Air filter cleaning during annual.

[Jim Peace]

I have a K&N/challenger air filter on my C. I picked up my plane today from annual and I noticed that the filter was not recharged. 
 

I asked them why and the owner of the shop says they don’t do that. 
 

I am in the process of doing it myself, I have the kit.  When I removed it and tapped it upside down some of debris came out. Shouldn’t this be a checklist item during annual? Is it really up to the owner to do this?

 

 

[hammdo]

I only oil mine when it’s needed - really dry. Most are not meant to done yearly. Tap and reinstall. Same thing with my race car filters - only as needed..

 

[RLCarter]

If you’re new to K&N air filters READ the directions on the Recharge Kit, also read the Continued Airworthy requirements….. Best advice is DO NOT used compressed air, it will ruin it

[A64Pilot]

I’ve been around K&N filters on aircraft for a long time, we used them on the AH-64 Air pac airconditioner once we got in the desert, was testing them for the Blackhawk engines in 03 and on the Thrush crop duster I helped build, the pics are of my Daughter when I made a class to teach pilots how to properly clean them, if you ever used compressed air, throw it in the trash,  she is 23 now to give you an idea how long ago that was, the second is of a brand new filter still in the bag to show that a little extra oil doesn’t hurt, the oil is what filters, it’s sticky and tge gauge holds the oil and the screen wire the gauge

K&N’s are actually poor filters, they let a lot of dirt through and actually to get them filtering well it’s best to let them get dirty but add oil to keep the dirt wet, the sticky oil is what makes one filter.

In my opinion, remove it and throw it away and replace it with a good filter, especially if you ever get into any dust or sand, they just don’t filter well.

 

[A64Pilot]

Usually you can take a K&N out and run your finger around the area behind the filter, see if it’s dirty, if it is, that’s dirt that got through the filter

[Bunti]

I have the same filter in my Mooney. Usually it is cleaned and recharged  at annual time by the mechanic who does the annual. The mechanics I worked with knew about the procedure. I did it also a few times by myself prior to the annual and informed the mechanic that it is already done.

Here is the related information from the Challenger website. I assume that the STC text states the same.

Q: How do I know when to clean the air filter?

A: Filter must be cleaned every calendar year, 100 hours or sooner in dusty conditions.

[Bartman]

My plane had a K&N filter when I purchased it.  I tossed it and installed the Brackett air filter at the first annual.

[Jim Peace]

On 6/22/2023 at 11:41 PM, M20Doc said:

Servicing the air filter is part of the STC and is listed on the Mooney inspection checklist.

Yeah that is what I figured...so hard to find a mechanic in central Florida who can be trusted to follow a checklist...

I cleaned the filter before I left for my Calgary trip...when I get back it should be dry so I can wet it and reinstall...

[Jim Peace]

8 hours ago, Bartman said:

My plane had a K&N filter when I purchased it.  I tossed it and installed the Brackett air filter at the first annual.

Does the Brackett filter go into the same housing that I have now or do I remove that large clunky piece off the cowling?

When you get a chance can you attach a picture of your lower cowling...

Any performance difference?

[Jim Peace]

9 minutes ago, M20Doc said:

Tempest makes one for your C model.

I just found that on Aircraft Spruce....looks like it just goes exactly where my K&N is.

So no wetting it and do you think the performance would be the same or better?

Looks more mechanic friendly as well...maybe a shop would entertain the idea of cleaning it verse just leaving it alone...

[EricJ]

3 hours ago, M20Doc said:

I wonder if Tempest would build the filter for the E and F models.  They have a growing line up for other types.

If they made one for a J model I'd probably buy one the next time my Donaldson needs to be replaced.

 

 

[A64Pilot]

The performance “boost” of a K&N is marketing, we used it in the crop duster because the original Centrastrip air particle separator was very restrictive, and K&N was ready to supply a filter. You will not notice any decrease in MP if you ditch the K&N

We supplied the aircraft with two as you need to let the gauge dry completely before you oil it, and that’s not happening in a  hour or two, and believe it or not but don’t put it in the sun, because it’s cotton and it seems the sun will shrink cotton? If you do anything to damage the gauge the filter is trash.

The bottle of oil is best, run a bead of oil on the top of every pleat, then flip it over and do the same, spray works fine just you don’t get as much as you do in the bottle, but be sure to completely wet the gauge

Donaldson while I’m not familiar with the one on a Mooney is really a very good filter. If I had one I think I might keep it. I guess the downside is they are pricy?

I have a Brackett, easy, aircraft came with it, and it’s good enough, honestly if you never get into dust and sand I’m sure a K&N is fine too.

[Rjfanjet]

I just switched to the Tempest. I'll let you know in a year.

[cferr59]

It is supposed to be cleaned every year, 100 hours, and potentially after flight in rain. I have the K&N Challenger and it was ruined when I flew in moderate rain for a few hours. I replaced it once, but next time I am switching to a filter that does not have problems in the rain. Last year the mechanic cleaned it but did not re-oil it. I have the kit so I oiled it myself.

I have attached the ICAs.

ChallengerAirFilterCleaningdoc4003.pdf

[Jim Peace]

On 7/5/2023 at 6:19 PM, Rjfanjet said:

I just switched to the Tempest. I'll let you know in a year.

how is that filter working out?  

[Jim Peace]

I want to replace my K&N now....

Tempest or Donaldson? 

or are they essentially the same?

[Matthew P]

On 6/23/2023 at 7:30 PM, A64Pilot said:

I’ve been around K&N filters on aircraft for a long time, we used them on the AH-64 Air pac airconditioner once we got in the desert, was testing them for the Blackhawk engines in 03 and on the Thrush crop duster I helped build, the pics are of my Daughter when I made a class to teach pilots how to properly clean them, if you ever used compressed air, throw it in the trash,  she is 23 now to give you an idea how long ago that was, the second is of a brand new filter still in the bag to show that a little extra oil doesn’t hurt, the oil is what filters, it’s sticky and tge gauge holds the oil and the screen wire the gauge

K&N’s are actually poor filters, they let a lot of dirt through and actually to get them filtering well it’s best to let them get dirty but add oil to keep the dirt wet, the sticky oil is what makes one filter.

In my opinion, remove it and throw it away and replace it with a good filter, especially if you ever get into any dust or sand, they just don’t filter well.

 

Did you ever finish sealing your tanks, I remember you were right in the middle of it when you got deployed?