DIY : How to clean your K&N filter

Wow its been about 17,000 km after the installation of the K&N replacement filter. So its due for cleaning.

Here is a simple guide on how to do it... I know there is a manual included in the service kit, but this is a hands-on guide (more practical) and with coloured pictures!!!

Also a note to all those that want to perform this...make sure you that you have the whole day and you won't be using your car. Otherwise, you might want to swap in a temporary stock air filter 1st before performing the cleaning. This is because the drying of the K&N filter takes quite a long time! So please be warned!

Step 1 : Purchase the K&N Service Kit ( Recharger) .

Should look like the picture below. Weird thing is there is no part no. written on the box.


Step 2 : Remove the K&N filter.

For reference on how to remove the filter from the engine compartment. Please refer to my earlier posting http://spoonboi.blogspot.com/2007/10/diy-installing-k-filter.html

Picture below is how the K&N filter looks like after 17,000 kms. Notice the black spots of dirt....


Step 3: Apply cleaner

Now the Service kit should include 2 white coloured bottles as shown below :-

- Use the BIG bottle...which reads Air filter cleaner as shown below :-

- Now what you want to do is to spray an even amount on both the clean side & dirty side of the filter. Make sure it completely covers all area of the element.

- Allow the cleaner to soak for a good 10 minutes. The cleaner actually helps loosen dirt trapped on the filter.

Step 4: Rinse

Now rinse off the filter with cool running water. Note : do not those jet spray, just runing water will do.

You might need to repeat steps 3 and 4 if your filter is extremely dirty.

Step 5: Drying

Gently shake off existing water and allow the filter to dry naturally! <-- this means no external use of hair dryer \ heat guns or etc

Now this will take at least 5-6 hours. In normal room temperature. I kid you not! Now it is important to let the element completely dry off before the next step of oilling. If the filter element is not completely dry it would not be able to absorb the oil and thus affecting its effectiveness.

So I really recommend that you be patient. ( I left mine to dry for the whole day)

Step 6: Oiling

For this use the smaller white bottle which reads.."Air Filter Oil" =P

- to apply the oil make sure it done on the dirty side of the filter only! Pic below shows my dirty side... i mean the filter's dirty side.

Alright notice that the 1st two rows of the elements has been oiled. Notice the color difference. You should apply this evenly on all plates of the element. What I do is, for the 1st row of element- I start from the top down then the next row bottom up. And vice versa.

- To apply the oil just gently squeeze the bottle lightly. You want to be able to apply the oil evenly. Not too much otherwise it will be a waste and I resulting in a very sticky element which I think will result in poor performance. Do it just right.

- After applying the oil. Wait 20-30 minutes to let the oil absorb to the clean side. (remember you only apply on the dirty side!)

- Now you might want to visually inspect both the clean\dirty side of the filter to make sure that the color is the same.

Face the filter to the light to be able to get a clearer picture!

- You might need to continue the oilling procedure until there is an even red color over the entire surface of the clean & dirty side of the filter. So be patient in doing this.

- for your info I used approx 25 oz of Oil to completely re-oil my filter. Now this depends on size as well. Mine is specific for Nissan Sentra N16.

Step 7 : Filter installation

For this you might want to refer again to http://spoonboi.blogspot.com/2007/10/diy-installing-k-filter.html


Tadaa!!! you're done!

I also took the oppurtunity to stick the K&N filter stickers on the filter box. Serves also as a warning!

K&N filter - 1-3bhp

Clean K&N filter - 4-5bhp

K&N stickers - 25-30bhp

One year old

Tribute to my one year old.... =P

DIY : Installing the K&N filter

1. This is the picture of my engine. Obviously step number ONE is open your bonnet! hehehe

Notice how clean it is...clean on the outside...clean on the inside too!

.

2. Un-hook the clips on the air filter box. Notice the red cirles on the pic, it shows you the location of those clips.

Four Clips all together...sorry the red circles are pretty hard to see....

More pics on how to un-clip those hooks...pretty easy.

