How do you clean a cold air intake filter? Cleaning a cold air intake filter is not so easy; you should have the knowledge to take out air intake and then fix it back in the correct position.
In this guide, we will explain the process of cleaning cold air intake filters, housing and its hoses. You can learn about the mistakes that you must avoid when you clean cooling air intakes.
Best Way to Clean Cold Air Intake Filter
How to clean a cold air intake & its filters? This procedure is performed in 8 simple steps. If you follow them, you will be able to successfully clean your car’s air intake system.
Tools & Materials Needed
These are some tools; you should gather them before you start this process.
| Items/Material | Main Purpose |
| Cold air intake cleaner kit | cold air intake cleaner & oil are used to remove dirt and reoil the filter |
| Screwdriver/socketwrench | Remove clamps and bolts to take out the air intake filter |
| Rags or towels | Wipe out the filter, intake housing & hoses |
| Air blower | Blows out loose dust and dirt particles from the filter |
| Soft-bristled brush | Sweep away the stuck dirt particles |
| Bucket | To clean the filter after applying cleaner |
| PPE | Safety goggles and gloves to protect your hands and eyes |
Step #1: Wait to Cool Down Engine
This is the first step you do before checking any part of the car engine. Because the engine becomes hot when you drive your car. Therefore, you should not touch any part of the engine until it cools down fully. This process can take about 30 mins. After 30 mins, you gently touch the engine bay to confirm its temperature.
Step #2: Remove Attached Parts
For the purpose of removing air intake filter, you need to remove all the related plugs & hoses. This chart helps you to do this task in an easy way.
| Main components | Specific part to disconnect | Required equipment? |
| Sensor | MAF sensor wiring harness | Press with hands to unplug |
| Hoses | Crankcase breather / PCV line | Hand only |
| Clamps | Throttle & secondary clamps | Screwdriver or socket |
| Housing | Screwdriver or socket | Socket Wrench |
Step #3: Then Remove Intake System
How to remove air intake or hose of your vehicle? When you have detached all the parts, you can take out the air intake system. First of all, open the mounting bolts that hold the air filter box with the vehicle frame.
Next, release the clips on the airbox lid if you want to take the filter out. After that, pull the airbox and lift the entire cooling air intake system out of the engine.
Step #4: Clean the Intake Tube/Housing
So, the cold air intake is in your hands. The next step is to clean it in a detailed way. First of all remove the dust with a dry cloth or air blower. Then check the housing box of the air filter and wipe it down with a clean dusting piece. You must remove the dirt from all the related hoses and tubes because they can transfer it into the filter again.
Step #5: Air Filter Cleaning
Can you clean the cold air intake filter? Yes, you have to use a cold air intake cleaning kit. This kit contains a strong cleaning solution. You have to put this cleaner inside and outside of the filter. Soak the air filter for 8 to 10 mins in a cleaner. Keep in mind, you should not allow the cleaner to dry on the filter.
After required time, wipe out the cleaner with a gentle water source (low pressure, without a pressure nozzle). You would rinse the cleaner in an outward direction. When you notice clear water, stop washing. Right now, shake the filter to remove the excess water.
Step #6: Allow Everything to Dry Completely
After cleaning the whole cooling air intake system, do not rush to put the parts back together. Instead, place the air filter and other washed parts in a dry & open area.
You must allow them to dry for sufficient time, check the filter if they seem damp then give them more time. In any urgency you can use a hair dryer or heater. But these are not recommended every time. You must prefer a natural way to dry them.
Step #7: Re-oil the Filter if Required
How to clean oiled air filter? You have to follow this step in case of an oiled air filter. First of all, apply a thin layer of filter oil on the entire body of the filter. Now, it needs some time to soak into the filter’s body. Then visually inspect the filter, it should look slightly tinted with the oil. The oil shouldn’t be dripping from the filters
Step #8: Reinstall Filter and Intake System
At last, place the clean & dry filter back into its housing. This will be done in the same way you removed it. Now, you can close and secure the lid with its clips or screws. Next, put the intake tube back in place and reconnect the clamps at the throttle body.
After this, you have to plug back the MAF sensor and reconnect all hoses. At last, check every connection is tight and nothing feels loose before closing the hood.
How to Clean Cold Air Intake Filter Without Kit
Can you clean a cold air intake filter with water? Well, if you do not have any cold air intake cleaner use simple water & a mild soap to clean the filters. Let the filter soak the soap for 5 to 10 mins. In this duration, all the dirt and greases will be removed.
