉

[@saltygorilla9285]

@@RickTheSpud Hey man thanks for the reply! I live in the USA so never heard of putting milk in tea but looks really good, I don't like coffee bc it makes me feel jittery like a crackhead lmao, this might be what I need. Thanks for the advise also, good man 👍💯

[@RickTheSpud]

@@saltygorilla9285 No worries buddy! 😎👌

[@acharyajamesoermannspeaker6563]

The soap is necessary to remove gunk, otherwise, you will starve the engine for air eventually.

[@alibayazit2285]

En etkili yöntem; 1 vanish kosla gibi halı ve koltuk temizleme köpüğü. Pamuklulara zarar vermez, kiri söker. Köpük formunda olması kir çözmeyi kolaylaştırır. 2 WD-40. Filtre kuruyunca WD 40 ile boşluk kapmayacak şekilde yağlayın.

[@RickTheSpud]

Nice, thanks buddy. Good advice.

[@chrisv9779]

Lmao the cut scene of making tea. Loved that.

[@RickTheSpud]

😜 Love a milky brew! 🤗

[@jackeck2128]

Great vid, no way am I paying 25quid for kit 👍👍🇬🇧

[@RickTheSpud]

Thanks mate. Exactly! Just for repackaged stuff you've already got! 🤷‍♂️😉

[@endopaxd.5195]

More effective than using K&N Air Filter Cleaner or Simple Green or other spray cleaners is soaking the filter in a plastic tub or a sink filled with Dawn and hot water. The Dawn solution will reach into every nook and crevice of the filter and remove particulate matter and grease. Spray cleaners will never match this. I do think the K&N Refresher, which can be purchased separately and sprayed on both sides of the filter, is still the best way to enhance the electrostatic properties of the washed filter.

[@RickTheSpud]

Cheers. Will investigate the Refresher. 👊 Hit that subscribe for me... 😉

[@mattmccaslinjjj]

Refresher is for the cabin air filter not the engine air filter

[@RickTheSpud]

Ah OK. 👊

[@ndiggadee2663]

Good skills I used APC and a jet wash Today just need to oil it

[@RickTheSpud]

Cheers mate, yep, that'll do it as long as APC shifts oil/grease? Don't over oil it, otherwise your car will struggle to 'breathe'.

[@MrAvant123]

I struggle to see the point of these expensive K&N filters. Why not just change the regular filter more often ? I would like to know how much benefits these filters really give in % BHP terms ?

[@RickTheSpud]

They definitely allow more air in and makes the car sound better, plus it's reusable too! 😎👌

[@FXSTB-i]

A K&N or equivalent can be used literally for many many years. Paper filters cost to replace so the former pays for itself in the long term

[@loneface]

Yorkshire tea?

[@RickTheSpud]

Of course! 😋

[@loneface]

@@RickTheSpud quality tea quality bloke 😆

[@spookyduzit]

I once used baby oil on the filter. And had to decarbonize a day later and Change the spark plugs

[@RickTheSpud]

Oh no! Baby oil prob a bit runny. You want a thin coating of something that sets.

[@stapeling]

I would not recommend using sunflower oil on your airfilter, for the same reason you don’t use it for engine, gearbox, diff, bikechain, paint, teakwood, etcetera: it isn’t the right kind of oil for the purpose. You’ll ruine the filter ánd parts in the intake behind the filter.

[@RickTheSpud]

You don't have to recommend it mate, it's only a tiny tiny amount and I've been doing it for 10 years with no problems. By all means use something else. Spray grease is a bit thick. 😉 I think ATF has a nice red colour if you want to be more on brand!

[@mohamedgamaleldien4216]

did you added sugar?

[@RickTheSpud]

To my tea or the air filter?

[@mohamedgamaleldien4216]

@RickTheSpud for tea my concern.

[@RickTheSpud]

@@mohamedgamaleldien4216 Nope, no sugar. Sweet enough! 👊😉

[@Billithenaturer]

Why we need to put oil

[@RickTheSpud]

Don't really in the UK, if you live in a dusty area it will help capture the dust, but needs to be a really dusty country IMO. 👊😉

[@teagan73191]

1 percent or 2 percent for the milk?

