K&N air filter, to oil or not to oil?

G

giles

Just ordered a K&N panel filter for my 1.8 sport plus, hopefully worth it! A couple of people that I work with are telling me not to lubricate it like K&N say, apparently it messes up the math sensor?? What does everyone think? Also why does it have to be lubricated? Does it run fine without lubricant?:confused:
 
That filter will run for thousands of miles before needing a clean & VERY LIGHTLY oiled. If you smear it in oil, then obviously the excess would come off & coat the MAF sensor. The trick is to leave it alone until the job really needs done & then be very meagre with the re-oiling.
 
Hello and welcome to the AOC!

People will tell you it needs to be oiled so that its filtering capabilities are enhanced, as oil will stop more dust ect getting through the filter. I personally wouldn't, as like you've said it can play havoc with the MAF as it'l get gunked up.

As for fitting a K&N 57i kit to the 1.8 Almera, alot of people on here will tell you not to. It as be proven that a K&N or equivalent panel filter in the standard airbox gives better gains.

The 57i kit seems to make the engine run 'lean' at higher RPM, thus strangling the power at the top end.

But its all down to personal preference and driving style.

Hope this helps :)
 
Thanks guys, I think I'll run it un-oiled as recomended. It should still do the same job as a lubricated one, but like said less risk of damaging the maf sensor!:)
 
from new if its got a light coat of oil, then leave it as it is. my piperX (for my GTi) did and circa 12 month after i fitted it, i pat it down and lightly coated it again. no issues in nearly 2yrs now.

*engine bay shot in sig, see no WAI
 
It's the oil in the K&N filter that traps all but the biggest contaminants, it's an essential part of the design.
Dry filters work like a net but oiled filters work like a spider's web - and a non-sticky spider's web is pretty useless.

Personally if I was worried about the maf being fouled by oil from the filter I'd just buy a filter that is designed to be used dry rather than use one that needs oil without any.
 
Thanks all. I fitted it this morning before I set off to work. I noticed the differance straight away, the car seemed really smooth from cold, no hesitation like usual when changing gear. The filter came sealed in a bag so I presumed it was allready pre lubed, so just put it in. It didn't feel oilly so not to worried. After all K&N are the experts!
 
giles said:
Thanks all. I fitted it this morning before I set off to work. I noticed the differance straight away, the car seemed really smooth from cold, no hesitation like usual when changing gear. The filter came sealed in a bag so I presumed it was allready pre lubed, so just put it in. It didn't feel oilly so not to worried. After all K&N are the experts!
Click to expand...

The K&N filter is not THAT good. That is simply your brain convincing itself everything felt better.
 
yes k&n are experts but they do get it wrong i have fitted hundreds of there filters to cars and bikes
some will run better but most wont take an r6 it loses power with a k&n
the main benefit is it will last a lot longer
as said above you only squirt a small amount till it changes to red then let it dry
 
The filter I fitted was red. Whether its a placebo effect or not I'm happy with it and thats the main thing, plus should last!
 
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