K&N Air Filter

[Mix01FLHT]

Is there another oil that can be used for oiling the air filter and how much?

Thanks

[ChuckW698]

If you pay the big bucks for the K&N, why would want to change the oil used on it that it was designed to use.
The K&N Recharger kit, PN: 99-5000 does not cost that much, ($19.95) and will last for 20 or more uses.

   http://www.autoanything.com/air-filters/65A1993A0A0.aspx

[04glide]

I bought the recharge kit for $15 at a local autoparts store. It will last for quite a while.

[crash1292]

ran out of k@n oil so I just saturated it with atf and let it drip off

[mark61]

ran out of k@n oil so I just saturated it with atf and let it drip off

WAY too much oil!  Use a spray bottle and just "color" the filter.

mark61

[HDDOC]

Marvel Mystery Oil works well, sprayed on lightly from a pump bottle.  Doc

[crash1292]

ran out of k@n oil so I just saturated it with atf and let it drip off

WAY too much oil!  Use a spray bottle and just "color" the filter.

mark61

you should have seen the spray from it when it backfired thru the carb

[Memnar]

I used ATF when I ran out of K&N and was heading out of state and it did work in a pinch, but yea it was too much, too juicy.

[Mike52]

You don't have to buy the Recharge kit for the K&N, which includes the cleaner and oil, but I do buy the K&N oil in a separate bottle (a larger bottle of the oil costs less than the complete kit). I clean my K&N filters with Simple Green in a misting bottle, diluted 50/50 with water, then a thorough rinsing in hot, hot water, let it air dry completely, re-oil using the K&N oil.  JMO

Mike

[harleydave51]

Anybody not oil theirs? I rode a couple years without oiling and had no problems (that I'm aware of). Just like a dry filter.

[Caper]

Anybody not oil theirs? I rode a couple years without oiling and had no problems (that I'm aware of). Just like a dry filter.

K&N air filters come pre-oiled and don't need cleaning for 50,000 miles or until you can't see the screen, they recommend 25,000 miles before cleaning if you ride on dusty roads or off road.

[dohmixer]

Anybody not oil theirs? I rode a couple years without oiling and had no problems (that I'm aware of). Just like a dry filter.

Back in the old days when I took the bike in for service  I got it back with a clean DRY filter.

[HCC]

The K/N air filters should be cleaned every 5k miles on the scheduled service. If done properly, the recharge kit should last for quite some time. If you don't want to use that kit, we have also used the Drag Specialties cleaner and oil. The only difference is that it is Blue instead of Red. I guess one thing to consider is the warranty on the filter. If you put anything else on it, and they maybe able to test for that, then your replacement warranty would be no good any more.

[Mike52]

K&N air filters come pre-oiled and don't need cleaning for 50,000 miles or until you can't see the screen, they recommend 25,000 miles before cleaning if you ride on dusty roads or off road.

If I'm not mistaken that mileage is more for an automotive type environment such as a closed air box used on cars. Most M/C filters are exposed more to the elements than auto filters are. I sure wouldn't recommend going that distance on a bikes K&N before cleaning.  JMO

Mike

[Caper]

You're right, my mistake...but I think no need to clean until you can't see the screen could apply to a motosickle air filter too,but check at every service I don't think would be overkill.

[roadtrain]

K&N air filter....K&N oil kit, why you you want to change anything. After all isn't this why you purchased the K&N filter in the first place,,,,,,,great product doing a great job.

Just keep it how it was designed to work and everything will be good.

I read the comment about running these filters dry........I don't believe you would be doing you engine any favours as alot of dust would pass through your filters element.

RT

[JerseyT]

Re. washing a K&N filter in hot water ... I seem to recall that the cleaning instructions that come with K&N filters specifically state to not wash in hot water, only cool.  May have something to do with the fact that the filter media is made of cotton.

[Mike52]

Re. washing a K&N filter in hot water ... I seem to recall that the cleaning instructions that come with K&N filters specifically state to not wash in hot water, only cool.  May have something to do with the fact that the filter media is made of cotton.

