since I've owned my AFE for over a year now, I've cleaned it 2 maybe 3 times... the 1st thing I noticed was the amount of dirt that came off during the cleaning process (using the AFE cleaning kit) was minimal. So today I decided to put it to the test and use the K&N cleaning solution on one half of the filter and the AFE cleaning solution on the other half. I applied the AFE solution 1st, then the K&N and waited about 13~15 minutes. using the sprayer in the kitchen sink and hot water, I rinsed from the inside out as we're supposed to do, 1st doing the K&N side, then the AFE side.
Right off the bat, a ton of dirt poured out of the filter from the K&N cleaning solution side, I rinsed it until the water came out clear. then on to the AFE side, almost no dirt came out of the filter, I was kind of expecting this so this is why I did it. I took a before pic when I yanked the filter right out of the truck, I will take a post cleaning pic right after the filter has time to dry... even wet you can clearly see a difference.
I just took a 2nd pass at rinsing the filter and even more dirt came out of the K&N side, so much now to the point it looks white again as it did when it was new. the AFE side is still brown... When I'm done with this, I plan on recleaning the AFE side with the K&N cleaner before re-applying the oil.
also for anyone who wants to utter a warranty word... lol, forget it. it's a filter and it needs to be clean to work right and I'm convinced already the K&N solution is the way to go...
Results...
Filter after I just pulled it
1st pass... I used the seam as a starting point.
Filter after using K&N cleaning solution on the left side in the pic, AFE cleaning solution on the right.
back side after 1st pass
K&N water after 2nd pass 1/2
K&N water after 2nd pass 2/2
AFE water after 2nd pass 1/2
AFE water after 2nd pass 2/2
Filter after 2nd pass 1/3
Filter after 2nd pass backside 2/3
filter after 2nd pass backside 3/3
What the AFE solution left behind on 3rd pass (only cleaned the AFE side) 1/2
What the AFE solution left behind on 3rd pass (only cleaned the AFE side) 2/2
Filter after 2 1/2 cleanings... 2 K&N's, 2 AFE's & a 3rd K&N on the AFE side 1/2
Filter after 2 1/2 cleanings... 2 K&N's, 2 AFE's & a 3rd K&N on the AFE side 2/2
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I'm surprised that the K&N solution cleaned your AFE filter better then the AFE cleaner did. What you just had happen to you is one more reason why I will use a dry nano type air filter ( you clean it with compressed air) and not an oil based air filter like you have.
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2006 Ram 2500
Big Horn Edition
Stock 5.9L CTD
Mineral Gray Met.
Quad Cab 4X4
Auto, 3.73's
I wish I'd thought of this when I started... I'm running a 2nd cleaning solution thru both halves and am going to catch the water as I run the sprayer thru it... definately the 1st pass would have been awesome to take pics of as the K&N solution took out alot more dirt. I just took a pic prior to applying the 2nd pass solution and you can see the K&N side is much cleaner. I will post pics when I'm done in about an hour... (drying time, doggy run etc...)
From day one when I had me ferd I used K&N filter and always did the "soak in bucket" thing usually let it sit overnight. I use simple green and water mix dunk filter in bucket "open end up" so as not to allow any debries from getting "inside" the filter. Simple green is a gentle "degreaser" which helps dissolve the oil and in turn clean the filter. I do as Steve mentioned runkitchen sink tap with "shower" spray on the inside first, thenrinsefrom the outside in. I too amamazed at just how much dirt/debries is in the bucket as well as what gets "rinsed" out!!
judging from the way it looks and the p/n, i'd say it's a PG7 filter which would require the cleaning I just gave mine.
I have updated the top post... have a look.
Hey splat, I never thought of the simple green idea... have you ever followed that cleaning up with a spray type cleaning to see what was left behind? I'm almost tempted to do a 4th cleaning on my filter but I'm running out of time... doggie needs his run and I have to go to the geek store (Fry's electronics) before traffic starts piling up...
I did away with my k&n filter on my 93. would never come clean, and always reistricted the air too much. went back to stock and the engines happier.
I just cleaned my air filter ( K&N ) last week while doing my oil change. I used the last of my K&N cleaner and I was going ot use some Simple Green but I didn't for whatever reason. I'm glad to hear that had I used the Simple Green that everything would have been fine.
Splat - have you ever compaired Simple Green to K&N cleaner?
very cool Steve... thanks for doing the write up. I wonder.... could K&N's solution be damaging to the AFE media ? I'm sure both solutions are only concentrated soap but, I wonder if certain media's require certain solvents ?
Isn't the K&N paper and the AFE fiber ? Not sure myself.
AFE Filter Cleaning
1998.5 Ram Cummins 24 valve turbo diesel
