Cleaning El-Cheapo after market K&N wanna be filter...
 

I bought one of these cheap CAI kits of Ebay for my 97 max. Overall, it looks and functions great. Can't beat the sound effect it produces for under 40 bux. The cone filter that the kit uses is made from lighter material compared to K&N filter. I think I read somewhere before that using warm soapy water will good enough to clean it up. The new filter did not have any oil on it. So, I would presume I do not have to put any on it. The filter looks a little thin and weighs maybe 1/4 of what K&N weighs. Should I put some K&N oil on it to "recharge" so it would trap dust and other stuff a bit better.

I suggest that you toss that filter since it's dirty already and get a good one like K&N.

eBay filters are terrible.

^^ werd

Or blow compressed air from the inside if the filter to piss out most of the dust/debris back to where it came from for a temp fix. Then oil it if ya like. I use Apex'I filters and they seem to repel the dirt quite well- i.e. longer cleaning intervals.

i say spend the $ for something more worth it. I've been using nothing but ebay filters and never had a problem with them. When cleaning I hit em up with degreaser on the outside and hose em out from the inside. let dry and put back on. Done.

One filter lasted me 2yrs. I only replaced it cus the chrome end cap started to rust after being in the CAI position for so long, lol. But the filter element was just fine