[@RickTheSpud]

About 10 percent milk! 👊😜

[@Qui-9]

If I may make a suggestion, maybe mix some mineral oil with that vegetable oil, or mineral oil with coupling grease or high-tack grease. Vegetable oil alone will oxidize and become gummy, then cured on, and will be a nightmare to remove if at all with oven cleaner. But mixed down, will be easier to manage for next cleaning. The light oil with some tack means it's strong enough to cling but soft enough to catch light particles. Too much tack, and dust will stick to the surface and stay there, rendering the oil ineffective, the oil won't wick around and accept more particles. Cheers 🍻

[@RickTheSpud]

Excellent suggestion. Thank you. 👊

[@kellyvcraig]

Better yet, STAY AWAY FROM VEGETABLE OILS and stick with petroleum/synthetic oil to avoid the danger of suffering gummy filters as the oils gel or, slowly, harden.

[@swirlingabyss]

My concern is that sunflower oil will oxidize and gum up. You'd want to use liquid coconut oil or something similar that won't oxidize.

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah I guess so. Although never had any problems so far. Seems ok. Needs to restrict some power anyway, when that VTEC kicks in... 🚙💨💨💨😉

[@sajidmunir864]

All the vegetable and animal fats oxidize and gummy after some time, better to use mineral oils

[@nickmarkis8134]

I’m going to try spraying baby oil on mine

[@RickTheSpud]

True... 👊

[@RickTheSpud]

And why not! 😜

[@moretttti]

its safe use to clean a isopropyl?

[@RickTheSpud]

Not sure... 👊

[@moretttti]

if is cotton... clean in washmachine?

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah could do, might damage it tho.

[@exupakias]

Just to know, the sunflower oil have water inside, so you know what i mean.

[@RickTheSpud]

True, but that will evaporate. Like most people who do this or do it with the K&N kit, the filter is prob not 100% dry after cleaning it. Won't hurt it.

[@exupakias]

@@RickTheSpud Yes ok.

[@uga83joe]

Recharging kit can be had for 12 dollars. It will last several cleanings so it is not a one time use. Sure, your way does save a few dollars but I believe for a few dollars more it is well worth keeping your engine safe. Just knowing you are using specifically made products is 100 percent safer. Now, if I were saving 100 dollars then maybe....just maybe. But an engine repair will be more than 100 dollars. So again no way would I trust this.

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah fine mate. Up to you. You calculations are correct, but I'm just using stuff I already have, which is basically the same stuff, and something else I don't have to have sitting in the shelf. As always, if you don't feel comfortable doing something then don't. However, you won't need an engine rebuild if your engine sucks up a few ml of spray oil. As already said on here, there was lots of trouble a few years ago with the K&N oil causing havoc with MAF sensors, and people always over oil their filters and their cars won't start, that does more damage.

[@doofydoof7129]

I gave a like, and subscribed for the milky brew

[@RickTheSpud]

😂 Ace, thank you so much! 👊

[@DefinitelyNotAGuru]

I've never actually used a K&N but am thinking about it for my 420i, do you actually get any MPG improvement with them or is it just a fraction more power?

[@RickTheSpud]

Yeah prob a bit of everything, bit more efficiency all round so better throttle response, slightly more mpg and power, and a bit more intake noise! 🤗

[@golf398]

Would recommend their cold air intake if they have one that is legal for your car in your jurisdiction. Slight power improvement (5hp at best) low maintenance, and most importantly it removes all of the noise dampening your intake has which sounds really good without annoying everyone in a 5 mile radius (if that’s your style).

[@catapult182]

Bloody hell! It’s tea time you blokes 😂

[@RickTheSpud]

Always! 👊😎

[@robertsmith3774]

I dip mine in the milky brew so the sausages taste better.

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha, good shout, I'll do that next time... 😋

[@harrykuntz878]

I don't even want to know what you would use as personal lubricant with a bird to save money 🤑

[@RickTheSpud]

The only lubricant I use on a bird is a nice Honey Mustard Chicken marinade, nothing spicy. 😋

[@harrykuntz878]

@@RickTheSpud 😆

[@Hardtailcartel]

Don't follow the advice of this video🤦‍♂️

[@RickTheSpud]

And why not? 🤷‍♂️ You don't have to for sure, buy the official cleaning kit if you want. This is the same as a K&N cleaning kit - cleaned with a degreaser and re oiled with spray oil. Been doing it 5 years with the same filter and covered about 25k miles including 10 track days and trips to Germany, Belgium, and Holland. Tell me more...

