Warning for K&N filter users in drought regions!!!

Printable View

08-25-2008, 06:59 AM
jad628

Warning for K&N filter users in drought regions!!!

Once again, I had an unexpected and unexplained SES light come on. I don't have a scan tool and I didn't want to go to Auto Zone to have it checked, so I did a little old-timey check off list to see if I could find the cause.

Found it!

In the Charlotte area, we are still experiencing very dry conditions. We are something like 6" of rain behind this year, in addition to the 12" or so we were behind last year. Every time I cut my grass (I don't use a watering system for >= two acres), I've noticed a need to clean the air filter much more frequently due to clogging from fine particulate matter (dusty air). Well, I normally check my K&N filter (SLP lid w/ "free" air mod to the box) every oil change and usually end up cleaning and re-oiling it about every third oil change. Not anymore. These dry conditions have apparently caused much more dust and dirt to be screened out in the filter, and while the MAF side of the filter looked "okay", the intake side was awful. It was FULL of thick gummy matter very similar to engine sludge around valve covers that aren't cleaned regularly on a high mileage engine. It was embarrassing, but I know that such build up has not been the case in the past on this vehicle or my Dodge truck that uses a FIPK K&N. The answer to this problem has to be coming from the dry conditions we have been suffering. I know that once cleaned, the car ran good and there was no SES light.

I recommend that anyone running a properly oiled K&N filter in drought-stricken areas pay close attention to the filter. It is becoming dirty much quicker than it normally does.
08-25-2008, 07:04 AM
tnthub

If there is anything "gummy" inside, there is too much oil on the filter. No more than a light mist is necessary. I am still using my K&N oil spray from 1996 and that is for all four of our vehicles.
08-25-2008, 07:24 AM
Spaz

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnthub

If there is anything "gummy" inside, there is too much oil on the filter. No more than a light mist is necessary. I am still using my K&N oil spray from 1996 and that is for all four of our vehicles.

:werd:

if oyur ses light is coming on oyu probably got the K&N oil covering your maf sensors...
08-25-2008, 07:33 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnthub

If there is anything "gummy" inside, there is too much oil on the filter. No more than a light mist is necessary. I am still using my K&N oil spray from 1996 and that is for all four of our vehicles.

I understand that the oil is to be lightly applied, and that's how I've done it for years, but the build up is something new. It's much thicker than I've ever seen. It fell off for the most part, but using the cleaner, waiting about fifteen minutes, and then hosing it off produced some very dirty run off.

This is abnormal for my vehicles. The problem is the dust and dirt that is tremendously bad due to lack of rain.

MAF, bellows, TB, were all normal and typically clean, with the exception of a bit of dirt/lint on the MAF screen.
08-25-2008, 08:05 AM
Sarge

Stop using old technology filtration that requires cotton all oiled up......that is silly....do you rub sticks together to start a fire?
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/eaau.aspx

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...TOSTUFF003.jpg
My silicon numbers dropped like a rock and no more oil. Just blow it out hit it with a vacuum and your golden.....
08-25-2008, 08:10 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge

Stop using old technology filtration that requires cotton all oiled up......that is silly....do you rub sticks together to start a fire?
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/eaau.aspx

My silicon numbers dropped like a rock and no more oil. Just blow it out hit it with a vacuum and your golden.....

When I don't have matches. At least I know how to do it!!:flex::fire:

You really are on a new technology kick recently. That or giving me a beat down. :)
08-25-2008, 08:15 AM
Sarge

No beat downs buddy :)
Just the AEM and Amsoil filters flow better and have better filtration....fit your existing CAI setup....and no damn oiling.....all for less than a KN filter...so how can you lose? You cannot.
08-25-2008, 08:16 AM
Sarge

Oh yeah...I have been on a "new technology kick" since about 1969 :) Test Test Test baby!!
08-25-2008, 08:19 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge

No beat downs buddy :)
Just the AEM and Amsoil filters flow better and have better filtration....fit your existing CAI setup....and no damn oiling.....all for less than a KN filter...so how can you lose? You cannot.

:kick: I know.

