stock air filter dirty how to clean

[cooljello6233]

earlier today i went muddin and i went thru this water hole and water got in my air box and my filter got wet and dirty. i let the filter dry and put it back in and the runner started right up. but its pretty dirty and i was wondering how to clean it or should i just go buy a new one from autozone or somethin.

thanks for the comments

 

[rdgt4r]

i think once stock paper filters get dirty, wet, muddy i believe they are kinda shot but i not sure. i have a
K & N and when i get it dirty which is quite often its rinsable and your good to go.

 

[DavidAlexander]

I would probably grab a new filter. I don't think you can really clean the clogged pores of a paper filter.

Keep up the off roading, I love to hear of deep mud bogs.
:driving:

 

[K.C.]

Hey cooljello6233,

rdgt4r is absolutely correct.

If it's the stock paper air filter...swap out the old one, in with the new.

If you have the K&N air filter or an equivalent, you need to ...

 

[cooljello6233]

well then i guess im gettin a new paper air filter! thanks guys

 

[DewRunner]

do some reasearch on k&n, its more expense up front like $40 compared to $20 for paper, but k&n will go 50,000 to 100,000 on one cycle compared to 20K for paper, and it adds more HP and breathes better and in tho long run is cheaper, its only 10 dollars for a recharge kit, that lasts like 3-5 recharges compared to $20+ every 20k miles.

there are other kinds too. good luck

 

[p nut]

do some reasearch on k&n, its more expense up front like $40 compared to $20 for paper, but k&n will go 50,000 to 100,000 on one cycle compared to 20K for paper, and it adds more HP and breathes better and in tho long run is cheaper, its only 10 dollars for a recharge kit, that lasts like 3-5 recharges compared to $20+ every 20k miles.

If it breathes better, then it's letting more air in, which means it's also letting more dirt in.

Personally, I have owned 3 different cars and had K&N's in all of them. Each time I've changed the stock out for a K&N, I felt no power difference. It was a little louder, though. The only reason I got it was due to the fact that I could reuse it.

Then, I got to some research and people were having issues with oil getting on the MAF and screwing things up. Now, granted that these were probably user errors, but still, it makes it a non-user friendly device.

For me, I'm fine with changing out the stock filter every 15-20k miles and getting a fresh new one that won't potentially mess up the MAF and let more dirt in. $20 a year (15-20k miles) won't kill me.

 

[Qyota]

Totally agree with p nut. Paper filters better than gauze, and that's what's important.

 

[rdgt4r]

ive never had an issue with them its all debatable like if ford or chevy is better. ive heard foam filters are good like amsoil or something im not sure.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I like the K&N for the reuseability but it still filters fine for most applications and if they were ruining engines they would have went out of business a long time ago.

I ran one on my modded Eclipse and if large dirt particles were getting past it my turbo would've shown it and my turboes were fine.
I keep a paper one on hand when I clean the K&N.