Was going to send Scotty a PM with my question, but then thought that others on this forum would soon be running into the same problem so decided to post my questions here.

Decided today to have a look at my Scotty 3 air filter and clean it if required. It has around 8,000 miles on it. Until I figured out the secret it is a bear to get the element out of the housing. Scotty, maybe you could post the secret so that the next guy does not have to actually use his brains like I was forced to. ;D It's easy once you know the secret.
It was amazing how much crud there was on the filter. It was totally covered in what looked like a sort of black, furry, slightly oily, very thick dust. Maybe like penguin fur? (perhaps I should have cleaned the filter before installing it) In one area I could not even see the 'ribs' of the element. Gobs of this oily goo fell out of the housing when I removed the filter. And here I thought I lived in a relatively clean climate. I almost never drive in dusty conditions.
My main question is, what is the best way to clean the AFE filter? Can I dunk it in a bucket of water with some strong detergent in it? I gave it some good thumps on a solid surface but this stuff is too oily to fall out easily. Should I scrub it lighly with a soft brush while it is soaking in the detergent? After I clean it should I put anything on it? Is this quantity of dirt normal after only 8,000 miles? If it is more than normal, should I consider changing the element sooner? If so, after how many miles?
After what I found today I am going to pull it again in about 5,000 miles and take another look.
When I had the filter out I happened to notice that the filter housing is wearing away the insulation of the battery cable. It is almost down to the secondary insulation. Also there is a place where it is rubbing quite hard on the hood and the turbo pipe that it rests on. Paint is worn off in both spots and has exposed polished metal. Anybody else have this problem?
Just want to make clear that none of the above is any major problem. I still like my Scotty 3.

 

Well, since I already have some I plan on using k&n filter cleaner and then re-oiling it with k&n filter oil. I would assume the afe has the same type of product. I know you are a bit off of the beaten path but I think most of the major auto parts chains carry the k&n stuff. Both bottles come in a maintenance kit.

http://www.knfilters.com/clningacc.htm

&

http://www.afefilters.com/cleaning.pdf

 

Mex...I've used simple green on all of my oil filters, AFE, K&N, Holly Pro-shot etc. with great results.. Just spray on liberlly, let soak in for about 10 minutes, rinse off, repeat if necessay...let dry naturally, re-oil on each plete and your'e done.

Steve

 

OK, I have some Simple Green here, but no oil. I see from the site above that I am not allowed to use moter oil. Anybody know of an easily obtainable substitute that I can use to re-oil the filter?

 

Stan,

A K&N cleaning kit should work just fine, and you should be able to find one somewhere in Mexico (there are Wally Worlds in the larger centres?) Always use garden hose pressure to rinse the filter, and only rinse from inside of filter to outside of filter.

As for the secret, its on the Wildcat web site

Rod

 

I always rinse the filter from the inside out with tap water first...warm not hot...then use the cleaner.
Let dry overnight and then oil with the aFe oil.

Rod has all the install pix and assembly pix. Assembly pix are here...

www.wildcatdiesel.com

Install destructions are in Rods hands. to finish. :
Remove the RAM AIR 3 from the truck.
Take the unit apart by loosening the the filter clamp that is nestled in behind the end cap. Remove the black powder coated coupler from the filter end with the end cap on. Pull out the filter from the RAM AIR 3 housing. The nose cone will come loose from the filter.

I ship them preassembled for ease of installation.

I just got the assembly pix together with instructions for Rod last week.

Scotty

 

Thanks Rod and Scotty. There is a Wally World not far from me but the WW's down here do not have quite the same products you guys have north of me. Will check it out anyway. It is not the cleaning that bothers me as much as using the proper kind of oil if I can't find the correct K&N oil. Is there an emergency substitiute?
Now I have to find a source of the K&N oil in the US that can ship it to me. Will investigate that later today if I get time.
There is a chance that I will be in McAllen plus maybe San Antonio this weekend so if anyone knows of a source to purchase the K&N oil there please let me know.