just wanted to know what and how long it takes to clean out my CAI. I remember reading something that said to do it every 15k but it also said that it would require taking the intake out and rinsing it clean, which would take a few hours to a day, which means I'd be out of a ride

I also read something that said dirty/clogged intakes severely reduce MPGs.

say it ain't so guys!

 

Yes, you have to take the filter out and clean it. You also have to oil it depending on the material (you said you have a CAI, most of the time they're made out of foam, so yes you have to oil). Don't be impatient and try to rush the cleaning or drying process. To avoid use of your car, just clean it out before you go to bed, and let it dry while you're sleeping and pop it back in tomorrow.

A dirty filter does effect gas mileage...but nothing I would consider "severe".

EDIT:

I don't have any experience specifically with Injen, but they didn't give you a cleaning kit or anything?
If they didn't, you can always go buy the K&N cleaning kit at Autozone or where ever.


Modified by R Legend at 6:43 PM 8/13/2008

 

k&n cleaning kit works well. i walked down the street the last time i did mine to the gas station and blew it out with compressed air to help it dry faster cause i was going on vaca that night

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by draken187 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">k&n cleaning kit works well. i walked down the street the last time i did mine to the gas station and blew it out with compressed air to help it dry faster cause i was going on vaca that night</TD></TR></TABLE>

if you read any cleaning instructions I don't care who's, it says not to use compressed air. The pressure from the air causes the holes to open which can let in more dirt to your engine

 

i have about 2 hours this evening or a half day on a weekend to take it to the shop to get it done. Impossible i guess? I do NOT have the time to be without a car for a full day. I also can't even attempt to do it myself since i'm mechanically retarded, especially with our tiny engine bays. I guess i'm S.O.L.? 20 MPGs here i come.

 

15k is very short...... I'd say go 30k, they're designed so the dirt restricts the flow slightly and improves the filtering over time. (At least for K&N cone filters) Your gas mileage probably won't go down... at all... and certainly the flow won't be anywhere near what it was with a stock paper air filter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jewjew bean &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

if you read any cleaning instructions I don't care who's, it says not to use compressed air. The pressure from the air causes the holes to open which can let in more dirt to your engine</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2, and don't use a hair dryer either, cotton does shrink!

 

Reuseable filters (esp K&N) seem great, but they never get as clean no matter how meticulous you are with your process or products - and while we're on the subject, I am not sure they are real great filters anyway, I knew a guy who raced dirt/sand and was sponsored by K&N but told me that inside the K&N he had another (brand name withheld - I am not spamming) filter so that he didn't eat up his rotating assembly.

 

Ok. I probably should have mentioned this in the first post. My CAI is an Injen and i'm just worried about:

1.) If a mechanically retarded kid like me can do it (with our child-sized engine bays)
2.) What exactly i should do.
2.) How long it should take to clean it/air it out/etc.

 

you can clean it and oil it and put it back on in about an hour and 15 minutes.
first rinse it out with a hose
let it dry for about 15 minutes and then re-oil
let it sit for about an hour, then put it back on.

 

Nice. Thanks man. Now, what type of oil?