K&N Ait Filter & Air Hog Air Filter Users Anyone Hear that Oil Clogs MAF's Etc? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

fcastro · 02-10-2009, 01:16 PM

Hi everyone, I have been running a K&N air filter in my 92 z28 for a few years. Today I was doing research on oil filters and I came across a post that mentioned how these air filters actually allow oil to escape and can damage MAF's etc on cars. Seeing as the filters are oil coated this is plausible. So has anyone else heard of this?

CHRIS67 · 02-10-2009, 01:26 PM

I had them on my GMC Sonoma for 6 years, one on a Saturn Vue for 5 years, and now one on my Cobalt for almost a year without any issues.

I originally got them for performance and better fuel economy, but after installing it on my Cobalt (which has a fuel economy computer) I noticed no change in the fuel economy. So maybe it increases HP without fuel economy? I'm not sure if I'd rush out and buy them again.

WildBillyT · 02-10-2009, 01:32 PM

I think that that would happen if you soak them with oil too much after cleaning.

BonzoHansen · 02-10-2009, 02:09 PM

I've heard the filter lids on carbs catch fire easy on backfires....

WildBillyT · 02-10-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

I've heard the filter lids on carbs catch fire easy on backfires....

Wouldn't surprise me. The edelbrock foam air cleaners do that.

fcastro · 02-10-2009, 02:27 PM

I wonder if the way they come from the factory (pre-oiled) also have this issue.

Jensend · 02-10-2009, 02:33 PM

The oil used to coat the filter is tacky to aid trapping dust/dirt particles. When the filter media is too heavily saturated with that coating, some of the oil is "blown" through and into the MAF and intake. Since it's sticky, some of it can collect on the internals of the MAF. Depending on how much and how often the oil is overused determines how much will be passed on to your Maf and intake.

If you are concerned, you can always remove the bellows from the front of the MAF and inspect it. If it's dirty you can used an appropriate MAF spray cleaner.

I've had my K&N on my '02 Z28 virtually since it was new. The filter is cleaned often (after each track event). I have not had any problem with the oil and only cleaned the MAF once as a part of periodic maintenance.

K&N is only one of several manufacturers that make these filters. It's hard to determine how much difference a given filter makes. Mostly, I'd say it's a matter of personal preference. Don't expect miracles from any of them.

fcastro · 02-10-2009, 02:38 PM

Jensend how are you cleaning the filter? Is been a while and I thought only thing you could do to these was oil them. But my memory is rusty lol.

Also just turned this up.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

"We are aware of the “urban myth” (K&N News Story) created by a few dealerships that a vehicle's MAF sensor can be contaminated by K&N filter oil. No evidence has ever been provided to support this “myth” and three years of diagnostic testing by K&N has shown that not only is this allegation not real, it is not even possible. In our opinion, it is an excuse for a dealership and/or the vehicle manufacturer to avoid a legitimate warranty repair. In the last 4 years, we have sold over 10,000,000 lifetime air filters and received only a few hundred calls from consumers who are having dealership or service provider challenges. We believe that Dealership's or service provider's real incentive may be to discourage the use of reusable products so they can sell disposable products over and over. In order to provide consumers with added comfort that they will not be placed in a bad position by an improper warranty denial, we offer our Consumer Protection Pledge. "

LTb1ow · 02-10-2009, 02:43 PM

The only way I could begin to imagine that happening is if you soaked the filter in the oil, like soaked whole bottle oil amount, and then immediately threw it on and started it up.

Random, but 92 are speed density no?

WildBillyT · 02-10-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcastro

Jensend how are you cleaning the filter? Is been a while and I thought only thing you could do to these was oil them. But my memory is rusty lol.

