[PSA] CLEAN YOUR INTAKE FILTER

[ne0guri]

Just wanted to give a friendly reminder to everyone to clean your intake filter! ESPECIALLY if you have a cold air intake.

My Si is the first car I’ve modified so I’m still new on the whole upkeep and maintenance of various parts. Lately my fuel trims have been super off (-15 - -20% LTFT) and running very rich. I’ve been getting a lot of backfire from the exhaust because I assume there is too much fuel in the mixture.

Got my PRL Cobra CAI back when it first came out and I NEVER cleaned the filter since purchasing (almost 2 years!!)

As you can see... my filter was extremely filthy and I most likely wasn’t getting proper air flow which in turn caused incorrect fuel trims.

(Lol weren’t these filters red at one point? Whoops!)

So now that I’ve cleaned and re oiled the filter, my fuel trims have now gone back to normal range! Plus the car definitely feels smoother and seemed to have gained a bit of power now that everything has stabilized again. I also ended up getting one of those Injen Hydroshields to try and keep the filter clean longer (plus the added benefits of preventing hydro lock).

So once again... CLEAN YOUR FILTERS!

 

[ElmoHongZito]

Just wanted to give a friendly reminder to everyone to clean your intake filter! ESPECIALLY if you have a cold air intake.

My Si is the first car I’ve modified so I’m still new on the whole upkeep and maintenance of various parts. Lately my fuel trims have been super off (-15 - -20% LTFT) and running very rich. I’ve been getting a lot of backfire from the exhaust because I assume there is too much fuel in the mixture.

Got my PRL Cobra CAI back when it first came out and I NEVER cleaned the filter since purchasing (almost 2 years!!)

As you can see... my filter was extremely filthy and I most likely wasn’t getting proper air flow which in turn caused incorrect fuel trims.

(Lol weren’t these filters red at one point? Whoops!)

So now that I’ve cleaned and re oiled the filter, my fuel trims have now gone back to normal range! Plus the car definitely feels smoother and seemed to have gained a bit of power now that everything has stabilized again. I also ended up getting one of those Injen Hydroshields to try and keep the filter clean longer (plus the added benefits of preventing hydro lock).

So once again... CLEAN YOUR FILTERS!

I think am having a similar issue. Is there a good video somewhere that shows how to clean and re-oil the filter properly? I have never done this and want to make sure I purchase the right stuff and do it right.

 

[ne0guri]

I think am having a similar issue. Is there a good video somewhere that shows how to clean and re-oil the filter properly? I have never done this and want to make sure I purchase the right stuff and do it right.

It’s very easy to clean, I don’t know what kind of intake you have, but I have PRL so I purchased the cleaning kit on their site:

https://prlmotorsports.com/rechargeoilandcleanerkitblue.aspx

All you do is remove the filter and spray the crap out of the it with the cleaner. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes and then wash it with water (spraying the water from inside the filter to outside). I actually did this process twice because of how Dirty the filter was. Then you let it dry (shake off excess water) and then spray the supplied oil.

I should have made a video, but it was my first time cleaning the filter so I didn’t think about filming.

 

[bluehatch17]

You need to state how many miles you had your intake before you realized you had issues.

 

[Lola]

I should have made a video, but it was my first time cleaning the filter so I didn’t think about filming.

and please explain, what is this mysterious “filming” of which you speak?

 

[ne0guri]

You need to state how many miles you had your intake before you realized you had issues.

How many miles is pointless which is why I stated I never cleaned it in 2 years. Everyone goes through different driving conditions so it’s just best to check it if:

A. You have KTuner and can see unusual fuel trim ranges

B. Just do it or check it when doing an oil change

But the box on the recharge kit states that you should clean it once a year or every 20,000 miles and even sooner if you drive in extreme conditions.

 

[Shankmeyster]

I change my stock air filter every 10k miles. You should probable be checking and cleaning aftermarket ones at the same time. About 10k miles and you are most likely going to notice a good amount of crud.

 

[jayee]

K&N's kit works as well:

https://www.amazon.com/99-5000-Aerosol-Recharger-Filter-Service/dp/B00029WYEY

Cleaning is easy:

• Remove filter
• Spray the cleaning solution all around the filter and let it soak for a minute before rinsing off with water
• Repeat until all the dirt is gone
• Let the filter dry completely
• Spray the oil over the filter till it is nice and evenly coated
• Let the filter dry completely
• Reinstall filter

 

[alias Igme]

and please explain, what is this mysterious “filming” of which you speak?

Filming = taking a video.
Maybe you are jesting, but if not, I am guessing that you belong to the younger age group (videos are taken via digital mediums now)

 

[David Harper]

and please explain, what is this mysterious “filming” of which you speak?

I think it may be related, in some way, to the strange "road maps" which I have heard spoken of by some.

 

[bgutierrezx]

as obvious as it seems you're right, I'm in the same boat. I haven't cleaned mine in two years. might just do that this weekend. Good excuse to buy parts at harbor freight ha. im blowing it with air & calling it good since my injen filters says to not use "cleaners"

 

[julianzh]

I just buy a new one from Honda each year.

 

[charleswrivers]

Filming = taking a video.
Maybe you are jesting, but if not, I am guessing that you belong to the younger age group (videos are taken via digital mediums now)

I still refer to it as, "taping it" so... yeah. My kids one time called me out in it, thinning I was going to use scotch/duct tape to do something... (sigh). Made me want to tell at them to get off their lazy butts and go adjust the tracking. I was the designated tracking-adjuster-kid, being the youngest out if my siblings.

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