ATVPT

All Terrain Vehicle Product Tests ATV Technical Magazine

We are currently Field Testing the K&N KA-6503 Air Filter. Products used in these Field Tests were provided by K&N Power Sports and ATVProductTests.

We are currently field testing the K& N Power Sports K&N KA-6503 Air filter. Field reports will be compared to the Twin Air Filter and the Uni Air Filter.

K&N Filter Facts.

The K&N Filtercharger® is designed to increase engine performance in both horsepower and throttle response by reducing air flow restriction.

Maintaining optimal, unrestricted air flow becomes a problem when it must pass through a filtering medium. The level of air resistance varies depending on the size, surface area and physical attributes of the filtering medium. 

The K&N air filter is somewhat more complex. The unique design features multiple layers of oiled cotton fabric which captures the airborne dirt particles. These dirt particles cling to the fibers of the filter and actually become part of the filtering media. This process, known as depth loading, allows the K&N air filter to retain significantly more dirt per square inch than a paper filter. The cotton fabric is sandwiched between pleated aluminum screen. Pleating increases surface area which in turn prolongs service intervals. Pleating exposes substantially more surface area compared to a flat element like foam.

The dirt particles collected on the surface of a K&N element have little effect on air flow during much of its service life because there are no small holes to clog. Particles are stopped by layers of crisscrossed cotton fibers and held in suspension by the oil. As the filter begins to collect debris, an additional form of filter action begins to take place because air must first pass through the dirt particles trapped on the surface.  That means a K&N air filter continues to exhibit high air flow throughout the life of the filter while it is accumulating dirt.  At the same time, the air flow for an average paper air filter can decrease dramatically as the paper element gets dirty.  So as dirt accumulates, the performance advantages of a K&N air filter can increase!  Tests performed by an independent laboratory commonly known as the Frazier Permeability Test have shown that the Medium used in K&N air filters flows more than 300% more air than paper air filter medium when compared on a square inch per square inch basis. A Square inch comparison is not directly proportional to the increase you can expect from installing a K&N air filter in replacement of a paper air filter due to the effect of such things as filter size, number and depth of pleats. However, you can be assured a K&N air filter will provide dramatically more air flow which can enhance engine performance.

More K&N Air Filter Facts.

http://knfilters.com/facts.htm

K&N with the PreCharger Installed.

Looking into the business end of the sturdy K&N Air Filter.

K&N Air Filter Cleaning Instructions

To determine the amount of oil needed for your filter, enter your filter's K&N part number in the Search by Part box on our Application Search Page.  If you don't know the part number you can look it up on the same page.


1. PRE-CLEANING


Tap the element to dislodge any loose dirt, then gently brush with a soft bristle brush.
(Note: If complete cleaning is not practical at this time, re-oil the element and re-install in your vehicle.)
  


2. SPRAY ON CLEANER


Spray K&N air filter cleaner liberally onto the entire element and let soak for 10 minutes.


3. PAN CLEANING


Large K&N elements can be rolled or soaked in a shallow pan of K&N air filter cleaner. Remove immediately and let sit for approximately 10 minutes.

4. CLEANING HINTS
Use only K&N air filter cleaner.
NO gasoline cleaning.
NO steam cleaning.
NO caustic cleaning solution.
NO strong detergents.
NO high pressure car wash.
NO parts cleaning solvents.
Any of these NO's can cause harm to the gauze filter media, plus shrink and harden the rubber end caps.

5. RINSE OFF



Rinse off the element with low water pressure, tap water is OK. Always flush from the clean side to dirty side. This removes the dirt and does not drive it into the filter.
  

6. DRYING HINTS
Always dry naturally. After
rinsing, shake off all excess
water and let the element
dry naturally.
DO NOT use compressed air.
DO NOT use open flame.
DO NOT use heat dryers.
Excess heat will shrink the
cotton filter media. Compressed air will blow holes in the element.

7. AEROSOL OILING


After cleaning air filter always re-oil
before using. Spray K&N air filter oil
down into each pleat with one pass per pleat. Wait 20 minutes and re-oil any white spots still showing.

8. SQUEEZE BOTTLE OILING


After cleaning air filter always re-oil before using. Squeeze K&N air filter oil down into the bottom and along each pleat in only one pass per pleat. Let oil wick into cotton for 20 minutes. Re-oil any white spots still showing.

9. OILING HINTS
Never use a K&N air filter
without oiling. (The filter will
not stop the dirt without the oil.)
Use only K&N formulated air
filter oil. K&N air filter oil is a
compound of mineral oil blended with special polymers to form a very efficient tack barrier. Red dye is added to show just where you have applied the oil. Eventually the red color will fade but the oil will remain and filter the air.

 NEVER USE Automatic Transmission Fluid
NEVER USE Motor Oil NEVER USE Diesel Fuel NEVER USE WD-40, LPS, or other light weight oils.
  

10. REINSTALL
Re-install your K&N air filter element with proper care. Make sure the element seats properly in the filter case. Install the cover making sure it's in the right position. Tighten all the nuts, bolts, screws or clips to factory specifications.

11. DO NOT DISCARD



Affix the "Do Not Discard" sticker to the filter case (included with every K&N replacement element). Make sure you put the sticker in a highly visible place to alert your mechanic not to discard.

12. PERFORMANCE HINTS
1) Service every 50,000 -100,000 miles on street driven applications.
2) Service often in off-road or heavy dust conditions or when air filter reaches 18" of restrictions.
3) Let the dirt "build-up" work for you; it will not hurt the performance and actually help filter the air.
CAUTION:
Extreme fine dust in agriculture or off-road use will pull the oil
from the element. Frequent re-oiling of the element's clean side might be required. Completely service when practicable. For extra protection use K&N sealing grease on rubber ends of the element. Service only with K&N air filter cleaner and K&N air filter oil.

 

K& N Power Sports Contact Info:

K& N Power Sports
K& N Power Sports
Contact K&N Power Sports for any Info
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