Oil-impreg'ed air filters and the Vibe

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

Oil-impreg'ed air filters and the Vibe

Post by garnermike »

As I do with all my cars, I typically replace the paper air filter with an oil-impregnated version (e.g. K&N). Consumer Reports has said that the oil in these have had reported adverse effects on the mass air sensor/intake in the Vibe. As I take delivery of the new Vibe and contemplate said air filter switch, please advise/discuss? Thx!
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
zionzr2
Posts: 3174
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:59 am
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Oil-impreg'ed air filters and the Vibe (garnermike)

Post by zionzr2 »

there are dosens of people here with K&N filters with drop-ins or others...I think they will say that if you keep the oil correct you should be fine. Keep some MAF cleaner around and periodcally clean it and you should be good to go.I have not done this yet myself though...Maybe when my filter is due i may switch.
northvibe
Posts: 7641
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by northvibe »

over oiled filters is what mess up your maf sensor, then that needs to be cleaned. I would suggest if you put a oil air filter in is to clean the maf every couple months maybe and get a oil catch can
NUBlackshirts
Posts: 509
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 5:14 am

Re: Oil-impreg'ed air filters and the Vibe (garnermike)

Post by NUBlackshirts »

Another tip is to leave the filter out in the open air overnight when you first get it. This allows the oil to become more tacky and less likely to come off onto the MAF. I have been running a K&N drop-in filter for over a year and a half with no problems.
'04 Frosty GT <---Click here!Tein S-Tech springs; Tokico HP struts;Progress rear sway bar; DC Sports strut tower bar;Scion TC wheels; K&N Typhoon intake;GG Racing ground wires; JAW voltage stabilizer;FilterMAG SS-250; Militec-1; Sirius Satellite Radio
DavidPIL
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Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2003 2:38 pm

Re: Oil-impreg'ed air filters and the Vibe

Post by DavidPIL »

Hey...I've had a K&N drop-n then went to a K&N SR and haven't had a problem yet. Have reoiled the SR 4 times (yeah, a lot but I've been through a lot of dust and pollen) and have checked the MAF a few times and have noticed no major dirtying up of the little metal bands way up in the sensor or even the tear-drop looking thing. I still cleaned it but I don't think it was necessary. Dave
the1stacekiller
Posts: 131
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:36 am

Re: Oil-impreg'ed air filters and the Vibe (DavidPIL)

Post by the1stacekiller »

1 Year on K&N drop in Air Filter... Nooooooooo problem! Just doing my best Bad boy impression.. NOOOOOOOooooo Body
- 2004 Pontiac Vibe Base 2 Tone Grey Goodness -
binary
Posts: 1097
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:37 am

Post by binary »

ditto, but who's to say they're all oiled equally... It can happen.The 05-07 cars all have hydrocarbon filters between the air filter and maf - so that could reduce the chances that oil would make it to the maf.
MassiveOverkill
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:07 am

Post by MassiveOverkill »

I use the AEM dry filter, no worries about oiling issues.
~MRVIBE2006~
Posts: 212
Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:02 am

Re: (MassiveOverkill)

Post by ~MRVIBE2006~ »

Does anyone know the part number for the K/N drop in air filter? I tried to get it on their website and a few autoparts houses and they say that they dont have one. HELP!!!
2006 ABYSS VIBE: 20% TINT ALL AROUND FRONT & REAR SPLASH GUARDS MAGNAFLOW CAT-BACK EXHAUST GOODYEAR EAGLE GT (235/45/17) WITH TC WHEELS (SUMMER) DUNLOP WINTER SPORT M3 (215/55/16) ON STOCK ALLOYS (WINTER) AUTO VENTSHADE WINDOW VENTS PLUS SUNROOF VENT K/N AIR FILTER,OTHER DRESS-UP GOODIES...
ragingfish
Posts: 11022
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 8:23 am

Post by ragingfish »

The 2003-2005 MYs all used 33-2252. I would assume nothing has changed in the airbox since then...
YES!I still visit GenVibe periodically. I have not forgotten about my "original" family over here!

2009 PONTIAC G8
3.6L V6 (256 HP @ 6300 rpm, 248 ft-lbs. @ 2100 rpm)
goodvibe
Posts: 915
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 10:39 pm

Post by goodvibe »

Why worry about for 1 hp.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
djb383
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Location: The Republic of TEXAS

Post by djb383 »

'05 Lava Tutone base, Pwr Grp, Moon & Tunes, 16" alloys, Auto.....Yep, it's gotta HEMI
goodvibe
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Post by goodvibe »

When I had my Vibe. I liked the Wix(Napa Gold) filter quite a bit. The Filter is plenty large for the application, especially for the base. I don't think that you gain any HP at all in that application over a Wix that has more pleats (surface area) than other dry filters and it does a filters first job (filtering) really well. I think you gain a hp or 2 from a K&N in the GT but only at peak because it flows a lot of air above 7K rpm. You won't feel it but you can hear it since it doesn't damp intake sound as well.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
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