i have a 2004 rx8 with a K&N cold air intake 69-6030.. am i even supposed to clean it? i have had the car for about 5 months and have been driving it for a little over 5,000 miles and the cold air intake it dirty when i touch it.. I'm guessing i am supposed to but not sure, I'm not too good with cars

 

Depends on if its supposed to be a dry element or oiled. Look at the K&N recharge kit at the store and read the directions.

 

The K&N filter (filter only) should be washable. Is that the one your talking about cleaning?

 

It is washable, then re-oil it. Google is your friend.

http://www.knfilters.com/facts.htm Reference #8 on that page.

 

yea I'm pretty sure its the same one you guys are talking about

http://www.ebay.com/itm/K-N-MAZDA-RX...5542%26ps%3D54

 

Your better off with a dry element.

I would just wash it and not re-oil it or just replace it.

You get oil on the MAF and it can cause the car to run rich or misfire bad cat all sorts of long term problems.

Since your not good with cars replace it with a dry element.

 

umm sorry don't mean to sound dumb but whats a dry element?

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=dry+element+air+filter

 

A K&N isn't designed to filter without oil. It's not even that good a filter with oil. You're better off with a paper filter. You'll have to figure out what fits in that K&N setup, or replace the whole thing with a different intake filter. It's probably easiest to go back to stock. 11HP gain is BS.