Is there any need to clean/replace this part

Installing the k&n cleaning up all this air pathway stuff.

The mesh filter after the air is in question filter

Bonus: My foam seal is trashed


Part number?

 

The mesh filter is a carbon filter for emissions system. It’s plastic riveted in.

Foam gasket —I’m out.

 

Some removed that part. Personally paper filters better than oil soaked cloth.

 

As others said its an emissions thing, not removable unless you cut it out.

I ran K&N on my daily driver for a long time. Never had any specific problems, but after probably 8+ years I switched back to paper elements. I just dont think theres any advantage big enough to out weight the mess the oil makes over time in the intake. On the truck I run an AFE Pro Dry filter. Its washable just like the K&N but you dry it out and install back in the truck just like a normal paper filter, no oil.

 

Foam seal is an easy peasy fix, just strip that old one off and replace with a bit of foam weatherstripping. I did something similar but in a different fashion.
There was a gap between the intake box of my new AFE intake system and fenderwell.

 

Replaced the seal with 1/2 inch foam weatherstripping from walmart for $3 if anyone's interested