[@jkelley8173]

And that Sir.. Is one hell of a clap back 💯

[@RickTheSpud]

Clap back? Sorry not down with kids, what's that mean?

[@saltygorilla9285]

LEZ JAMEZ is on his period right now 😂 don't pay him any mind

[@svenvandervegt]

@@RickTheSpudhe means you proved him wrong

[@EricsTechTalk]

This is aggressively British.

[@RickTheSpud]

What's aggressive about it?

[@EricsTechTalk]

@Rick The Spud Fairy liquid, the tea, the mention of cooking sausages with the overspray. Not clowning on you. It's a beautiful thing lol

[@RickTheSpud]

@@EricsTechTalk 😂😂😂 Appreciate that buddy! 👊

[@vjankus6276]

oil for cooking dries up after a while,becomes like glue,I don't think it will be possible to wash it again.frugal pays 2 times.I do not recommend people to use this advice

[@RickTheSpud]

It does dry out eventually same as the genuine stuff, but doesn't go like glue, and definitely washes off with a degreaser like Fairy Liquid. Don't offer advice if you have to guess.

[@manz7860]

Cooking oil doesn't gunk up like glue.

[@uunz4435]

Bro, food grade oils have acidity levels… it can erode some plastics and rubber over time.

[@RickTheSpud]

Over how long?

[@uunz4435]

@@RickTheSpud oh it depends on the type of plastic material it is, and temperatures. Practically all vegetable oils and animal fats have a acidity level, and some oxidize more than others. I can’t say how it will effect a K&N filter but why risk it in my opinion :)

[@elcidcampeador497]

Thank you! 👍❤️

[@RickTheSpud]

No worries! 😎👌

[@osvaldorivera1134]

LMFAO sunflower oil, I love it mate. 🤣

[@RickTheSpud]

😉 Why not. 😜 If the engine sucks up a bit it'll just go faster! 😂

[@anthonythomas4423]

You’re a genius

[@RickTheSpud]

Above average! 😜

[@darrellmcquay9808]

I washed mine using gas and ran some 2 cycle oil over it I had in the garage

[@RickTheSpud]

Yep, that'll work. Petrol evaporates to nothing, and cycle oil is quite thin. Just make sure the excess drains off before you put it in. 👊

[@juliosdiy3206]

I wont waste my time dipping n soapy water i just spray with degreaser then rinse then low air blow with fan ready n 30 min.

[@RickTheSpud]

Good job. Yeah any degreaser will do the job! 👌

[@Kjack2023]

This is why I don’t buy used cars!😂

[@RickTheSpud]

😂😂😂 It's fine, honestly... 👊

[@matthewsequoyah2665]

I would think mineral spirits / paint thinner would be safe and effective for the cleaning stage if you don’t want to use water. Just don’t get mixed up and dip your filter in the milky brew ! 😆

[@RickTheSpud]

😂 Will do! Using the proper K&N cleaning kit they still use water to rinse it so as long as you dry it properly you should be good! 👊

[@samyazad1876]

How about using WD40 instead of sunflower oil?

[@RickTheSpud]

WD40? Could do, but WD40 dries out, oil stays tacky to catch the little particles... 🤗

[@ThatRoddy]

You had me till sunflower oil

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha. Don't use sunflower oil then. 😉 It's just a light spray oil, and as I said in the video, you could use nothing, it won't hurt. In a really dusty environment or desert country it will prob do more damage, but not if your air is clean.

[@vilsan.r.9875]

Whas it droy?

[@RickTheSpud]

Huh?

[@RayW808]

Never thought of the recharge kit as expensive😀 I do use simple green to clean it though, their spray runs out quick.

[@RickTheSpud]

Wouldn't say it's expensive, but there's other options that you prob already have at home. 😉

[@RickTheSpud]

That's one way, 🤔😉

[@RickTheSpud]

Sounds like you should do a vlog on this... 👊

[@fieldingmellish6856]

You sir do not know what you’re doing !! No one and I mean no one puts that much milk in their tea !

[@RickTheSpud]

I do! 😋😜

[@justjonzing3636]

Many things bad about this video. The water pressure is too high. Will damage the cotton. Dishwasher is a good degreaser, works fine. Not sure a about your cooking oil man

[@RickTheSpud]

Thanks for your concern. Water pressure is only out the tap. Could just chuck it in the dishwasher I guess. Oil is oil.

