Cotton Gauze type drop in air filters like K&N and TRD

v8Toilet · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2003, 08:46 PM

The cotton gauze type air filters like the TRD air filter and the K&N air filter use an oil saturated cotton gauze material to help trap dirt. It has been said that this oil can be sucked out of the filter and coat the mass air flow sensor causing poor performance and lack of power. I just installed the TRD air filter after re-oiling it and drove the truck for about 40-miles. I took the air filter box apart and swiped the top section in different areas in and around the MAF sensor to see if any of the oil from the filter element coated the mass air flow sensor and air box. I found no oil residue on any part of that air box. I followed the instructions on how to oil the filter and made sure that there was no white showing (oil is red/ pink in color).

If anyone has found oil from there K&N or TRD filter on the top side of there filter box or on the MAF sensor than my guess is they are over oiling the filter.

ZenKnight · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2003, 10:27 PM

That's K&N's take on it as well.

TRDKEAU · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 12:05 AM

or not letting it dry long enough. its good to run a paper filter for a couple of days to let the trd filter dry.

Dude Boy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 02:18 AM

Quote:

I followed the instructions on how to oil the filter and made sure that there was no white showing (oil is red/ pink in color).

The instructions with my filter cleaning kit says the oil is a yellow-gold color. Are you using TRD oil or K&N?

george60 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 02:41 AM

Thank you for doing that test. I'm leaning toward a K&N and you just answered one of my questions. Great work!

zebra1550 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 08:39 AM

K&N uses red dyed oil. TRD uses yellow dyed oil. Both are the same oil just different colors.

jim65wagon · #7 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 04:43 PM

I've used K&N for years on several different vehicles and I've never encountered any problems related to the air filter. No oil on the MAF wire or any longevity issues with engine life.

TMS2U · #8 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 05:56 PM

It also helps if you use the aerosolized oil and not the squirt bottle. Lets you lay down a nice uniform coat w/o overdoing it.

v8Toilet · #9 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TMS2U
It also helps if you use the aerosolized oil and not the squirt bottle. Lets you lay down a nice uniform coat w/o overdoing it.

Agree! I used K&N oil on the filter since they are the same types of filters as TRD.

One thing I noticed with this filter is that it makes a whooshing sound when I step on it.

Toy4ever · #10 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 10:58 PM

I just pulled my air intake off, throttle body off (cleaned it , it was pretty dirty) and cleaned my entire intake system. I replaced the K and N filter with a stock air filter and have been running this for the last three days. I do notice a difference at the bottom, more throttle response (adjusted throttle cable as well). But at the higher speeds it seems the same. When I pulled the filter it was full of crap. Bugs, dirt, sticks.......Needless to say I think I am going to stay with the stock filter unit until I find a filter that filters better than it. The few extra hp aren't worth taking the chance of ruining this engine. It will be very expensive to replace or repair.......