Also just turned this up.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

"We are aware of the “urban myth” (K&N News Story) created by a few dealerships that a vehicle's MAF sensor can be contaminated by K&N filter oil. No evidence has ever been provided to support this “myth” and three years of diagnostic testing by K&N has shown that not only is this allegation not real, it is not even possible. In our opinion, it is an excuse for a dealership and/or the vehicle manufacturer to avoid a legitimate warranty repair. In the last 4 years, we have sold over 10,000,000 lifetime air filters and received only a few hundred calls from consumers who are having dealership or service provider challenges. We believe that Dealership's or service provider's real incentive may be to discourage the use of reusable products so they can sell disposable products over and over. In order to provide consumers with added comfort that they will not be placed in a bad position by an improper warranty denial, we offer our Consumer Protection Pledge. "

I'm not Jensend but here's what I do:

1.) Knock all dirt/leaves/crud off of the filter
2.) Spray with K&N's cleaning solution
3.) Let it soak for 15 minutes
4.) Hose the filter off
5.) Let it dry
6.) Re-oil the filter with K&N's spray- first a coat just to turn the white filter red, and then another until it is just barely drippy. Then I wipe off the excess and let it soak in before reinstallation. If any white spots show up I give them another shot of oil.

fcastro · 02-10-2009, 03:17 PM

Mine is speed density but older camaro's have mafs. One way or the other didn't think it was good to have oil from the filter shooting into the air intake but seems like this is a myth as per k&n's article.

LTb1ow · 02-10-2009, 03:24 PM

I have my MAF sensor off prob every other week for odds and ends and it has never looked even discolored.

5.7TA · 02-10-2009, 04:23 PM

I have one and have used it since I installed it in 2003.

I have had no issues related to the K&N filter affecting the MAF sensor. If it is cleaned properly, i.e. as others are saying on here, don't over oil it or on the flip side don't let the filter get dried out or clogged.

Jensend · 02-10-2009, 04:44 PM

Of course K&N is going to downplay the oil penetration. People who understand very little about cars would be terrified to think they were sending "oil into my engine!". The fact is, that the volume and velocity of air passing through the gauze medium (trapped within the wire mesh is sufficient to blow small particles of oil into the MAF and intake. If you want to test this, place a sheet of clean white paper behind it and simply spray the filter with compressed air when it is coated with oil. Then check the paper.

The point is, the amount of oil that enters the MAF is minimal as long as you: A) Don't load the filter up with excessive oil once you've cleaned it. and B) allow sufficient time for the damp oil to dry a bit before putting the filter in the car and driving it.

As for cleaning, the kit comes with both the cleaner and the oil. We first remove any loose dirt with a disposable chip brush. Then we spray on the cleaner and allow it some time to penetrate and loosen the dirt. The filter is then rinsed gently with a garden hose (rinse from the upper surface (intake side) so that dirt exits the lower surface). We then shake out the excess water and allow the filter to fully air dry in the sun before spraying a light coat of the oil on the lower surface of the filter. We then invert the filter to allow the oil to soak in. Then any excess is gently wiped off and the filter is allowed to dry. We've done this at least 30 times in the last 7 years. It works.

98tadriver · 02-19-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcastro

Mine is speed density but older camaro's have mafs. One way or the other didn't think it was good to have oil from the filter shooting into the air intake but seems like this is a myth as per k&n's article.

youll be fine. ive never had any problems with my k&n's

LS1s pull a lil oil into the intake after WOT runs our cars still run fine lol

EchoMirage · 02-19-2009, 02:53 PM

ive had a k&n air filter in my TA after the first 200 miles. have one in my DD colorado, 32K+ miles. had one in my beretta for about 60K miles. never had a single issue. i only cleaned the one in my beretta once, as they say to clean it after 50K, and ran perfectly.

FBODS4EVER · 02-19-2009, 07:46 PM

no issues here either. use the cleaner and oil as previously stated. and dont over saturate it. allow time to soak in.

Stevoone · 02-19-2009, 09:41 PM

GM had a few bulletin's out about oiled air filters. The one I had was on a Grand AM, they said the oil from the filter was building up on the MAF sensor and causing bad readings. The bulletin blamed transmission problems on the bad MAF readings.

The bulletin also said to not cover repairs under warranty. The customer talked to customer service and ended up getting everything covered.

I run K&N on my truck and on my car. I've had no problems

JL8Jeff · 02-20-2009, 07:36 AM

It can happen. I've been using the K&N filters for years and as long as you don't over oil it you shouldn't have a problem. But on my 2000SS, the previous owner may have over oiled it because I could see the discoloration on the MAF wires so I cleaned it up with the spray just in case. I haven't had any problems.