Original air filter

[Andy8421]

Hmmm an interesting thread (the last few posts about the K&N type filter element),
I too bought one of these elements off Clive a number (?) of years ago and fitted it and forgot about it. It was a great replacement at the time - thanks Clive. But now reading this I realise that maybe I should take it out and clean it once in a while, although the car, like many I guess, doesn't exactly do many miles each year.
What is the procedure for this does any one know. If it was oiled (not sure mine was), I guess you cant just blow it out it must have to be cleaned in some sort of solvent. What is it then re- oiled with? Something special I would have thought not just engine oil?
Any ideas?

Keith, see below. First link I found, so you may be able to find cheaper.

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/k-n-cleaning-kit-squeeze-oil-508771461?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIko3Nl6OX8wIVEed3Ch2R7wfyEAQYASABEgLEV_D_BwE

[cliveyboy]

Air filters regardless of how miraculous the manufacturers claim they are and how many miles before changing/cleaning etc still need regular checking.
You will always get road dirt, leaves and general detritus in the box which the filter has stopped and needs removing.
The cannister filter will most likely get dirtier on the side nearest to the inlet trumpets.
On the Cone type (like my sprint) one side gets dirtier than the other as its more exposed.
If you are using original paper type filters then nice and cheap to replace each year or so.
If something like a K&N then you need to make a judgement. Unless it is really clogged up with mud or an oily mess I just remove it inspect for damage and give it a gentle tap to get the loose stuff off. I then use a soft brush to brush the surface to get rid of any visible items. (Be careful so you are not forcing stuff back into the filter).
I then reinstall but rotate the filter so the cleaner part is exposed to the main air flow.
As most of us only do low miles each year this method should be OK for some time.
If its really muddy, oily etc then they can be washed and reoiled. Its then a judgement as to how many miles the filter has seen and whether the money for the re-oiling kit would be better going towards a new filter.
Clive

[quaybook]

With the Pipercross foam filter I use on my Elan, and indeed the K & N I used to use on my Alfa before I changed that to a Pipercross filter, you can buy cleaning kits which comprise a cleaning solution and an oil spray to re-oil the filter. I check mine at each big service and if it shows significant signs of contamination I clean and re-oil. I do like engines to breath as freely as possible whilst not eating dirt.

Cheers

Vernon

[Donels]

I’m looking to use a Pipercross cone style filter on my +2 but the Pipercross web site is useless. Can anyone guide me with a suitable kit number or similar.

Dave

[andyelan]

Hi Mrozik

After rebuilding the engine on my Plus 2, I spent a good while with the car on a rolling road. What this showed was that the engine was getting increasingly rich at higher revs. Investigation soon demonstrated that the issue was not with the air filter element but the steel can itself which was severely restricting the air flow at higher revs.

Like you, I too was keen to keep the original set up as I particularly like the fact it draws cold air from in front of the radiator rather than hot air from the engine compartment. The solution I came up with was to fit a deeper K&N air filter and make a spacer so the can could be clamped together but with a gap to allow additional air flow.

After this modification and appropriate jetting the results have been truly remarkable, Performance has vastly improved, yet so too has fuel consumption. I also no longer have any problems with the plugs fouling which was something that plagued the car before. And, should the need arise (although I can’t see why), the modification is completely reversible.

For anyone interested, the filter element I used was a K&N E-2510 and the photos should hopefully show how I made it fit the can.

Regards
Andy

[Mrozik]

Many thanks for this info - that's really interesting!
John

[cliveyboy]

Thats a great Mod with the spacers on the air cannister.
Simple way to get enough air flow into engine whilst trying to keep it looking original.
The original cannister is well known for being very restrictive. When I fitted my cone filter straight away I noticed the engine revved better.
Unless you are an absolute purist do something about the air cannister its robbing you of performance.
.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Clever idea, Andy, and dead easy to do. I'm not a great fan of induction noise, what is it like compared to standard?

[andyelan]

Hi Meg

On the Plus 2 the air filter is mounted right at the front of the car just behind the radiator grill so if there has been any increase in induction noise, it's no noticeable from inside the cockpit.

Andy

[Quart Meg Miles]

Thanks Andy,

The Elan is similar so I'll try it at next filter change.

[andyelan]

Hi Guys

Remember, if you make any mods to improve the air flow then the carburettor will need re jetting accordingly, ideally on a rolling road. For reference, my car runs Dellorto DHLA40 carbs and here's what I ended up with after quite an extended rolling road session.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Thanks Andy,

The Elan is similar so I'll try it at next filter change.

Blimey, I've done 18,600 miles on the present one!

I've ordered the last 6401 from ebay, as local suppliers can't get them, though CA6142PLs is available. These were fitted to Velox 3.3 litre models so might just be big enough! Now to make that extension piece

[Quart Meg Miles]

6401 is here already and when the raised bead is cut down as suggested it fits perfectly. Sorry Andy, didn't need your adaptor after all!

It lists six alternative filters, though they may not have the same size raised bead, as in photo attached.

Alternatives to WA6401

[Mrozik]

FYI Althought I haven't yet exactly compared the specfications, I just checked out the prices and availability of the alternatives and they are all much much cheaper - I guess these are not washable but its not like I do thousands of miles a year.......