[@billt1803]

Nobody signed up to watch you make and drink coffee

[@RickTheSpud]

Just as well it was tea... 😉

[@gnomeranger]

How can we take you seriously when you put milk in your tea while the tea bag is still in the cup.

[@RickTheSpud]

Haha. I got the first line of that message on my lock screen and I thought it was someone crying about using fry oil on their car again! 😂 Tea is much more serious. I let it stew with the bag in, but then add the amount of milk I like and squeeze the bag to the desired colour! 😉

[@Jonjs99]

Nice!

[@muhammadibnkilab7026]

Not everyone online knows what he/she is doing.

[@RickTheSpud]

Huh?

[@muhammadibnkilab7026]

@@RickTheSpud yeah

[@RickTheSpud]

@@muhammadibnkilab7026 Who?

[@iangardner1807]

just waiting on my sausages now 😂😂😂😂

[@RickTheSpud]

😜😂

[@PizzaLov3r]

Title should read: How to Kill your Engine 😂🤦‍♂️😬😱

[@RickTheSpud]

Why's that?

[@ohnogenocide]

More like how to void the warranty for the filter. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@RickTheSpud]

@@ohnogenocide Prob best not to do it then... I've only been doing it 25 years, and 10 years with the same filter... 😉

[@cookieuk1278]

Thanks for vid. Great that you've shared your experience and always keen to find the non-commercial way (though then noticed your many as mason product plugs!! ). Generally wouldn't use fairy liquid (dishwash soap) on my toys as it contains salt and will cause corrosion. Tho I guess u haven't found that with the metal grille on these filters over the years. Any high flash point solvent (eg. Petrol, paraffin.. ) would work here given that oil residue they'd leave wouldn't be a problem. Normally brake cleaner is best for everything as no residue and if you can find £1 aerosol cans of it. Any oil wg. Engine oil fine.b

[@RickTheSpud]

Thanks Cookie! Yeah if there's a cheaper way to do the same job, it's officially a hack and I'm in! 👊😎 I hope you're subscribed? 😉

[@davee5384]

I was kinda interested in this until he used a hose end and more or less pressure washed both sides... DO NOT do what this guy says.

[@RickTheSpud]

Why? It's only the fan jet on a garden hose. Definitely not a pressure washer. Very low pressure.

[@theenglishtrucker1849]

🤦‍♂️

[@RickTheSpud]

🤷‍♂️

[@EdMori7]

💁🏼‍♂️

[@t3hPidGe1]

What the hell is this... Please if your car is worth more that £5 (which this isn't!) please do not follow this advise... You are just asking for problems you should only wash your K&N from one side for a start (opposite to the airflow) to wash the dirt out of the filter instead of pushing into the filter. A K&N filter cleaner kit is around £10 to £15 quid and depending on mileage will last years... It's a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild for getting god knows what oils in your engine. If you can afford the filter, you can afford the cleaning kit. Paul walker would be looking down in shame and turning in his grave.

[@RickTheSpud]

Wow! Say what you really think! 😂 As said in the other comments, if you don't want to do this, then please don't. First off, if you watch the video, you will notice I did wash the dirt back out the way it came in. And commented on the fact. I've also been doing it for years, in all my cars, and it's fine. We used to run no filter or a pair of stockings and it was fine. So this is tried and tested. What exactly do you think is going to happen to your engine by doing this that is so different from using the official cleaning kit? And what I use here is a degreaser and a spray oil. What do you think is in the kit? 🤷‍♂️ I'm assuming you only use manufacturer branded screen wash, just in case?

[@t3hPidGe1]

@@RickTheSpud so is it ok for me to put cooking oil in my gearbox or use it as hydraulic oil? What about in some bearings or even machinery. Or putting in 5w40 instead of 10w40 in an engine. The list goes on, different oils have different properties. And as for the stockings well that says it all. I am fully up for saving money and cutting costs but some people watching this might take it seriously and not as a joke.