Sounds like a great filter. I might just have to look into that. I had a conical on my T-bird, but it was K&N. The SLP lid I have now rubs on the SS hood. This might be a way to fix two problems at once.

All kidding aside, thanks for the info Sarge. it's great when someone cares enough to give good, researched, and honest info on newer products.
08-25-2008, 09:05 AM
rbob93

Where have you been jad628???
We had our last K&N vs. Amsoil filter war in December 2007! :lol:

The K&N guys were pretty much happy with allowing dirt in thier engines & having to clean & re-oil the K&N!
08-25-2008, 09:11 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbob93

Where have you been jad628???
We had our last K&N vs. Amsoil filter war in December 2007! :lol:

The K&N guys were pretty much happy with allowing dirt in thier engines & having to clean & re-oil the K&N!

I have no excuse, sir!!!

I will endeavor to make a more concerted effort to know what the hell is going on!
08-25-2008, 09:45 AM
rbob93

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad628

I have no excuse, sir!!!

I will endeavor to make a more concerted effort to know what the hell is going on!

:lol: :lol:
08-25-2008, 10:39 AM
blackSS01

I like my K&N but will be switching over to Amsoil here soon. My K&N just gets too damn expensive with the cleaner and oil. I seriously have to clean my filter every 5,000 or so miles. It gets fucking dirty.
08-25-2008, 11:31 AM
CamaroFan71

Where can this Amsoil filter be bought from??
08-25-2008, 11:45 AM
illcul8troffcr

Yea yea where O' Where?
08-25-2008, 08:45 PM
rbob93

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFan71

Where can this Amsoil filter be bought from??

Try https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/de...spx?zo=1606470
08-25-2008, 09:51 PM
JoshieDoom

What are the side effects of not oiling your K&N? I guess Im throw a couple of dollars at this. I really dont think about my air filter much(makes me sad.. now)
08-25-2008, 10:43 PM
rbob93

If you don't oil it you will pass big chunks of dirt into your engine.
The oil is to help the gauze collect dirt.
08-26-2008, 02:33 AM
Sarge

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFan71

Where can this Amsoil filter be bought from??

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/de...spx?zo=1606470
08-26-2008, 02:51 AM
CompSyn

LS1.com - AMSOIL Official Site Sponsor

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFan71

Where can this Amsoil filter be bought from??

You could always support your LS1.com site sponsor who is an authorized Amsoil dealer- Competition Synthetics

AMSOIL now offers universal air induction filters (EaAU) designed to replace stock oil wetted gauze or foam conical filters that were supplied with custom induction systems. AMSOIL Ea Air Induction Filters offer better efficiency, excellent airflow and are cleanable.

Amsoil Ea Air Induction Filters (EaAU) link

And become an Amsoil Preferred Customer today and save 20 to 25% on your new Amsoil Ea Air Induction Filter AND everything else Amsoil sells.

LS1.com – Amsoil Preferred Customer link

CompSyn
08-26-2008, 03:09 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by CompSyn

You could always support your LS1.com site sponsor who is an authorized Amsoil dealer- Competition Synthetics

AMSOIL now offers universal air induction filters (EaAU) designed to replace stock oil wetted gauze or foam conical filters that were supplied with custom induction systems. AMSOIL Ea Air Induction Filters offer better efficiency, excellent airflow and are cleanable.

Amsoil Ea Air Induction Filters (EaAU) link

And become an Amsoil Preferred Customer today and save 20 to 25% on your new Amsoil Ea Air Induction Filter AND everything else Amsoil sells.

LS1.com – Amsoil Preferred Customer link

CompSyn

An offer I don't think I can refuse!!! Good stuff.
09-04-2008, 04:10 AM
jad628

I've been having some e-mail correspondence with Comp Syn. I'm impressed with their filtration design and I'm gonna place an order soon. Even more impressive is their staff. It's so satisfying to discuss these matters with a competent person who knows the products they sell!!

