SpitfireS

This evening I was killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
I wanted to see the directional V on my SO-2's for myself and confirm they are in the right direction and check the condition of my K&N air filter.
(both "triggered" by posts I was reading just before dinner)
Anyway....

The tires are ok.
The K&N filter was NOT!
I know for sure it was oiled properly when I installed it (about 14 months / 29k km ago).
Last check was a while back and I had to spray some extra oil on.
Now I had to do it again.
New white spots, IMO the airflow sucks out the oil or something.
Or its the summer heat making the oil thin and easy to blow through?
The rest of the intake tubing (OEM stock filter box) was clean, I wiped it with a white cloth as far as I could reach in.
I had a K&N in my Accord for 10 years and I never noticed any white spots on it.
I had to walk back for the oil so I took my camera too.

xviper

I have used K&Ns extensively in the past and in my other vehicles. I currently use a JR (which is a "K&N like" filter). I've seen these "white" spots in my JR and in the K&N that I used to use (that came with the Vortech). I've also seen them in all my other applications. I believe that the white spots are a guide to oiling them properly and once oiled, natural airflow (and it's high in our cars) will "thin out" the oil film. I also don't believe that this is a bad thing. This doesn't mean that the oil film is gone, only that it's not thick enough to be seen. You must also consider that once the filter ventures into its service life, dirt and other particles that get caught in the filter will suck up the oil, whereby the visible nature of it will change. It is common knowledge that a dirty K&N filter is one that filters better.
I just posted a response in another thread where I commented that with the use of such filters, one much adhere to a proper regimen of oil and oil filter changes. The advantage of such filters is better airflow, better performance, however, the disadvantage is that the stuff that gets by will make the oil dirtier, sooner. This is not a bad thing in itself as this is part of what the oil is there for. You just can't neglect the engine oil service. I'd rather have the free flow and change my oil by the "severe" schedule with a good name brand oil.

Filthy Beast

Speaking of filters Comptec has a "foam" type filter for our cars.
The damn thing is $200.00, are you paying for the name ? Or is the this a wash and dry type filter ?

xviper

Yes, it is a re-useable filter. You can get a cleaning/oiling kit for it.

SpitfireS

xviper Posted on Jul 10 2006, 09:04 PM

As soon as its time to change oil I will do a UOA.
(also to see how its shearing.. IF its shearing at all )
The silicon count should confirm the K&N "better flow - worse filtering".
If not then its the best of both worlds