After that you can brush out the dirt in such a way that it does not harm the cotton material of the filter. When all the grime is cleaned, the next thing is to clean it with simple water. For this purpose, use a lower pressured nozzle which will push all the trapped material out.
How to Clean a Dry Cold Air Intake Filter?
If you have installed a dry cold air intake filter its cleaning is slightly different. You have to follow the first 6 steps as they are written but the 7th step is not for you. Simply, skip this step, dry the filter and then place it back at the designated position. But make sure it is 100% dried up before fixing it back. Always remember, you are not allowed to apply oil on a dry synthetic filter.
How Often to Clean Cold Air Intake?
How often should I clean my cold air intake filter? Basically, the answer to this question depends on the type of cold air intake filter and specific road conditions.
Oil Filter Cleaning: A standard oil intake filter needs cleaning at every 10000 to 15000 miles car driving. Sometimes, large conical filters need cleaning after 50,000 to 100,000 miles in clean highway conditions.
Dry Filters Clean: This type of filter should be cleaned after every 15000 to 30000 miles. Because they last longer as compared to oiled filters. But still the driving conditions can change this value.
Common Mistakes You Must Avoid When Cleaning Air Intake
- Sometimes, the driver touches the radiator cap when the engine is too hot. This step can burn your hands and other parts of the body.
- Mostly, commercial fleet owners forget to take pictures of hoses and wiring before disconnecting them. Actually, this is helpful to attach them back.
- A harsh cleaner can affect the material of the air intake filters. For example, gasoline, brake oil or other household cleaners.
- Rinse the cleaner too soon. Like the dirt and stubborn oil is not yet cleaned and you washed the filter with the water. In this way, the filter remains dirty.
- Using a high-pressure nozzle can damage layers of the filter which result in lower engine performance.
- You choose a stiff brush to clean the inner dirt particle and clean the delicate layers aggressively. It can damage layers of the air intake filter.
- Some car owners do not wash the filter in the right way. There are leftover residues of the cleaner which can affect the airflow and even the engine.
- You put the damp cooling air intake system into the car, later this moisture pulls into the engine and affects its working.
- On oil cold air intake filters, some mechanics apply too much oil, this oil can dip into the other parts of the engine and harm them.
- We advise you do not clean MAF sensor with hard cloth or your fingers. It is not suggested due to its wiring. But you can use a special electronic cleaner.
- You must not apply excessive force to loose or tighten the bolts.
- You do not use any tray or plate to keep the smaller screws, bolts and plugs. So, when assembling all the air intake systems back it takes time to search for them.
- Many drivers clean the filter only and put it back again. Well, the cleaning of housing & tubes are also important because they can contaminate the filter again.
- Do not check the hose connection in this condition the air can leak from loose joints.
- Cleaning the air intake filter more than the needed time can also damage the layers of filter.
Final Thoughts
RONTEIX is among top automotive part manufacturers in China. We can provide you with cold air intakes for all types of vehicles. You can buy cooling air intake systems at wholesale price.
However, if you want a custom cold air intake for your modified car, we also offer personalized options for you. Our company has proudly served over 2000 global customers.
Commonly Asked Questions
How Do I Know if My Filter Needs Replacing Instead of Cleaning?
You can guess it by visual inspection of your air intake filter. If it is damaged and its layers are bent, replace it. Furthermore, if it does not look clean or produce a bad odor after washing then change the filter.
Can I use Soap to Clean the Filter?
Yes, you can use a mild soap like a few drops of dish washer to clean a reusable air intake filter. Like cotton gauze or foam air filters.
How Long Do Cold Air Intakes Last?
They last longer, the life span of a reusable oiled cotton filter is 100,000 to 1000,000 miles if you clean it after every 50000 miles. But in case of rough road conditions, clean it before the required miles.
What is the Average Time to Clean My Vehicle’s Cooling Air Intake?
If you have all your tools ready and are doing it for the first time, cleaning a cold air intake can take about 30 to 45 minutes. But if you are familiar with the process, it can consume 15 to 20 minutes of active labor work. But it requires some additional time to soak and reoil the filter.
How Long Does it Take For a Cold Air Intake to Dry After Cleaning?
The cleaning process of a cold air intake system in warm weather is 2 to 4 hours. In winter, it can take 8 to 12 hours. The best way is to dry it overnight. Furthermore, you should dry it in natural air.
