How often do you need to clean the air filter? I see that AEM sells a cleaning kit. Is it best to use their product or a generic brand? Thanks.

 

I've personally never done it myself, but I believe it does come with instructions. My cousin bought an AEM intake for his civic and he says the cleaning process is pretty easy to understand.

 

Does anyone know what size K&N filter to replace the AEM filter on the AEM cai?

 

isnt it a K&N filter on the AEM?

 

To clean the filter is no big deal. I wouldnt replace one cotton filter with another. The difference is minimal, and IMO would just be a waste of money.

To clean the cotton filters, generally i clean mine every 5 oil changes, or 30K miles. Just remove the filter, and spray on the oil fliter cleaner and let sit for 15 minutes. Then with a garden hose on gentle pressure ( too much will force the cotton guaze out ) rinse from the inside out, the reverse of the air flow. Once all the air filter oil is removed, the filter will be white. Let dry naturally; sit in the sun for about 15 minutes. Apply fresh coat of filter oil. Here again, i cant see the difference in a cleaning kit, they are all basically the same. K&N is a red oil, and the AEM is a blue oil i believe.

 

There's a How-To here:

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=30892

Always good to check the tech section.

 

Thanks dude.

 

i remember a while back that K&N filters were used for AEM intake systems. this is what i saw on a 2000 Si. i beleve it even said K&N. sometimes its marketing. like the lexus emblems on toyota engines. that type of thing. the K&N design is pattented so other corporations can only mimic the design but not be excatly infracting the patent/design of K&N

i guess they worked out some deal

 

AEM used to use K&N filters but now make their own , or at least Have AEM written on the tops versuse K&N. They are practically identical though , 10 or so cotton layers , metal mesh.

 

Oh and normal cleaning interval for these things are along the lines of a regular air filter element , or about 30k or less depending upon how dirty the roads are where ya live , and the intake systems filter placement.