CAI and oil on sensor... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Turranv6 · 09-02-2015, 04:14 PM

I am looking at adding a CAI to my car just not sure which yet but I read sometimes oil from the filter can mess up the mass flow sensor? Has anyone ever been thru this? I read its a myth started by dealerships.

Thanks again,

Turranv6 · 09-02-2015, 04:20 PM

Does the brand matter? Do you have to clean it more often?

Dizzy82 · 09-02-2015, 05:10 PM

Buy some MAF cleaner and clean the sensor every couple of months.

Red2014SS · 09-02-2015, 05:14 PM

I am running a Z28 CAI with a dry filter now. On my previous four cars, I used an oiled filter. Never had any problems with sensors. Just do not over oil the filter. You don't need a ton of oil... just enough to coat the filter. Watch some videos on You Tube from the manufacturers. Most people want to drown the filters with oil and that's where the trouble starts. It is not myth.

Turranv6 · 09-02-2015, 06:29 PM

Thx for all the solid info. Just a quick question. If you go dry filter about how often do you need to replace it?

1Coopgt · 09-02-2015, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turranv6

Thx for all the solid info. Just a quick question. If you go dry filter about how often do you need to replace it?

The same amount of time you would replace a stock air filter .

rtcat600man · 09-03-2015, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy82

Buy some MAF cleaner and clean the sensor every couple of months.

I clean my MAF sensor every other oil change, approx. 8K miles.

Apex Motorsports · 09-03-2015, 08:50 AM

Oiled filters do not cause MAF sensor problems. Oiled filter owners that excessively oil their filters cause MAF sensor problems. This is no different than if you fill your vehicles engine with too much oil, causing damage to it. As long as the directions are adhered to when using your cleaning kit supplied by the manufacturer, you should have no problems. If you do end up with oil on your MAF it is an easy fix. Simply swing by your local parts store and pick up a can of MAF cleaner.

The key is to blot the filter with paper towels until it stops picking up oil. Once you do that you have nothing to worry about. Oiled filters perform better than dry and that is why they are used in performance applications. I wouldn't let some irrational fear keep you from getting what works best.

Turranv6 · 09-03-2015, 04:35 PM

Ok this might be a dumb question but if you set in a CAI do you have to change your fuel type? My car calls for regular and all I read says there no reason to upgrade to premium. Tried searching that 1st could not find a answer.

dmginc · 09-03-2015, 04:54 PM

your car will run fine on 87 and better on 91/93.

Apex Motorsports · 09-03-2015, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turranv6

Ok this might be a dumb question but if you set in a CAI do you have to change your fuel type? My car calls for regular and all I read says there no reason to upgrade to premium. Tried searching that 1st could not find a answer.

No, but...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmginc

your car will run fine on 87 and better on 91/93.

...this.

Turranv6 · 09-03-2015, 05:15 PM

Thanks again for all the great info!!!

