I just acquired a 1992 745 (NA) that is equipped with a K&N air filter. I have never had one before- paper elements are just fine with me.

However, now that I own one I went to the K&N site to see about cleaning them. It would appear to be a process that involves using three K&N products; one for cleaning and two for oiling. I am thinking that paper elements are looking more attractive all the time.

Does anyone have a home grown procedure that might bypass the K&N products. I am thinking a soak in kerosine, a dip in ATF with an overnight drain/blotting.

Randy

Step 1: Throw the K&N filter in the trash and get a real filter.

No, but seriously, all smart-assery aside, the oil-able filters allow larger sized particles through. If you live anywhere at all dusty, this is worth thinking about.
I wonder how much, if any, you save with the oiling supplies?
It seems to me like you could clean it with anything that won't destroy the foam, and then I would buy the K&N oil. It's *hopefully* formulated to be safe for O2 sensors and AMMs.

Good Luck!

Randy,

My opinion is these are worthless for a DD that makes lie 114 HP. They do not filter as well as good pleated filters and are a pain to reoil. I'd buy a filter from Mann or someone and call it a day for 30 or so thousand miles. Just my 2 cents, others mileage may be different than mine. Mike

Hello,

I did use this filter few years back. I used clothing detergent to soak it after 50k km. Rinse then hung to dry. I had to buy the original oil anyway for re-oiling thinking it would serve its purpose better than any other home-brew oil.

Later I did switch back to paper filter. With this the engine sounds much more refined and quiet. Not much performance loss either. My guess is paper filter has more laminar airflow thru the AFM. Ended up not using K&N anymore.

Amarin.

Preface this by denying I have any experience with K&N filters but thought it might be slightly useful to pass on the objection I've read before that seems to make sense. "The stock filter is huge and its surface area allows such small airflow reduction as the K&N can't improve on it, and some claim tiny parts of deteriorating foam accumulate on the hot wire (in LH cars) which survive the burn-off cycle."

How much stock stuff is broken to do the K&N trick? Airbox removed? Truth is, on the foam front, I've heard similar about the foam on the airbox flaps...
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"My father said there are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers.
The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better."