[@RickTheSpud]

@@t3hPidGe1 100% there are certain oils for certain tasks, and I definitely wouldn't run cooking oil in a gearbox, although that would be better than no oil, and running 10w40 instead of 5w40 won't hurt anything, but not the best. I upped my oil from 5w30 to 5w40 FS to stop it using any, 5 years ago. No issues. It originally ran on 10w40 semi. Most engines use oil nowadays anyway. From new. The oil on the filter is just so tiny particles stick to it so it doesn't matter what you use. As said in the video, if you didn't oil it at all, any particles small enough to fit through the microscopic holes won't hurt an engine. But as I said. If you don't want to, guess what, don't. I've only done it for 20 years with no issues so I might just carry on. But then my cars not even worth a fiver so... 😉

[@jembe1342]

@@t3hPidGe1 well let’s face it, your response just goes to show you tried to come up with a reason to knock this, but are completely unable to. Starting with changing from 10w40 to 5w40. Go ahead. Perfectly fine. In fact, recommended by manufacturers for engines in severe service cold climates. Lower viscosity when cold is a good thing. On to the gearbox/hydraulic comment. Well that would be silly. Now you’re talking about oils that have detergents and additives, temperature ratings, viscosities etc. just a silly comparison really. The filter oil K&N uses serves literally no purpose as an oil as you know it. It is there to attract finer particles and that is it. It does not need any typical properties that oil in wear and lubrication applications needs. If ricks particular brand doesn’t sit well with you, pick another. I have heard that whilst the filter is out to be cleaned, if you see some pesky wasps or flies stuck in the filter, you should put 1 tablespoon of jam in the bottom of the air box. They’ll eat the jam and not get stuck in the filter! If you use marmite, you’ll reduce the number of wasps or flies by 50% because they either love it or hate it. 👌

[@t3hPidGe1]

This is bad advice. It's literally £10 for a cleaning kit. Would you give this advice to someone with an M3 or an Evo 8 for example. No. For such little cost it's just not worth the risk, of the potential damage it could cause. oils are not the same. Hence why there are 1000s of different oils for 1000s of different applications. People could be watching this video for advice and you could potentially write off someone's pride and joy. That's wrong.

[@gavinrichardson3918]

I use wd40 as a oil

[@RickTheSpud]

Can do but I think it dries out or evaporates. 🤔

[@troywhite602]

Really you shouldn't oil it period Specially if you have a mass air flow sensor the oil can cause it to clog up anyway you do not need those kits to clean those filters I've been buying those filters for like 15 16 years and never even knew those kits existed because no one used them you don't need them.use Dawn water, soak for 15 minutes let it dry those cats are just another useless thing that you don't need just like gas treatments people forget that gasoline is a hell of a cleaner by itself

[@RickTheSpud]

Yep agreed. Although I'm sure K&N wouldn't agree, that's why they sell those kits! 😜👌

[@jammerlr7780]

Bad advice here. Do this if you want to damage your filter and let you engine suffer the consequences

[@RickTheSpud]

How's that? Based on what experience? I've been doing this 20 years...

[@jammerlr7780]

@@RickTheSpud You have been doing it wrong for 20 years then. Submerging the entire filter permits the dirt and filter to migrate to the engine side of the filter. Applying detergent to the environment side and then flushing from from the engine side to the environment prevents that. Slapping the filter around doesnt help anything other than to damage the gauze element. Alternative cleaner and oils can be reasonably used as long as the proper cleaning and oiling procedures are used.

[@RickTheSpud]

I think you've thought too much about this. You're prob technically correct, but this works too. If it works it's not wrong.

[@jammerlr7780]

@@RickTheSpud It may technically “Work” in some areas and environments, but in dry areas with a lot of particulate matter in the air, its asking for trouble. I was a dealership tech for 15 years in the Southwest of the US and saw first hand the effects many times. Alternative cleaning detergents and oil are absolutely viable and I have used them many times myself, but the proper cleaning method really is important. There are lots of videos and articles online on the subject, but none are better than those on the K&N web site. They have been making serviceable gauze air filters for nearly 60 years now. They likely know a thing or two about how to service their products.

[@RickTheSpud]

I'm doing it for my environment, the UK. Unless you've got fine sand or dust visibly in the air, I wouldn't even oil it. 👊

[@johnmclaughlin2845]

You have done it all wrong you should have only put 2 spots of milk in the tea ❤

[@RickTheSpud]

No way man! Milky brew for me! Means you can get on and drink it quicker too! 😋😜

[@darcykuhlengel759]

Why are you clowns so worried about spending money for the PROPER supplies once a year???? K&N Exceeds SAE, ISO, and All factory warranties. Void all that by doing a bunch of "Mickey Mouse" things?? Use THE PROPER products.

[@RickTheSpud]

You do you bud. This is the same stuff you've got at home, in different packaging...

