Plan the service around access and drying
AEM describes roughly an hour for cleaning under normal conditions, but access and drying vary. Have the specified cleaner, water supply and a clean drying area ready before taking the car apart. Save the intake’s removal and refitting instructions. With the engine off and cool, keep debris away from the exposed clean air path and record the element’s position.
Remove loose contamination
Remove the element following its installation instructions. Handle it carefully and lightly tap away loose debris. Do not treat a torn element or damaged flange as a cleaning problem.
Sources 1
Apply Dryflow cleaner
Spray both sides, concentrating on the dirty face. Allow ten minutes of soaking, but do not let cleaner dry on the filter. The specified synthetic-filter cleaner is part of the procedure; do not substitute a filter-oil kit.
Sources 1
Rinse from the clean side
Use cool or warm water, never hot, from the clean side outward. Repeat cleaner and rinsing until the water is clear. Use only the light pressure described by AEM; an aggressive pressure-washing routine is outside this procedure.
Sources 1
Check the finished assembly
Confirm that the element is seated evenly, the sealing edge is intact, and every disturbed clip or clamp is secured. Remove temporary covers and account for tools before starting. If the housing will not close normally, check the element position rather than forcing it. Use the intake’s actual hardware instructions instead of borrowing a clamp torque from another kit.
Products in this guide
Sources / references 2
- AEM — Dryflow cleaning instructions ↗Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
- AEM — Dryflow technical FAQ ↗Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
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