It is a common problem with any of the intakes with reusable filters. Primarily it is isolated to filters that have too much oil on them. How much is too much??? That is the question. Any oil that is let go of by the filter that gets on the MAF will cause problems. The key is to get enough oil in the filter to make it effective but not so much that it won't be able to hold on to all of the oil. It is more of a user error than a product problem. If you have used them before and not had problems, then I would think you know how much is too much. K&N does have a top reputation for intake filters.

 

Yes and No. If oil is applied properly like it sounds like you have, you will never have a problem. If over oiled and installed it is possible to get oil on the MAF. The K&N gets it's better flow by being more porous vs. a paper filter so it's easier to get blow by. FWIW in the past I have used K&N and found my oil to be dirtier than when it ran with paper filters with same mileage change intervals and consistent driving conditions. I shortened my oil change frequency. I have only ran paper in my current truck.

 

Buy a Airaid dry Synthamax filter instead and don't worry about the whole process.

 

I've been using a k&n since new and have not had any issues. Like stated don't over oil the filter.

 

I have to agree with Semi.. Been using a K&N drop in with an Airraid setup for years, still have the same filter I got for $30, and I clean it once a year, let it dry, and then lightly respray.

I am confident enough to say, 100% of people who have MAF issues with a oiled filter, simply applied too much oil, plain and simple.

If that wasn't true, oiled filters wouldn't still be sold because no one was using them.. If you do it right, it works better and last forever..

 

I agree with all the guys in support of using oiled air filters. Just wanted add that its not a bad idea because your are using an oiled filter to clean the MAF with approved cleaner once a year (CRC MAF Cleaner)... Just good insurance especially those of us running oiled filters. I've seen rough idles and other minor issues on vehicles with dirty MAFs even if they were using paper filters.

 

Agreed with above. its just like anything else, there is a right and a wrong way of doing it. If you clean and oil the filter properly and allow it to dry like the instructions tell you there is no issue. I have only ever ran oiled filters and never had an issue. However that being said I plan on buying a dry one next to see what the fuss is all about.

 

I suggest the AirRaid dry Synthamax filter, if you want to try one. Zero issues with mine since early 2013.

 

That's what I plan on going with, I should have just bought the kit when I bought the intake tube.

 

I have been using K&N filters for the longest time and on all of my families vehicles without an issue. I also usually let the filter stand for an hour or two after applying the oil as to let it "set". I ALSO use a filter charger (a prefilter) on my intake ..

as far as the mass airflow, yea once in a while you put too much and it runs like crap..clean out the MAF and be done with it, K&N filters work great, and oiled filters have been around for years now. go buy yourself a can of Mass Air Flow Cleaner and buy your filter of choice...

no matter what filter you use, from stock to the highest end filter, crap can and will get in and can get on the MAF..

 

Good stuff to know. Yes, I follow the directions religiously on the box (for the K&N filter). I've had about 3 of these in different vehicles and never ran into problems. Yeah, it's possible the person I was talking to put too much oil on (and I think he cleaned his about every 15-20k miles which I think may be a little too often IMO, whereas I do mine about every 30k). And when it does get cleaned, I let it air dry for a day or two (And the OEM filter--which only has about 10k miles of use on it anyway--for that time period in the truck until the K&N is try and ready to go). And yes, I'll probably need to clean the MAF sensor as it's about 85k now and probably should just be done anyways with all the highway driving I do.

 

As I've stated on here many times before, if you take your freshly cleaned and re-oiled (or new) filter, no matter which brand, and wrap it tightly in newspaper that contacts all surfaces and let it remain this way over night, you will have no problem with oil getting on your MAF from your filter.

It's just that simple.