My 1998 12 valve's previous owner put a K&N filter on it. There's no reference material for it and I was wondering how you service it. Any suggestions?

 

you can buy k/n air filter cleaner, just spray it on .. let it sit... rinse with fresh water.. let dry ( doesnt take long ) then re-oil with k/n oil. they have it in spray cans or squeeze bottles. i use the spray can. just becareful not to over oil it. spray it lightly, then let it sit for a min to wick into the material. just spray enough so it is just red ( no bare filter material showing ). again you do not want to over oil. take your time. i havent had any problems yet on anything with a k/n. good luck, scott

 

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One thing they don't emphasize enough for the Cummins application is that you should run a bead of silicone grease around the rubber seal of the filter before installing. I personally would do this even with a stock filter.

Avoid peeking in the airbox to check the filter unless you plan on servicing it as you will break this seal and may allow dirt to enter.
You can't tell just by looking whether a filter is blocked anyway, go by the filter minder.
I live in a dusty agricultural area and go 80-100K between servicing, not opening the airbox even once.

 

Bill,

Is the filter minder the clear plastic fixture with the graduations on it?

 

yes the filter minder is the thing on top of the fiter box that show how 'used' the filter is.

 

I was wondering if there was a way that you can test the filter minder to make sure that it is working properly?

 

The filter minder is such a simple device it would have to almost be visibly cracked or falling apart not to work. A lot of folks don't think their minder is working but it's not unusual for it not to move at all on a stock engine unless the filter is extremely clogged. Put some hp modifications on with a stock filter and I guarantee you will get it to move.

You could remove the minder and compare it's reading with a vacuum pump but an easier way to test it is to partially block the filter inlet with a piece of cardboard while the engine is running. You will have to remove the "snorkel" between the air box and wheel well first, something most folks should do anyways as it causes a restriction.