How to Clean and Re-Oil Your Air Filter

One of the most commonly asked questions in our service center is, “How do I clean my air filter?” In this tutorial, we explain the differences between oiled and dry filters, as well as how to clean and re-oil them. We’ve even created a free re-oiling calculator so you know precisely how much oil to use. You'll come across people online complaining about oil filters caking up their MAF sensor located in their air intake tube. This occurs only when filters are improperly oiled. In this video, we’ll show you the right way to do it so this doesn't occur. If properly cared for, your Ram-Air filter element should last years and years.

Re-Oiling Calculator

Shop Banks Ram-Air Intake Systems

Shop for Pre-Filters. Enter Year, Make, Model

00:00 Intro
00:35 When to service your air filter
01:16 Cleaning large debris
02:00 Filter cleaner tips
02:19 Cleaning products to avoid
02:27 Rinsing
02:56 Drying
03:20 Oil Calculator
05:56 Re-oiling filter
08:55 Filter wicking

#howto #mechanicalengineering #engineering

[barrypederson]

This is better video than K&N actual video

[senatorchinchilla]

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.

[Mehoff]

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

[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.

[mjb]

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.

[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.

[Domman]

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

[pgmurray]

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!

[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.

[paulbenderavich]

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.

[opaandomascampingadventures]

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

[PorscheRacer]

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.

[Thomato]

Thank you! Very useful information.

Also, I love the French-american accent. 😁
Merci beaucoup !

[ronaldrussell]

Thank you. Nice explanation and demonstration.

[onefastcyclist]

Thank you - Banks leads the RIGHT way again

[lolzlarkin]

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

[madkspeed]

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.

[QuandOnMonnecomptepas]

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

[downup]

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.