3. Gently lift up the upper box by using your thumb. Now the stock filter can be removed by sliding it out to the side.

Notice the strong muscular thumb...

This is how the stock air filter looks like after approximately 4500++ KMs. Quality is not bad for a paper type filter!

4. Remove the K&N filter from its box. And tear open the plastic coverings.

Comparison between K&N filter and stock filter.

5. Lift up the upper box again. Notice how i used my thumb to lift it from the side. Slide in the K&N filter.

Notice it fits in so nicely...

6. Make sure the filter sits nicely on its place. Clip back on the 4 clips as shown above. Make sure that the air filter box is sealed properly.

DONE!

Things you need...

1. Index fingers... to pry open the clips.
2. A strong muscular thumb....to lift up the filter box.

5000 KM Service

Time to send my car for it's 5000km service. Amazing how fast the mileage clocks in...

So far no major complains with the car. I only had a problem with the immobilizer and the central locking switch panel which wasn't working. But that was sorted out during the 1st service. However, to my dismay....my central locking system somehow doesn't lock when i use the remote controller to lock my doors.

Ohh well.... got to get that sorted out tomorrow at Tan Choong service centre. There is also this weird vibrating noise whenever I go through small bumps..... Hope they're able to get this sorted out.

Anyway... This is going in after the 5000 km service

Notice it prints "Designed to Increase Horsepower & Acceleration" ....wooohoooo Horsepower!!!<--- that's what the Sentra needs and lots of it!

K&N Air Filter - Part No: 33-2031-2

Since its time for service, I thought I might as well get the car some decent Oil. The 1st service Tan Choong recommends that we stick to Castrol Mineral Oil. Which is fine when breaking in the engine, since you're not suppose to rev the car anyways...

So after 5000km....its time for some Castrol Fully Synthetic Oil! Ohh yeahhh...the sound of that makes me tingle...

I got me this :-

Castrol Edge - 5W40

This are some details taken from the Castrol website about the Castrol Edge 5W40 oil

FOR PRESTIGE AND HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES
(Castrol’s best fully synthetic oil)

Castrol Edge has been specifically formulated for prestige and performance vehicles. It is developed by Castrol’s best, full synthetic, low viscosity technology. The exceptional characteristics of this free flowing oil delivers ultimate wear protection and optimum engine performance right from start up. Castrol Edge has been engineered to meet the toughest industry standards and specifications across all critical engine factors.

Benefits

• Full Synthetic engine oil
• SAE 5W40 – excellent low temperature flow for superior protection right from start up.
• Helps to deliver the all important boost in engine power
• Deliver superior thermal stability, ensuring minimal engine deposits for cleaner internals
• Ensures engine protection from the first moment of ignition, minimizing wear and damage
• Exceeds high performance standards set by premium car manufactures including all modern Europeans and Japanese prestige vehicles
• Meets modern emission systems’ needs
• Uses synthetic technology to deliver improved performance over conventional oil

Applications

Castrol Edge is recommended for all modern petrol and diesel family and sports car where the best in engine efficiency and engine protection is demanded.

Performance Levels

• Exceeds latest API SM/CF specification
• SAE 5W40
• ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
• Approved for VW: 502 00, MB: 229.3, BMW Longlife-98
  
  * THIS DATA SHEET DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT IN TERMS OF PROPERTIES

Old times...things u wished you still had

Debadging

Okay, this is my first DIY project on my new car.... debadging! In case you guys do not know what that is....in simpler 'tak-tau-apa-tentang-kereta' term <--- its simpy removing the car emblems! What ? remove emblems? Siao argh? Yah...seriously, I find cars that are sold in Malaysia are often overly 'badged'. Just look at my car for example...

See so many emblems...got SENTRA la...1.6VTC la....SG la...

essshh so irritating rite? as if people dunno its a sentra...and must put it BIG BIG 1.6VTC somemore!

If you look at other car makes, its also the same...PROTON...WIRA...1.6GLi.... HONDA...1.8 VTEC...VTI... and many many more la...

Ok ok....back to debadging.

How to debadge your car....