Sales @ CAI Inc · 09-16-2015, 08:31 AM

Choosing a dry or oiled media filter for your vehicle.
When choosing an air filter for your vehicle, a very common question is whether a dry media filter (paper filter) or an oiled filter is the best choice. There has been much debate to this subject to determine which filter actually performs better, considering things such as filtration, airflow, longevity and overall performance. Although the debate has been fought from both sides, and both sides may be able to argue pros and cons for each filter type, the filter type that the engineers at Cold Air Inductions Inc. trust and use is the oiled filter.
One of the most common and misunderstood conceptions surrounding oiled filters is that they will cause problems with you MAF sensor. The only time this would ever happen is if when you went to clean and oil your filter (often reffered to as recharge) after the recommended time from the manufacturer, you over oiled the filter and/or damaged it and did not let it dry enough. This is no different than if you fill your vehicles engine with too much oil, causing damage to it. As long as the directions are adhered to when using your cleaning kit supplied by the manufacturer, you should have no problems.
When deciding which type of filter would be used with our Cold Air Intakes, many things were considered, researched and tested when choosing between an oiled filter and a dry media (paper) filter. The 3 main requirements that were important to us are the same characteristics that are important to all consumers when choosing an air filter; those 3 items are filtration, air flow and longevity.
Filtration and Airflow:
In order for a dry media, paper air filter to filter dirt effectively, the filter and its fibers must be thick and densely compressed in order for them to filtrate up to industry standards. That being said, this denser and thicker media becomes more restrictive, not allowing air to flow as fast and efficiently as it should. Due to this restrictive media, over time, a dry media paper filter will build up with more and more dust and dirt particles.
Once debris has built up to a certain point, the pressure inside the filter will drop while the air pressure outside the filter will remain the same. If the buildup gets too bad, and the difference in pressure becomes too great, it can result in a dry media paper filter to cave in or collapse on itself. In addition, an excessively high difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the filter, brought on by an overly clogged filter media, can literally pull dirt particles through the paper medium. This causes the air flow and filtration to decrease as the filter becomes more and more clogged.
In comparison, oiled filters include multiple layers of oiled cotton or gauze fabric which captures dirt and debris more effectively. The debris entering the filter will actually stick to the oiled fibers of the filter, and actually become part of the filtering media. This process, sometimes referred to as depth loading by some filter manufacturers, allows the filter to retain more dirt per square inch than a paper filter. On many oiled filters, the cotton or gauze fabric is then meshed between pleated aluminum screens. Pleating the layers of filter media increases the surface area which allows the filter to be in use longer, and capture more debris than a standard non oiled and/or non-pleated filter media.
As dust particles enter the filter they are stopped by the interwoven layers and are then captured in place through the oil. Dirt and debris that are retained on the surface of an oiled filter media have little effect on air flow because there are no small holes to clog like there would be on a paper filter media due to the interwoven layers. So when a paper filter starts to clog, an oiled filter media is still filtering debris just as effectively as when you purchased it, as well as retaining a higher level of airflow. This is due largely to the oiled filter media as well as the method that is used to hold the layers together.
When tested, we have found that an oiled filter media will have less restricted flow when compared to a dry media paper filter on a flow bench test. Although an oiled filter media may have between 4 and 8 layers of filtration, it still flows faster and less restricted than a paper filter that is densely bound together. So while filtration is increased, the flow is also increased because of the manner in which the filter layers are constructed.
Longevity:
Another great reason to choose an oiled filter over a dry paper filter is for the longevity and cost savings it will provide you. On average, a paper filter should be replaced between 4,000 to 5,000 miles or every oil change. Typically the average cost of a paper filter is about $10 to $12. After one year of driving 15,000 miles, at least 3 paper filters are needed, this totals $30 to $35. An oiled filter will generally run from $25 to $50, but will never need to be replaced! Therefore an oiled filter will “pay itself off” so to speak in 1-2 years. As long as you plan on driving for more than another 2 years, your costs saving over the life of the vehicle will greatly add up, especially if you are paying for the labor to replace the filter at your dealer or local auto shop. Considering the fact that you may only need to “recharge” your oiled filter a few times during the course of its service life, and that It will never need to be replaced, it makes vehicle maintenance simpler and more affordable.
Conclusion:
For the reasons above as well as others, Cold Air Inductions prefers the benefits of an oiled filter media as opposed to a dry paper air filter. For more information and a 3d look into Cold Air Inductions Inc. specially designed and engineered high performance air filters, please visit http://www.ColdAirInductions.com I hope that you have found this information helpful, and look forward to bringing you more informative articles soon!

Mark G
Sales @ Cold Air Inductions Inc.
(810)392-9999

Lacpac · 09-16-2015, 10:18 AM

I've been running flat K&N filters in my other cars and never had a problem. But if you're concerned, look into the Donaldson Power Core filters. I have one on my Volant CAI but I believe you can use them with any intake tube as long as you match up the diameter. Based on my research, forums, etc. this filter is the only one that has increased air flow and better filtering than a stock filter, and it's dry. Good for 50-100k miles and made by a company that is a filter company, Donaldson. If I had to do it al over again I would buy the Cold air Inductions set-up and use a Powercore filter. A little pricey for both, but this would be my ideal set-up.

