Cosmo CAI Filter, how to clean?

[Herb]

Ack, I thought it was a K&N filter so I used a cleaning kit I had on hand to wash it, but then when the filter still looked red, I realized I think I made a boo boo.I can't find any documentation on the Cosmo website so no help there.So does anyone know what I should have used, and is it still OK?I was planning a weekend trip, but now I don't know if it's safe to drive with the filter as it is now.I'm not sure I can find anything else locally either, too late in the day to check on that now. Plus with the long weekend coming up I think I'll be SOL for having anything ordered in.Suggestions?

[BadBrew]

I've seen some videos showing people washing their filter (in and out) in water and dish soap. Make sure you rinse it thoroughly and dries out completely before reinstalling it.The original filter is probably the cheapest basic cone filter available, so I changed mine for a Ractive cone filter from CT instead of washing it.Some say that you can use the K&N recharge kit (after washing it) on a non-oiled based filter and even use cooking oil instead of the recharge kit, but I think they are very wrong doing this.

[keithvibe]

wash it like a k&n filter.it's red because the colored the filter that color... Don't worry you didn't do a boo-booOnce it's dry, oil it with the K&n oil, lightly. Let it sit in the sun for a few hours. Then install.I've done this many times with out issue

[Herb]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »wash it like a k&n filter.it's red because the colored the filter that color... Don't worry you didn't do a boo-booOnce it's dry, oil it with the K&n oil, lightly. Let it sit in the sun for a few hours. Then install.I've done this many times with out issueI got worried because I originally thought it was a K&N filter that came with the Cosmo. I used to run a K&N drop in on my Dodge Shadow and I seem to remember that when cleaning, most of the color rinsed outAnyways, I managed to talk to someone at Cosmo today, they told me the filter medium is red in color, and that the K&N cleaning kit is what is recommended for washing the filterI just have to be careful when oiling it, as it probably would be harder to see how much oil I have on the filter.But just in case, I went and ordered an AEM dryflow filter. I seem to remember someone using a 21-202DK so I hope it works. Should have it by tomorrow

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by Herb »But just in case, I went and ordered an AEM dryflow filter. I seem to remember someone using a 21-202DK so I hope it works. Should have it by tomorrowI am using the AEM #21-203DK with the K&N intake on my '09 GT. I love the AEM filters for the simple fact that they don't need to be re-oiled. One less thing to worry about. The AEM filter has been installed about a year now and I routinely use the air compressor to blow it out and I also tap it on the ground, but so far it doesn't seem to be getting very dirty. Just a few bugs and some dust here and there. I have read many places that water and dish soap (not too much) are the best way to clean a filter. Like BadBrew said, just make sure to rinse it really well and let it dry completely before re-installing it and you should be fine.

[keithvibe]

they make a cleaning kit for the dryflow filter I would recommend ONLY using that to clean the filter.

[Herb]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »they make a cleaning kit for the dryflow filter I would recommend ONLY using that to clean the filter.Guess I should have asked about it when I ordered the filter, but that can wait a bit.Here's the link to the kit at AEM's website: http://www.aemintakes.com/sear...1-110and then cleaning instructions: http://www.aemintakes.com/air_...s.htm

[keithvibe]

[QUOTE=J_TO_ENVY] I routinely use the air compressor to blow it out QUOTE]Your going to ruin your filter accidently...

[jkm311]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »[QUOTE=J_TO_ENVY]I routinely use the air compressor to blow it out QUOTE]Your going to ruin your filter accidently... Second that sentiment. Also, frequently cleaning the K&N filters is not recommended. Letting some build up occur over many, many miles actually benefits the filter's effectiveness. I was washing mine every year (every 9-10k or so), thinking I was allowing it to breathe more by doing so, when in actuality, K&N recommends the opposite. Seeing that dark area in the center of the filter is a good thing, and you should only be cleaning it every 50,000 miles if you drive in paved road conditions. Sooner, if driving on dirt roads. This goes against my neurosis of cleaning things, but if it saves me from having to go through the oiling process every year, I'll get over it! From K&N's site:How often do I need to clean my K&N air filter?If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your filter is fine and does not yet need cleaning. To be more specific, the filter does not require cleaning if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the filter, it is time to clean it. When used in normal paved road, street or highway conditions, our replacement air filters that fit in the factory air box should require cleaning every 50,000 miles and our large conical filters on an intake system should require cleaning every 100,000 miles. When used in dusty or off-road environments, our filters will require cleaning more often. We recommend that you visually inspect your filter once every 25,000 miles to determine if the screen is still visible.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »they make a cleaning kit for the dryflow filter I would recommend ONLY using that to clean the filter.Quote, originally posted by Herb »Guess I should have asked about it when I ordered the filter, but that can wait a bit.Here's the link to the kit at AEM's website: http://www.aemintakes.com/sear...1-110and then cleaning instructions: http://www.aemintakes.com/air_...s.htmQuote, originally posted by keithvibe »Your going to ruin your filter accidently...Hmmm... you learn something new everyday ! Thanks for the heads up guys. I guess from now on I will just lightly tap it out every once in a while and I guess I won't have to worry about actually cleaning it for quite some time . Thanks again for the links and info!

[Herb]

OK, being that I had the day off I decided to change over the filters.However after opening the box, I got a bit of a surprise. uh oh...Guess I should have saved more info regarding that part number that a GV user in the past had posted.

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[Herb]

So I figure I'd better take out the battery and bumper so I can try to adjust the angle of the bottom segment to hopefully make this fit. This was the tightest I could tuck it in, but no cigar, the indentation for the foglamp in the lower bumper cover gets in the way no matter what

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[Herb]

Time to improvise.I abandoned the lower segment in favor of a 2" 45degree PVC adapterNot ideal as it's a sharper angle, plus it has indentations to accommodate a PVC pipe so it's not even on the inside, not to mention narrowerI suspect that this will create flow restriction and turbulence, but it's the best I can come up with on short notice.

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[Herb]

So here it is installed before the bumper cover, and it fits fine as well.

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[BadBrew]

Quote, originally posted by Herb »So I figure I'd better take out the battery and bumper so I can try to adjust the angle of the bottom segment to hopefully make this fit.I actually cut about 2-3 inches off the lower segment even with the original filter, it was touching the fog light and now I have enough space to swap the filter from the wheel well without having to unbolt the entire bumper cover.

[keithvibe]

congrats... you've modded a mod

[Herb]

This is with 3.5" cut off the lower segment. It's STILL slightly pressing on the foglamp housing.

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