K&N cone filter (3.5") appears to be getting sucked dry.

wild man · 07-01-2010, 04:05 AM

I keep noticing every couple months, or so, that the K&N cone that is on the inlet of my ape MAF setup, keeps going white on me (especially on top), meaning it doesn't have enough oil on it, so I have to keep re-spraying it, with K&N filter oil. Is this normal? I don't really put all that many miles on the car.

nize · nize's Garage

perhaps the oil is dripping down, due to gravity?

minho78 · minho78's Garage

That is normal with any car.

wild man · 07-03-2010, 09:26 AM

Since I am always applying the oil only to the top of it, that would support gravity, as being the lead contender. But air velocity at the top, where it is pretty close to the hood, might also be higher, which could be adding to the "phenomenon". Wow, it looks like actually spelled that correctly!.

Paulyy · 07-03-2010, 08:17 PM

haha this sounds like my physics class, correct me if im wrong but oild pod (cone) filters arn't good for the MAFs sensor.

wild man · 07-05-2010, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulyy

haha this sounds like my physics class, correct me if im wrong but oild pod (cone) filters arn't good for the MAFs sensor.

Sounds like your understanding of physics is pretty good, as I don't think that what you said is "correctable". The thoughts that come to my mind are, oil getting on the hot wires and burning (I don't really know how hot they actually run), thereby creating an insulating layer between the metal and the air that it is supposed to be sensing. But that is what they give you, to use with their MAF conversion kits. Probably that is due to necessity, considering the fit issues that there would be with other styles of filters. There IS a product (spray) out there made specifically for cleaning MAF's though. I'm thinking it's made by CRC.

Paulyy · 07-05-2010, 06:19 AM

that is true, and also on garrett turbos some have oil 'blow by' when people have compressor surge and covers the sensor in oil over time which would either give you a lean or richer reading, yes there is a spray thats just some gases that clean the oil off the sensor not sure what brand it is though.
With K&N filters, they are oild mainly because it catches dust much more easly. unless you drive in the dessert or very dusty/sandy areas go oild if not theres really no point.
check your MAF see if theres any oil on it, if so clean it and wash your K&N and dont oil it and see if it acually makes a difference for you.

wild man · 07-05-2010, 06:28 AM

That scares me, because if they aren't generously oiled, they will not filter the air as well as a stock filter does. And you are talking about running completely dry? I dunno....

Paulyy · 07-05-2010, 10:42 AM

it's a good arguement...

wild man · 07-05-2010, 01:00 PM

At any rate, until I get the turbo rebuild/upgrade done, the amount of oil getting on the MAF wires from the air filter, is negligible, compared with what the compressor leaks into the intake tract, and hence, onto the wires.