[@darcykuhlengel759]

Hi Rick. I apologize for coming across so caustic. I am a USCG Vietnam Engineman, Retired Nuclear Weapons Technologist, and, lifetime mechanic. I have used K&N for 40+ years. My issue is the minimal cost on supplies you use once-a year unless you have a fleet. I simply don't get it. Anyhow, people want to risk voiding warranties to save a few bucks fine. As for myself, I will use approved factory materials. My best regards, Keith

[@Threedog1963]

Hot tea and milk? Never understood that one.

[@RickTheSpud]

Defo! 😋

[@richardkaye2228]

The recharge kit is so cheap why would you bother using anything else 😂

[@RickTheSpud]

Because it's free and in the cupboard at home?

[@meckkz387c]

Clean hatche

[@RickTheSpud]

It's alright yeah. Less rusty than my MX5 that's 10 years newer! 😜😂

[@meckkz387c]

@@RickTheSpud these ones seem to be holding up well the older ones seem to be more susceptible to rust I live by Chicago

[@RickTheSpud]

Oh wow, OK. In the UK we salt all the roads in Winter and everything rots... 😭

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

Oiled the wrong side 😭

[@RickTheSpud]

I oiled both sides... 🤷‍♂️

[@troywhite602]

Really you shouldn't oil it period Specially if you have a mass air flow sensor the oil can cause it to clog up anyway you do not need those kits to clean those filters I've been buying those filters for like 15 16 years and never even knew those kits existed because no one used them you don't need them.use Dawn water, soak for 15 minutes let it dry those cats are just another useless thing that you don't need just like gas treatments people forget that gasoline is a hell of a cleaner by itself

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

@@troywhite602 I don't use the oil myself 👍

[@troywhite602]

Like I said that if you have one never use the oil and now it's being said that those filters on newer cars aren't great to have at all you don't need oil on your air filters it's just a useless product k&n sells i have fixed 3 cars where people put oil on those filters and it destroyed the mass air sensor. Air filter oil is about as useful as turning blinker fluid

[@RickTheSpud]

😂👌

[@sphinx5101]

Are u serious hahaha u can’t use those thing on it and u can’t use that oil haha

[@RickTheSpud]

I am serious hahahaha, I've been doing it for 20 years on all my cars, so please enlighten me as to why not?

[@sphinx5101]

@@RickTheSpud the cleaning soap ok but not that oil haha I’m sure your mass air flow meter does not run correctly using that

[@RickTheSpud]

@@sphinx5101 Same as the K&N oil, if you put too much on and the intake sucks it onto the MAF you be in trouble.

[@sphinx5101]

@@RickTheSpud I’m just not sure that oil would filter correctly but as long as your happy then it’s all good 👍

[@RickTheSpud]

@@sphinx5101 It's only got to make the filter tacky, what ever you use, to capture tiny particles. None of it should be going down the intake...

[@danielveiga6900]

How stupid it is to use pressurized water to wash the filter, the engineers who studied this filter say, or advise not to use pressurized water, so as not to damage the cotton that the filtration system is made of. Running water must be used!!! The detergent and oil you use is subjective, I prefer to use hydraulic steering oil... And the oil is applied on the side that does the suction and not on the inside... Making videos for nothing, to have videos on KZbin, full of errors... Sad!

[@RickTheSpud]

It's only stupid if it doesn't work, and it does, and it has for years. And everything anyone says is subjective. Make your own videos instead of pulling other people's videos apart with opinions. Sad.

[@danielveiga6900]

@@RickTheSpud But washing cotton filters with pressurized water never worked... Cotton + pressurized water = fiber rupture!!! You don't need to be very intelligent to understand this... If you are going to publish a video, you have to know what you are doing, so as not to mislead people and cause problems that may not appear immediately, but will certainly appear in the short term. If you post videos, you certainly like it when people like and tag you, but you also have to know how to accept criticism, or you are not psychologically prepared to post videos... I take this opportunity to inform you that dishwashing detergents can degrease cotton (filter) well, but they damage the rubbers, drying them out, losing their insulation characteristics and becoming hard.

[@RickTheSpud]

@danielveiga6900 Wow! That's a lot! I've done this for years, with this actual air filter, and it's been fine. So it is with experience and knowledge that I made this video. As with anything you see on the Internet mate, you don't have to do it.

[@FXSTB-i]

@@danielveiga6900🛎️🔚