I have a AEM filter that needs to be cleaned.
I watched a video about how to do it using the AEM cleaning liquid using a bucket full of water and I was wondering if anything else can be used to clean the filter besides the AEM cleaning liquid?

I was thinking maybe a grease cutting soap like dawn would work since AEM filters use dry flow technology instead of cotton?

 

i have used and cleaned various air filters over the years, but not an AEM that i can recall. all the filters have had basically the same instructions for cleaning and oiling. i normally use the K&N kit to clean and oil. works great. i'm sure the video you saw is basically the same way i've always cleaned air filters. spray the filter on the outside with the cleaner, use runing water (not high pressure) to rinse from the inside out, dry and oil. but at the same time i'm not certain of the construction of the AEM filters. it's possible they require a different procedure to clean depending on the material. hopefully someone else who has used and cleaned AEM filters can confirm what procedure to use.

 

Well in the video I watched they said that AEM filters use dry flow technology so they dont require oiling because there not made with cotton....
I guess all their filters are like that right?

So I thought maybe some liquid that simply cuts grease would do the job...
But how much is the AEM cleaning liquid and where can I get it?

 

bout 20 bucks from the aem website.

 

that's too much..all my money has to go to different projects im tied up with...i'll have to find an alternative.

 

$20 is too much for a cleaning solution you can use several dozen times over many years?

Seriously, I've used less than half of my bottle over 3 years, and I clean it too often anyway.

I would use a simple green (or other degreaser) and water solution (or dish soap & water), soak the filter, then rinse with cold water, if you don't want to purchase any "proper" cleaning solution for it (quotes because I doubt they're really necessary).

 

im pretty sure that solution is formulated to clean the filter correctly without damaging it.. but if u want to save some money now im sure any soap will work.. but if it affects the filter youre going to end up buying another one in the future anyway. so its up to u

 

i know the k&n 'recharger' kit is 12 dollars, just dont use the oil; only the cleaner...

 

as mentioned the K&N recharger kit doesn't cost much. that is what i've used and it lasts for pretty many cleaning sessions (i've had it for quite a few years). as ej1love stated, just use the cleaner from the kit and not the oil since the AEM filters do not require the oiling. then you will have the kit for many years to come for future cleaning.

 

^yepper

 

That's a good idea about using the K&N cleaner...I think that's what I'll use...Thanks!

 

u dont have to order it, it will be at any auto part store that sells k&N filters...

 

i bought my k&n recharge kit at o'rileys

 

Use plain water if it is a dryflow filter.

 

i need to clean my dry flow filter too but didnt kno how too. i think im gonna try the dish soup and water

 

yeah just use water because AEM is a dry flow filter and doesnt need oil