Jersey, I've been cleaning the same K&N filter for 7 years with hot water and Simple Green, hasn't hurt it yet. At least it hasn't shrunk like a cotton t-shirt...........LOL

Mike

[Mix01FLHT]

K&N air filter....K&N oil kit, why you you want to change anything. After all isn't this why you purchased the K&N filter in the first place,,,,,,,great product doing a great job.

Just keep it how it was designed to work and everything will be good.

I read the comment about running these filters dry........I don't believe you would be doing you engine any favours as alot of dust would pass through your filters element.

RT

Roadtrain,

You probably use Harley oil in your Harley too!  Just because they make it, doesn't mean its the best.  Not opposed to using k&n oil, but, theres got to be something as good if not better.

Mix

[roadtrain]

K&N air filter....K&N oil kit, why you you want to change anything. After all isn't this why you purchased the K&N filter in the first place,,,,,,,great product doing a great job.

Just keep it how it was designed to work and everything will be good.

I read the comment about running these filters dry........I don't believe you would be doing you engine any favours as alot of dust would pass through your filters element.

RT

Roadtrain,

You probably use Harley oil in your Harley too!  Just because they make it, doesn't mean its the best.  Not opposed to using k&n oil, but, theres got to be something as good if not better.

Mix

No my friend I don't use harley oil, but I do use K&N oil on my filters as it's easy to obtain and I know it does the job it's required to do. I believe it's as good as you'll get so I see no reason to use something else.

If you were to switch to another brand of filter oil for your K&N filter what would be your reason?? I would hardly think it would be cost as you use very little, and how do you tell if one oil is better than another.

RT

[Billy]

Re. washing a K&N filter in hot water ... I seem to recall that the cleaning instructions that come with K&N filters specifically state to not wash in hot water, only cool.  May have something to do with the fact that the filter media is made of cotton.

Jersey, I've been cleaning the same K&N filter for 7 years with hot water and Simple Green, hasn't hurt it yet. At least it hasn't shrunk like a cotton t-shirt...........LOL

Mike

Just don't put it in the dryer!! 

[wildbill2566]

K&N filters are designed to run oiled. If its run dry the filtering capability is reduced, which means more engine wear. Run the correct oil and you cant go wrong, of course if you know more than the design engineers with all their testing data you should run what you think best.

[Mike52]

Just don't put it in the dryer!! 


Good advice!!!!   

[mackdog]

I've used a K&N on two diferent bikes and follow the instructions from the recharge kit. I'm not sure if the "oil" is the type we are used to using to lube everything else.  The stuff washes off way to easy with water and doesn't get all greasy. Seems like a true oil would be a b*^#h to get out of the filter element when it gets all dirtied up.  The K&N stuff cleans out way too easy(water soluble type oil)  Which is a good thing.  Also, to my way of thinking, the low restriction type filters should not be kept dry as some advocate but needs the "oil" to trap smaller particles and retain the low restriction ability. Just my thoughts.  MD

[Mike52]

I've used a K&N on two diferent bikes and follow the instructions from the recharge kit. I'm not sure if the "oil" is the type we are used to using to lube everything else.  The stuff washes off way to easy with water and doesn't get all greasy. Seems like a true oil would be a b*^#h to get out of the filter element when it gets all dirtied up.  The K&N stuff cleans out way too easy(water soluble type oil)  Which is a good thing.  Also, to my way of thinking, the low restriction type filters should not be kept dry as some advocate but needs the "oil" to trap smaller particles and retain the low restriction ability. Just my thoughts.  MD

Mackdog, your thoughts are right on the money, good points. Just because the filter oil is red doesn't mean any red oil (Marvel Mystery oil) will take it's place.

Mike

[Baghr]

I wouldn't think the oil would be water soluble, (just think of the mayhem a thunder storm would cause) but agree there might be a chemical composition of the oil that makes the cleaner more effective in its duties. 

For me it makes more sense to use the recharger kit as intended by the factory. JMHO.