1. Wash the areas around the badges you want to remove; if the car needs a wash this is a good time to do the car.

2. Heat up badge with hair dryer, test the amount of heat you are putting on the paint with your hand, you do not want to over heat the paint. If are removing lettering or numbering work on one character at a time. Heat for ten to fifteen seconds checking the heat the entire time.

3. Spray a generous amount of adhesive remover on the badge, hold a cloth below the badge to keep the adhesive remover from dripping.

4. Heat again for another five to ten seconds, again checking the heat.

5. Using the dental floss start to cut the badges off. Pull the dental floss away from the car so that it is rubbing on the badge and not the car. If there is much resistance to the dental floss cutting the adhesive reheat and reapply the adhesive remover. Having a friend hold the badge helps so they do not go flying off.

6. With the badge off you now have to deal with the leftover adhesive. Carefully try to peal off the corner, if there is much resistance, reapply heat and adhesive remover. Slowly peal the adhesive off; hopefully it will come off in one piece. Be careful not to scratch the paint by using your fingernails to "dig" at the adhesive.

7. With the badge and adhesive off move onto the next character or badge.

8. Use a wet wash cloth to clean the dirt that you could not get before. I applied some wax just to remove the dirt and provide some protection for the paint.

THAT'S IT FINISH!

Some stuff you need...

1. Adhesive Remover (I bought this from Ace Hardware shop. Made in UK, was looking for the 3M one but could not find. But this worked so well, and it even smells GOOD! Not cheap though, RM19.90)

2. Car Wax


3. Dental Floss (Oral B <--- branded sia!)


4. Clean cloth <-- no need pictures rite
5. Hair Dryer <-- errmm you should know how it looks like

So here are the results!

Say No to badges! By the way, these are for sale if you wanna buy them.... =)

If Good things don't go, how do better things come?

Wow! its been a while since I last posted...I appologize for that, have been so busy with so many things I hardly have any time to post anything anymore!

Anyway....you know I've been a car nut ever since I've got my driving license...ever since then I've been changing cars so often, let me list the cars that I've owned in order


1. Nissan Sunny
2. Honda Civic EG8
3. Honda Civic EG4 (converted it to B16A...then B20B<---hahaha long story)
4. Honda Integra DC2 SiR
5. Honda Civic SR3 (B16A)
6. Hyundai Getz
7. Honda Civic SH3 (B16A)
8. Proton Satria GTI (GSR-Turbo)
9. Proton Putra
10.Nissan Sentra

Ya, I know I know...its not an impressive list. But I did enjoy those times modding those cars. Racing on track...drag racing...and of course the illegal drag races! hehehe

Can't believe it right? no.10 taa daaa! Nissan Sentra! yay! Just got it about 6 days ago! =)

Anyway, here are some pics of my latest ride....

Wonder what no. 11 will be? hehehehe

Cars

Confession

I love cars! I really really do!.....big ..small...round...square... I like them all ! But if you asked me, which 10 cars would make it to my garage if I had all the money in the world! Well, this started me thinking. Got to limit to 10 ler, otherwise the list will be forever...

Ok here goes.... (note that the cars listed here is in no particular order)

1. Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale (CS)

Notice that is has to be the Challenge Stradale (CS) model....

2. Subaru Impreza S204

3. Toyota Trueno (AE86)

4. Nismo Nissan Skyline R34 GTR Z Tune

Ohh yeah.... only 20 units in the world

5. Ariel Atom

This is one of my favourites... just look at it! its perfect! power to weight ratio is madness! And its road legal too!

6. BMW M3 CSL

7. Koenigsegg CCX

This made it to my list...i mean just look at it man! Just imagine someone asking you, "What car do you drive?".... a koenigsegg ....woohooo! it sounds so cool...i rike!

8. Hummer H2

I like the H2...looks old school. And of course the 30" bling blings...can't go wrong with dat YO!

9. Honda S2000

Swwwweeeeettt!

10. Bentley Continental Flying Spur

This will probably be my ride to work! hahaha.... did I mentioned 550 horsepower! Well they don't call it a 'flying' spur for nothing.