One of the items I'm going to purchase is their air filter that fits the OEM airbox of our LS1's. Being I have a SLP lid and a functional SS "ram-air" hood, I feel going the tubing and conical filter route won't really be as beneficial for me. It appears that the OEM airbox replacement filter that Amsoil offers will flow better than the K&N does. I'm willing to put it to the test!
09-04-2008, 04:24 AM
andrew69_04

EAA83 is the amsoil part number for the filter that fits the stock F-body intake, just so people dont have to look it up.
09-04-2008, 04:28 AM
hardball75006

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackSS01

I like my K&N but will be switching over to Amsoil here soon. My K&N just gets too damn expensive with the cleaner and oil. I seriously have to clean my filter every 5,000 or so miles. It gets fucking dirty.

From the K&N web site:

"If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your filter is fine and does not yet need cleaning. To be more specific, the filter does not require cleaning if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the filter, it is time to clean it. When used in normal paved road, street or highway conditions, our replacement air filters that fit in the factory air box should require cleaning every 50,000 miles and our large conical filters on an intake system should require cleaning every 100,000 miles. When used in dusty or off-road environments, our filters will require cleaning more often. We recommend that you visually inspect your filter once every 25,000 miles to determine if the screen is still visible.
."

If your cleaning yours every 5000 miles, your wasting the cleaner and oil.
09-04-2008, 05:00 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardball75006

From the K&N web site:

"If you have not experienced a decrease in mileage or engine performance, chances are your filter is fine and does not yet need cleaning. To be more specific, the filter does not require cleaning if you can still see the wire screen on the entire air filter regardless of how dirty it may appear. When the screen is no longer visible some place on the filter, it is time to clean it. When used in normal paved road, street or highway conditions, our replacement air filters that fit in the factory air box should require cleaning every 50,000 miles and our large conical filters on an intake system should require cleaning every 100,000 miles. When used in dusty or off-road environments, our filters will require cleaning more often. We recommend that you visually inspect your filter once every 25,000 miles to determine if the screen is still visible.
."

If your cleaning yours every 5000 miles, your wasting the cleaner and oil.

I'm very sparing with the oil and I cannot imagine the filter going 25,000 - much less 50,000 - miles between cleanings. I've had K&N's (some were FIPK) on around five vehicles now, and I find that the LS1 airbox setup seems to get dirtier quicker than any of them. Maybe the functional SS hood really does have more forced air to the airbox than I originally thought! When I cleaned it recently, it looked like it had dried cocoa powder a 1/16" thick on the pleats all the way to the screen. I know that oil is going to attract more dirt, but less than 5000 miles did that. That's half the mileage that I usually have when I normally clean them as preventive maintenance (meaning they weren't THAT dirty then).

The video on the Amsoil media component they use for their filters is very compelling information. Worth a look. I also like the fact they don't badmouth the K&N, they just compete with it. I like that attitude!
09-04-2008, 05:06 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew69_04

EAA83 is the amsoil part number for the filter that fits the stock F-body intake, just so people dont have to look it up.

Yep, that's the one!!!

Oil filter is EAO32.
09-04-2008, 05:24 AM
CompSyn

Amsoil Videos...

jad628,

Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate that and am pleased that the information I sent you was helpful.

Also, there are five short video clips from Amsoil about Ea Air filters. These are the videos that jad628 is referring to:

Amsoil Absolute Efficentcy Air Filter Video link

Enjoy,

CompSyn
09-04-2008, 05:33 AM
jad628

Quote:

Originally Posted by CompSyn

jad628,

Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate that and am pleased that the information I sent you was helpful.

Also, there are five short video clips from Amsoil about Ea Air filters. These are the videos that jad628 is referring to:

Amsoil Absolute Efficentcy Air Filter Video link

Enjoy,

CompSyn

I thank you for the great info. The video was convincing too. I just placed the order, and I'm looking forward to trying Amsoil products!
09-04-2008, 10:36 PM
GatorSS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge

No beat downs buddy :)
Just the AEM and Amsoil filters flow better and have better filtration....fit your existing CAI setup....and no damn oiling.....all for less than a KN filter...so how can you lose? You cannot.

That darn oiling got to be a real PITA. Can't believe I did it for so many years.