Oil Charged Air Filters

[Benzalot]

Anyone care to comment on the article in Star Magazine that says that oil charged air filters such as K&N can cause the MAF to malfunction.

[Nelson Lago]

yep its true if some of the oil gets passed the filter and collects onto the MAF

[dc36]

i have had a kn filter on my car for about 4 yrs about 60k. with no problems maybe people are putting too much oil or not letting it dry for a bit like it says on the instructions.

[omeyhomey]

this is so over played its ridiculous. Yes oil filters do have some oil. But if you clean your MAS at least 1-2 times a year with CRC Mass Air Sensor Cleaner and 91% isopropyl alcohol you MAS will last many more years to come.

hope that helps

[xvvvz]

Something that has not been mentioned is the ability of the air cleaner to do its job. Tests have been done that show the filters do not do as good of a job filtering the air. That, combined with the fact that w202's don't seem to benefit from these filters in terms of power, keep me from being enthused. Do a search of the archives for the previous discussions where these points were brought up in more detail.

[Logic]

i have a k&n kilter on mine on a custom made CAI and i had it on for about two years now no issues...omey if i clean it i just take it off spray inside and sensor? or is there any thing i avoid to keep from damaging it? mine has about 20 k since i replaced it. any direction on cleaning it would be appreciated.

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by Logic
i have a k&n kilter on mine on a custom made CAI and i had it on for about two years now no issues...omey if i clean it i just take it off spray inside and sensor? or is there any thing i avoid to keep from damaging it? mine has about 20 k since i replaced it. any direction on cleaning it would be appreciated.

nope, very simple, just take it off. spray down with the CRC cleaner directly on the sensor (and even on the plug contacts as well) let it dry (about 10-15 min) then put it back it, should run better.

I usually go one extra step and use 91% ispropyl and pour it onto the sensor and give it a nice rinse to eliminate any residue and etc. That usually lasts me a good 6-12 months before I need another cleaning with K&Ns. Although I will say my C36 was far less sensitive than my E55 (probably b/c on E55 the filters are directly on top of the MAS pretty much where as C36 the filter distance is a decent amount away and its below the MAS.

[2phast]

I read that article and like always, its filled with half truth's.

Like many, I have used K&N's for a long time without issue. To test the theory, I ran a new K&N for 3k miles, then pulled it out, inspected the MAF and intake tubing, no oil to be found anywhere. Next, I played the part of a ignorant car owner, I cleaned the K&N, then over oiled it, to make matters even more compounded, I even oiled both sides. After about 1500 miles, I had idle problems, stalling issues and surging issues. After pulling apart the air intake system, just as I thought, the intake tubing was oily, the MAF was coated and there was even residual oil in the TB. I cleaned everything up (MAF & filter as well), re-oiled the filter the CORRECT way and was off. Never had another problem.

Proves a point IMO.