Oil for redline air filters

[bluecar]

Just bought a redline filter on e bay. Says that a filter oil should be used before installing.

Just go to auto pro for that would you?

[Jamie_87]

Yeh you can get the stuff from super cheap autp , autobarn, peps, auto pro etc...its used to catch all the fine dust/particles from going into the engine and make it easier to clean , i bought the K&N cleaning kit from supercheap auto for $20 for my panel filter and ull be amazed how much dirt the filter catches over 5000km's

[bluecar]

thanks jamie, had read about it somewhere on here but couldn't find the thread.

[kopper69]

I got a K&N filter off ebay and it came pre-oiled. Would assume yours will be the same. Good to get some oil tho.

[Jamie_87]

yeh my K&N panel came pre oiled but u need the full cleaning kit(clean and oil) cos when u clean it , obviously u need to re-oil it, otherwise u could potential wreck you filter and let particles into ur engine

[Don Sutton]

When I worked for a company that manufactured OEM air filters the filter paper was oiled with autotransmission fluid (Dexron) as it is harmless to rubber parts used in the intake system. This makes the filter paper red naturally from the original paper colour of either yellow or white.

[clinster73]

Id laugh if the oil filter recharge kits did actually use trans oil!!!

[Jamie_87]

Thats very interesting Don , cos i thought the oil smelt like transmission fluid when i bought it , oh well when my kit runs out ill just use that and buy the cleaner by itself save 10buks,lol

[digisol]

I use the K&N stuff, both filters are essentially the same thing.

Many years ago when a K&N filter was the norm for all racing bikes all we did was to wash them in clean fuel and use the remains of any premix fuel/oil to re-oil the filter, "and that included dad's lawn mower fuel" and those filters were exposed to all sorts of rocks, dirt and other crud.

[kopper69]

I got a K&N oiling/cleaning kit today for $20. Whats the suggested cleaning interval?

[digisol]

Read the box ?

[kopper69]

Looked through the filter box and cleaning kit. Couldnt find anything. MIght have a look on the K&N website.

[kopper69]

OK from the K&N website:

"The general rule of thumb is that the filter needs to be cleaned when the dirt build up gets as thick as the wire mesh. The usual interval is 30,000 - 50,000 miles depending on driving conditions. We recommend that you check your filter about once a year in normal usage."

[digisol]

When I first bought the VS it had a worn out K&N filter, I went and bought a Redline filter that is exactly the same "but half the price" and followed the instructions on the Redline box, and also the K&N cleaning / re-oiling kit that has the destructions all over each.

As said years ago I used K&N filters before they were trendy and the normal deal was to wash in clean fuel and re - oil with some spare premix that is tossed out anyway, no matter what the type of fuel in it, and that was done monthly.

Once oil is mixed with fuel the oil loses it's viscosity after a week or less, and that includes mineral, vegetable or synthetic oil we used, so the norm was to only mix enough for the one race meeting, racing fuel (the usual Shell 115MB) or (BP100) or even (105-110 avgas) all which were not all that cheap back then either as it only came in 25 lit drums as the smallest quantity available. PS don't try either in a commo, you will burn out the valves-pistons real quick, try methanol and it won't even start it needs twice the volume of fuel compared to even 115MB let alone petrol.

No filter was ever damaged due to using petrol or fuel (includung methanol) and Castrol R on it, they want you to buy the proper stuff to get more cash from ya, that's all.

[Don Sutton]

As the MAF sensor is after the air filter in a Commodore (VS model anyway), it is important that the filter is not over oil as this will get on the sensor and coat the element. This will alter the air fuel ratio by preventing the sensor from correctly measuring the air stream.