Warning on K&N and other oilable air filters
#1
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Found this on LS1.com forums, and to me, if you hose the sucker down, getting stuff on the MAF makes sense, especially on such a relatively straight shot intake like ours.
The following is a memo from GM stating the use of rechargeable air filters may cause transmission shift problems, engine driveability problems & SES Light On problems (throwing codes). It also states these problems will NOT be covered under warranty. Yes, in part of the memo, it states "excessively oiled" filters. But for the most part, it reads any use of this type of filter & these issues won't be covered. I just figured some of you might want to know so you can throw a paper filter in if you take your car in for a problem.
SERVICE - ALL BUICK, CADILLAC, CHEVROLET, GMC TRUCK, ISUZU, OLDSMOBILE, PONTIAC AND HUMMER DEALERS
Subject: A/T Shift, Engine Driveability Concerns or SES Light On as a Result of the Installation of an Aftermarket Reusable, Excessively Oiled Air Filter -- 2004 and Prior Cars and Lt Duty Trucks and 2003-2004 HUMMER H2
Message #: VSS20040056
Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-013 will be available in SI on March 18, 2004.
Automatic Transmission Shift, Engine Driveability Concerns or Service Engine Soon (SES)
Light On as a Result of the Installation of an Aftermarket Reusable, Excessively Oiled Air Filter
Models: 2004 and All Prior Cars and Light Duty Trucks
2003-2004 HUMMER H2
DO THIS
First, Inspect the vehicle for a reusable aftermarket excessively oiled air filter
DON'T DO THIS
DO NOT repair under warranty if concerns result from the use of a reusable aftermarket oiled air filter.
The installation of an aftermarket reusable, oiled air filter may result in:
1. Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On
2. Transmission shift concerns, slipping and damaged clutch(es) or band(*)
3. Engine driveability concerns, poor acceleration from a stop, limited engine RPM range
The oil that is used on these air filter elements may be transferred onto the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor causing contamination of the sensor. As a result, the Grams per Second (GPS) signal from the MAF may be low and any or all of the concerns listed above may occur.
When servicing a vehicle with any of these concerns, be sure to check for the presence of an aftermarket reusable, excessively oiled air filter. The MAF, GPS reading should be compared to a like vehicle with a OEM air box and filter under the same driving conditions to verify the concern.
Transmission or engine driveability concerns that are the result of the installation of an aftermarket reusable, excessively oiled air filter are not considered to be warrantable repair items.
SERVICE - ALL BUICK, CADILLAC, CHEVROLET, GMC TRUCK, ISUZU, OLDSMOBILE, PONTIAC AND HUMMER DEALERS
Subject: A/T Shift, Engine Driveability Concerns or SES Light On as a Result of the Installation of an Aftermarket Reusable, Excessively Oiled Air Filter -- 2004 and Prior Cars and Lt Duty Trucks and 2003-2004 HUMMER H2
Message #: VSS20040056
Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-013 will be available in SI on March 18, 2004.
Automatic Transmission Shift, Engine Driveability Concerns or Service Engine Soon (SES)
Light On as a Result of the Installation of an Aftermarket Reusable, Excessively Oiled Air Filter
Models: 2004 and All Prior Cars and Light Duty Trucks
2003-2004 HUMMER H2
DO THIS
First, Inspect the vehicle for a reusable aftermarket excessively oiled air filter
DON'T DO THIS
DO NOT repair under warranty if concerns result from the use of a reusable aftermarket oiled air filter.
The installation of an aftermarket reusable, oiled air filter may result in:
1. Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On
2. Transmission shift concerns, slipping and damaged clutch(es) or band(*)
3. Engine driveability concerns, poor acceleration from a stop, limited engine RPM range
The oil that is used on these air filter elements may be transferred onto the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor causing contamination of the sensor. As a result, the Grams per Second (GPS) signal from the MAF may be low and any or all of the concerns listed above may occur.
When servicing a vehicle with any of these concerns, be sure to check for the presence of an aftermarket reusable, excessively oiled air filter. The MAF, GPS reading should be compared to a like vehicle with a OEM air box and filter under the same driving conditions to verify the concern.
Transmission or engine driveability concerns that are the result of the installation of an aftermarket reusable, excessively oiled air filter are not considered to be warrantable repair items.
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![repinS is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've known about excessive oil on a K&N fouling the MAF for a long time now. Thing is, nobody'* really ever said definately just how much is too much. But hey, my MAF is still good ![Wink](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
And my stock air filter is currently being used... K&N sucks in the winter, dad says.
![Wink](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
And my stock air filter is currently being used... K&N sucks in the winter, dad says.
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Sunshine State
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![mremer is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by willwren
Old news, bud. We've talked about this alot, but I have yet to have seen a car here do this.
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bloomington-Normal, IL 1997 SE
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![macho_mike21 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
you can always dab the filter with a cotton rag to get the excess oil off. If you have an air compressor, hose it down and hold your hand inside to see if any oil comes off. Be careful not to blow a hole in the filter though.
#8
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Livonia, NY
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![hunter548 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I did have a problem on both my 95 Mustang and on my 97 GMC truck with spark knock after installing K&N filters. It took a couple of hundred miles for the problem to creep up and at first, I thought it was just a tank of bad gas or maybe worn plugs. However, after checking the plugs (which were fine) and a couple of tanks of good gas, I very gently cleaned the MAF wire with a little carburator cleaner on a Q-TIP. A lot of black crud came off on the QTIP. Cleared the problem right up.
#9
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![CFoote is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A lot of the BMW folks have had issues with MAF replacements in M5s...and as you can imagine MAFs on that car are not cheap to replace. I've had a K&N on a Jeep now for 5 years with no problems but that doesn't have a MAF on it...
#10
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by hunter548
I did have a problem on both my 95 Mustang and on my 97 GMC truck with spark knock after installing K&N filters. It took a couple of hundred miles for the problem to creep up and at first, I thought it was just a tank of bad gas or maybe worn plugs. However, after checking the plugs (which were fine) and a couple of tanks of good gas, I very gently cleaned the MAF wire with a little carburator cleaner on a Q-TIP. A lot of black crud came off on the QTIP. Cleared the problem right up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pologuy
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
16
07-10-2009 06:10 PM
Kuhl
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
10
05-19-2003 03:32 PM