09-02-2015, 04:14 PM	#1
Turranv6 Drives: Black 2015 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: houston Posts: 96	CAI and oil on sensor... I am looking at adding a CAI to my car just not sure which yet but I read sometimes oil from the filter can mess up the mass flow sensor? Has anyone ever been thru this? I read its a myth started by dealerships. Thanks again,

09-02-2015, 05:10 PM	#3
Dizzy82 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS A6 RJT SuperCharged Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 87114 Posts: 3,503 View My Garage	Buy some MAF cleaner and clean the sensor every couple of months. __________________ Power is worthless without control. *The 2nd* protects the 1st.** BMR sub frame brace, BMR tunnel brace, LSR sways, LSR CM ca & tl, Sphon ExD el, GM tower brace, Megan EZ Streets, Goodridge Stainless Steel Braided brake lines, PowerStop D/S rotors & pads, Doug Thorty Ceramic Shorties, Magnaflow x-pipe, MRT V2.0, KICKER PowerStage sub & amp, Infinity speakers & tweeters, Viteese Throttle Controller, Viteese Paddle Shifters, ACS T2 Splitter, ACS T2 Ports/Quad LED lights, VDI kit, Havoc diffuser, IPF ECU/TRANS tuned, IPF/KPE Supercharged. 364RWHP/297RWTQ

09-02-2015, 05:14 PM	#4
Red2014SS Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,421	I am running a Z28 CAI with a dry filter now. On my previous four cars, I used an oiled filter. Never had any problems with sensors. Just do not over oil the filter. You don't need a ton of oil... just enough to coat the filter. Watch some videos on You Tube from the manufacturers. Most people want to drown the filters with oil and that's where the trouble starts. It is not myth. __________________ 2014 2SS/RS, L99, SW LTH w/HF Cats, GMPP Ex. Z/28 CAI, FR41s in PVD Black Chrome, Recaros, Pfadt Sway 377hp, 383tq 12.739@110.44 MPH

09-03-2015, 04:54 PM	#10
dmginc Drives: In Circles Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,433 View My Garage	your car will run fine on 87 and better on 91/93. __________________ CAI Cold Air Intake, BMR Strut Tower Brace, BMR 1.2" Lowering Springs Gen5DIY Fog Lights, Big Worm Third Brake Light/Side Marker Tint (Charcoal) GTS Tail Light Covers, Purple Under Hood Lighting Magnaflow Resonated X-Pipe w/ Muffler Delete Black Plasti Dipped Wheels, Z/28 Spoiler

09-02-2015, 04:20 PM	#2
Turranv6 Drives: Black 2015 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: houston Posts: 96	Does the brand matter? Do you have to clean it more often?

09-02-2015, 06:29 PM	#5
Turranv6 Drives: Black 2015 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: houston Posts: 96	Thx for all the solid info. Just a quick question. If you go dry filter about how often do you need to replace it?

09-03-2015, 08:50 AM	#8
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	Oiled filters do not cause MAF sensor problems. Oiled filter owners that excessively oil their filters cause MAF sensor problems. This is no different than if you fill your vehicles engine with too much oil, causing damage to it. As long as the directions are adhered to when using your cleaning kit supplied by the manufacturer, you should have no problems. If you do end up with oil on your MAF it is an easy fix. Simply swing by your local parts store and pick up a can of MAF cleaner. The key is to blot the filter with paper towels until it stops picking up oil. Once you do that you have nothing to worry about. Oiled filters perform better than dry and that is why they are used in performance applications. I wouldn't let some irrational fear keep you from getting what works best.

09-03-2015, 04:35 PM	#9
Turranv6 Drives: Black 2015 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: houston Posts: 96	Ok this might be a dumb question but if you set in a CAI do you have to change your fuel type? My car calls for regular and all I read says there no reason to upgrade to premium. Tried searching that 1st could not find a answer.

09-03-2015, 05:15 PM	#12
Turranv6 Drives: Black 2015 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: houston Posts: 96	Thanks again for all the great info!!!

