K&N filter without oiling?

[drewbz818]

i have always liked the sound of aftermarket airfilters, but since I have gotten the boxster my mechanic said to stay away because the oil can damage MAF sensor. Today I was hanging out some bmw e39 guys who all use K&N filters, when asked them if they were not worried about fouling up their MAF sensor, they said no, they simply dont oil them, just wash them and air dry. None of them have had any problems. Just wondering what the fourms might think of this, and if anyone has tried this method.

[turboflyer]

With out the oil they do not work. Yes they will keep the rock and large sand particles out.
I guarantee you if you run one with out oil and do and oil analysis your silicon/dirt count is going to be very high. I used K&Ns for years. Well oiled the work great and levels have always been normal or below. That said I had the MAF sensor fouled by oil. I am very carful and have more than one so it an saturate completely before use. Finally happened. CEL. Turns out it was oil on the sensor. Up to you. I will only use them on non MAF equipped vehicles. The OEM filter is a well made filter. Sound difference is negligible.

[Wayne 962]

Turboflyer is right - the BMW guys have no idea what they are talking about (unfortunately). The K&N and other reusable filters don't work unless they are oiled. Might as well use some extra leftover material from when you redid your screen doors in your house! Use the stock paper filters - the intake is not a huge bottleneck on these engines.

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Oh, if you want more sound, you can always remove the snorkel - that helps quite a bit.

-Wayne