When Do I Oil My K&N?

[JoeHoe_SHO]

Okay, I did a search on this and did not find too much helpful information. I obviously have a K&N Air Filter(paper replacement). I've had it for almost a year in 2 different 89 SHO's. When should I(or should have I) oil(ed) it? What are signs that it needs to be oiled? I would guess that I've put about 15-20K on the filter w/o oiling it. Do I need to oil it? Anyone who has suggestions, input or a thought on this...please, feel free to post. Thanks!

 

[yamahaSHO]

www.knfilters.com


I think the interval is about 60k miles... But you don't just oil it, you have to wash it first before you oil it.

EDIT: How to clean your K & N Filter

"1) Service every 50,000 -100,000 miles on street driven applications.
2) Service often in off-road or heavy dust conditions or when air filter reaches 18" of restrictions.
3) Let the dirt "build-up" work for you; it will not hurt the performance and actually help filter the air."

<small>[ July 07, 2003, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: yamahaSHO ]</small>

 

[JoeHoe_SHO]

Cool thumb That is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks a lot thumb

 

[Shoaz]

You may also want to look at

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Air_filter.htm

http://www.carcounsel.com/K&N.htm

http://az.pca.org/motor_pool/articles/technical_potpourri_and_product.htm

A google search on relevant terms turns up a lot of stuff like this. You might consider saving yourself headache later and putting in a paper filter.

Just IMHO FWIW YMMV.

 

[JoeHoe_SHO]

Shoaz:
You may also want to look at

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Air_filter.htm

http://www.carcounsel.com/K&N.htm

http://az.pca.org/motor_pool/articles/technical_potpourri_and_product.htm

A google search on relevant terms turns up a lot of stuff like this. You might consider saving yourself headache later and putting in a paper filter.

Just IMHO FWIW YMMV.

I checked out the 2nd link down...they claim that it is best to clean the K&N every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. I'm confused

What kind of performance losses would I notice if my K&N needed to be cleaned? I'm guessing bogging, and loss of acceleration...not to mention that the engine is not getting enough air to breath upon.

**Edit** If I needed to clean my K&N...what are visual signs that it would need cleaning? Discoloration? Dry? Clogged air holes? If it wasn't dark out already, I would go check it out. squint

<small>[ July 07, 2003, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: JoeHoe_SHO ]</small>

 

[AutoSHO]

In my opinion, the only reason a K&N is less restrictive than a paper filter is because it has larger holes in it (i.e. lets in more dirt) and the oil on them also negatively affects the MAF sensor. I recommend a paper filter as well.

K&N Oil on MAF Filaments = SHO Slow.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Of course the K&N has bigger holes, thats why you oil it. The oil catches the dirt better. When the dirt builds up, it filters even better.

The oil will mess up you MAF if you put too much on.

If you wash it too much, you ruin the guaze that is used on the filter. There is a certain number of times you can wash the filter. Once you hit the number, which I cannon remember, the filter is no good.

 

[Aspect]

But then again, with the million mile warrenty, if the guaze is bad, send it in for a new one!

 

[yamahaSHO]

Aspect:
But then again, with the million mile warrenty, if the guaze is bad, send it in for a new one!

Good call!! thumb

 

[Shoaz]

But then again, with the million mile warrenty, if the guaze is bad, send it in for a new one!

That won't help pay for MAF cleanings or the additional internal engine wear caused by the admission of the dirt that gauze filters don't catch.

I really don't see the attraction to these things given the additional maintenance headaches, the reduction in filtering capability, and the nearly inexistant hp gain (which is reliable only when the filter is clean).

A non-streetable race car that gets frequent engine rebuilds and constant maintenance on things like MAFs (and everything else) makes sense as a candidate for a K&N, especially if you squeeze some sponsorship out of them. For a street car I really see much more headache and expense than advantage, so my K&N has been sitting on a shelf in the garage for quite a few years. I even use paper at the track now, too.

 

[AREA 91]

Everyone has a different opnion. I use K & N filters in all my toys! finger

 

[yamahaSHO]

Shoaz:

But then again, with the million mile warrenty, if the guaze is bad, send it in for a new one!

That won't help pay for MAF cleanings or the additional internal engine wear caused by the admission of the dirt that gauze filters don't catch.

I really don't see the attraction to these things given the additional maintenance headaches, the reduction in filtering capability, and the nearly inexistant hp gain (which is reliable only when the filter is clean).

A non-streetable race car that gets frequent engine rebuilds and constant maintenance on things like MAFs (and everything else) makes sense as a candidate for a K&N, especially if you squeeze some sponsorship out of them. For a street car I really see much more headache and expense than advantage, so my K&N has been sitting on a shelf in the garage for quite a few years. I even use paper at the track now, too.

You just must have bad luck