09-16-2015, 08:31 AM	#13
Sales @ CAI Inc Drives: 2010 SS/RS Supercharged 427 Build Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,504	Choosing a dry or oiled media filter for your vehicle. When choosing an air filter for your vehicle, a very common question is whether a dry media filter (paper filter) or an oiled filter is the best choice. There has been much debate to this subject to determine which filter actually performs better, considering things such as filtration, airflow, longevity and overall performance. Although the debate has been fought from both sides, and both sides may be able to argue pros and cons for each filter type, the filter type that the engineers at Cold Air Inductions Inc. trust and use is the oiled filter. One of the most common and misunderstood conceptions surrounding oiled filters is that they will cause problems with you MAF sensor. The only time this would ever happen is if when you went to clean and oil your filter (often reffered to as recharge) after the recommended time from the manufacturer, you over oiled the filter and/or damaged it and did not let it dry enough. This is no different than if you fill your vehicles engine with too much oil, causing damage to it. As long as the directions are adhered to when using your cleaning kit supplied by the manufacturer, you should have no problems. When deciding which type of filter would be used with our Cold Air Intakes, many things were considered, researched and tested when choosing between an oiled filter and a dry media (paper) filter. The 3 main requirements that were important to us are the same characteristics that are important to all consumers when choosing an air filter; those 3 items are filtration, air flow and longevity. Filtration and Airflow: In order for a dry media, paper air filter to filter dirt effectively, the filter and its fibers must be thick and densely compressed in order for them to filtrate up to industry standards. That being said, this denser and thicker media becomes more restrictive, not allowing air to flow as fast and efficiently as it should. Due to this restrictive media, over time, a dry media paper filter will build up with more and more dust and dirt particles. Once debris has built up to a certain point, the pressure inside the filter will drop while the air pressure outside the filter will remain the same. If the buildup gets too bad, and the difference in pressure becomes too great, it can result in a dry media paper filter to cave in or collapse on itself. In addition, an excessively high difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the filter, brought on by an overly clogged filter media, can literally pull dirt particles through the paper medium. This causes the air flow and filtration to decrease as the filter becomes more and more clogged. In comparison, oiled filters include multiple layers of oiled cotton or gauze fabric which captures dirt and debris more effectively. The debris entering the filter will actually stick to the oiled fibers of the filter, and actually become part of the filtering media. This process, sometimes referred to as depth loading by some filter manufacturers, allows the filter to retain more dirt per square inch than a paper filter. On many oiled filters, the cotton or gauze fabric is then meshed between pleated aluminum screens. Pleating the layers of filter media increases the surface area which allows the filter to be in use longer, and capture more debris than a standard non oiled and/or non-pleated filter media. As dust particles enter the filter they are stopped by the interwoven layers and are then captured in place through the oil. Dirt and debris that are retained on the surface of an oiled filter media have little effect on air flow because there are no small holes to clog like there would be on a paper filter media due to the interwoven layers. So when a paper filter starts to clog, an oiled filter media is still filtering debris just as effectively as when you purchased it, as well as retaining a higher level of airflow. This is due largely to the oiled filter media as well as the method that is used to hold the layers together. When tested, we have found that an oiled filter media will have less restricted flow when compared to a dry media paper filter on a flow bench test. Although an oiled filter media may have between 4 and 8 layers of filtration, it still flows faster and less restricted than a paper filter that is densely bound together. So while filtration is increased, the flow is also increased because of the manner in which the filter layers are constructed. Longevity: Another great reason to choose an oiled filter over a dry paper filter is for the longevity and cost savings it will provide you. On average, a paper filter should be replaced between 4,000 to 5,000 miles or every oil change. Typically the average cost of a paper filter is about $10 to $12. After one year of driving 15,000 miles, at least 3 paper filters are needed, this totals $30 to $35. An oiled filter will generally run from $25 to $50, but will never need to be replaced! Therefore an oiled filter will “pay itself off” so to speak in 1-2 years. As long as you plan on driving for more than another 2 years, your costs saving over the life of the vehicle will greatly add up, especially if you are paying for the labor to replace the filter at your dealer or local auto shop. Considering the fact that you may only need to “recharge” your oiled filter a few times during the course of its service life, and that It will never need to be replaced, it makes vehicle maintenance simpler and more affordable. Conclusion: For the reasons above as well as others, Cold Air Inductions prefers the benefits of an oiled filter media as opposed to a dry paper air filter. For more information and a 3d look into Cold Air Inductions Inc. specially designed and engineered high performance air filters, please visit http://www.ColdAirInductions.com I hope that you have found this information helpful, and look forward to bringing you more informative articles soon! Mark G Sales @ Cold Air Inductions Inc. (810)392-9999

09-16-2015, 10:18 AM	#14
Lacpac Drives: 2012 Crystal Red Tintcoat RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 485 View My Garage	I've been running flat K&N filters in my other cars and never had a problem. But if you're concerned, look into the Donaldson Power Core filters. I have one on my Volant CAI but I believe you can use them with any intake tube as long as you match up the diameter. Based on my research, forums, etc. this filter is the only one that has increased air flow and better filtering than a stock filter, and it's dry. Good for 50-100k miles and made by a company that is a filter company, Donaldson. If I had to do it al over again I would buy the Cold air Inductions set-up and use a Powercore filter. A little pricey for both, but this would be my ideal set-up.