Air Filter Oil

[450roo]

I have been using engine oil on my foam air filters for over 30 years, now I have people telling me that I must use dedicated air filter oil, the reasons are not very convincing to me. What is the opinion of this forum, do you use Air filter oil or any oil you have on hand?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[stl360+450]

There is some discussion of foam filters and oil vs. no oil in this thread. It's not at the top, so scroll down a bit until you see pictures of old air boxes wrapped with Uni foam.

 

[NeverEverJamToday]

 

[450roo]

Thanks, I'm a little wiser, I had not though of using the foam dry but perhaps it is the way to go? Though it seems to me that most if not all bikes using original foam filters use oil of some sort.

 

[stl360+450]

I'm still using original air boxes with replacement paper scavenged from automotive air filters — no need for oil with those.

I had previously used K&N spray filter oil with a set of K&N mesh filters, but didn't oil them much or often.

My thought about motor oil vs. air filter oil is that the motor oil may not adhere as well, but this is only a suspicion, not necessarily a fact.

 

[ericfreeman]

I've always used dedicated foam element oil as I believe it's a little tackier than plain oil. You want the oil to grab the dirt particles.

 

[450roo]

I'm still using original air boxes with replacement paper scavenged from automotive air filters — no need for oil with those.

I had previously used K&N spray filter oil with a set of K&N mesh filters, but didn't oil them much or often.

My thought about motor oil vs. air filter oil is that the motor oil may not adhere as well, but this is only a suspicion, not necessarily a fact.

The foam has always been oily when I washed it even after a considerable mileage, 5000 miles at times.

 

[EzPete]

I don’t even bother with oil.

 

[esh21167]

Interesting that this topic came up as I just cleaned/oiled a couple foam filters yesterday. I've gone to the spray on 'specialized oil.' It is definitely tackier, which seems like it should 'catch' more debris. No performance issues. After coating and working it in, I do let it sit for like half a day for the solvent/aerosol to dissipate. Don't know if that matters or not.

PB1 has a pink color that reinforces that the product has reached throughout. Yeah, a bit of a gimmick I guess, but doesn't hurt.

Note: If using one of those spray types, either put the filter in a plastic bag or wear exam gloves.

 

[450roo]

Enough people have recommended air cleaner oil for me to give it a try. I'm on my way to the motor accessories store right now!