hey guys,
i have a K&N cone air filter for my 3 seires. what is the best way to clean in, if neccesary????? thanks for the help in advanced.

hey guys,
i have a K&N cone air filter for my 3 seires. what is the best way to clean in, if neccesary????? thanks for the help in advanced.

Get the K&N cleaner & the oil and follow the instructions. Make sure you have the time to have the filter dry before you re-oil it. I put my stock paper filter back in for a day while I let the K&N dry out.

And don't over-oil it. That'll mess up the MAF sensor.

I've read somewhere that you can put the filter in one of those Ziploc bags filled with cleaner. Just shake it around and rinse as usual.

I have not tried this myself, but the concept is interesting.

ok thanks guys...ill go to advanced auto tomorrow.

I think the K&N cleaner works best but I've also used dishwashing soap and other degreasers.


Don't bother oiling the side of the filter that faces the MAFS.
Just oil the side that got dirty...


While you're at Advanced Auto you should look around for some CRC MAFS Cleaner.
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/images/crc/05110_3X.jpg

ok...will do...so what do i do..just spray that stuff around in the maf?? ( im guess the directions will be on there)

- oh and are there any other little things i should get at advanced while im there, anything that u guys like to do or use....i dunno jus thought id ask

yep, just remove the MAFS and spray the inside and the electrical connectors. you can probably do it without removing the MAFS but I played it safe.


Look for Castrol Syntec 0W30. I've heard Advanced does and doesn't sell it. It's good oil, better than Mobil1 0W40.

couldnt find the "mass air flow cleaner"...all i could find was crc :intake cleaner (wasnt the same so ill just check it later) ...so umm i got another question. is a K&N air filter for a e46 3 series supposed to come with a heat sheild??? mine didnt...can i order it seperate??

yeah, the Intake Cleaner is more for cleaning your throttle body and idle control valve.
Some parts stores don't carry the MAFS Cleaner, but I've seen it at Pepboys and Kragen (Checkers/Schucks).


The K&N filter I put in my dad's E46 was just a replacement air filter.

yea....ill check some other places for it......and thanks for all the help gtx.

da nada, glad I could help.

BTW, are you using a K&N cone filter or a drop-in replacement?

you can use soap and water to clean your k&n DO NOT USE SOLVENTS they can destroy the filter element best advice is use the k&n kit comes with cleaner and oil it is only like 15 bucks or so but if you are broke regular soap and water will work I use a mild degreaser spray out of a squirt bottle that I get at work called oil eater it seems to work well and there were no side effects some other similar product may work but be careful.