After reading a post about cleaning the AFE filter sock and it creating enough of a restriction to possibly cause engine major engine perfomance issues.
I thought, well I ought to pull my AFE filter sock and see how dirty it is being that I washed it last about 2 or 3 months back.

First things first; I usually just wash the sock off with water from the faucet.
This time though I used dawn dish soap and squeezed the filter sock between my hands like a ball and made like I was warming up my hands on a cold day.

MAN THIS THING WAS DIRTY!!! The kicker is that it didnt look the part, it looked fine! But it sure did turn the water dark brown.
I repeated the cleaning process about 3 times until the water began to run clean after rinse.

So if you have the sock, do yourself a huge favor and give it a good scrubbin'!!

 

Help a noob out - sock?

 

I guess I should be using the technical term "Pre-Filter".
The pre-filter is used like a glove over the actual filter to help keep large particles from contaminating the filter and its precious pleats.
(keeps bees and mosquitoes out really well!)

check out www.outerwears.com they specialize in pre-filters.

The prefilter is an optional unit that can be purchased in addition to the AFE intake.

 

I kind of assumed that's what you meant, just wanted the clarification. Thanks!

 

I have had a pre-filter on both of my afe air intake filters(Stage I and Stage II). I check the filter weekly. I take the pre-filter off about every month and spray down with concentrated Simple Green and let it soak for few minutes. Then wash with dish soap in very hot water, rinse and let dry. It is always very dirty which tells me it is working.