How often should it be cleaned? Do i need to used the cleaning solution? Has anyone tried only water or something else like soap????

 

You might get some different opinions in this but all I ever did was use a garden hose with a spray nozzle and spray it from the inside out, I think it needs to be done around every 15,000 miles unless you're in really dirty/dusty areas. After you clean it let it sit and dry out.... that's what I did anyway.... I'm not sure what AEM says

 

well AEM says to use their cleaning solutions, i do just cause its not that much money.

i clean mine after every winter, but if you dont drive in the snow and salt and stuff i think you could go longer than every year.

 

will cleaning it too much harm the filter??

 

It's not supposed to and I think it's warrantied but if the kit isn't that much then I would say for "optimal" results to just order the AEM cleaning kit (helps avoid warranty issues in the future should there ever be any too....)..

 

for the record i paid $15(that was at a local shop, can probably be had for cheaper online) for the cleaning kit, make sure you get the cleaning kit for the dry flow and not a oiled filter though.

 

Just shell out the $15 for the cleaning kit that AEM approves of....last thing you want is a filter that's not performing up to its potential or worse....at all

 

Yeah, I cleaned mine a few months ago for the fist time. I bought the kit off AEM's site b/c no local part place had it.

 

^ How long did you drive before you cleaned it...I'm just curious.

 

Probably about 15,000 miles. The water didnt even become all that dirty. So ill wait even longer next time.