GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I bought a Comos CAI and I don't know anything on the filter.I read here we have to oil and charge the filter before using it.What should I do exactly?Will it change anything if I put the air filter as is?

Really? I thought most of the good air filters were reasy to install out of box. Well I know that if you go to K&N and read their cleaning instructions it states that you need to have it oiled to work properly. So I would oil it before installing it. Thats just my opinion though.This is what the site saysK&N Air Filter Oil is the only oil specially formulated to work in combination with the cotton fabric in K&N Filtercharger® elements providing a superior air filtration system. When used as directed, it quickly penetrates the filter pleats, where it remains suspended in the cotton fabric. Saturation is maintained until the element is cleaned with K&N Air Filter Cleaner. http://www.knfilters.com/clningacc.htm

Buy a K&N recharge kit at Canadian Tire, about $16.00. It has the filter oil and the spray for cleaning the filter. It only needs cleaning once a year or so unless you drive on a lot of dirt roads. There are good instructions included.

Will it change anything if I put the filter as is without oiling it?I read all the instruction on my CAI and they do not say anything about the air filter maintenance and preparation.

All CAIs I've seen say they need the oil to properly filter...it helps catch contaminants. Running a dry filter could be risky...

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R »Will it change anything if I put the filter as is without oiling it?I read all the instruction on my CAI and they do not say anything about the air filter maintenance and preparation.Why don't you just phone Cosmo if you are so concerned?

Most filters come pre-oiled like a k&n (if its already pink its been oiled). There should be an oily residue on the filter, also if is shipped in a sealed bag this is also a good indication that it has been pre-oiled. Be careful not to over oil it as this can be hazardous to any sensors downstream of the filter!

Quote, originally posted by engine1 » Most filters come pre-oiled like a k&n (if its already pink its been oiled). There should be an oily residue on the filter, also if is shipped in a sealed bag this is also a good indication that it has been pre-oiled. Be careful not to over oil it as this can be hazardous to any sensors downstream of the filter!Mine came in a bag, but not sealed... and it is already red, but I don't know if it is already oiled or not.I'll call cosmo and ask them.

I called Cosmo.Their filter are not pre-oiled and he told me choosing of oiling or not the filter depends on the climate.He suggest me to do it, go to Canadian Tire and buy an oiling kit.

Ben do you need a place to install it? I am not sure if you got my IM but I said that you an use my friends' garage for the install Let me know.

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R »I called Cosmo.Their filter are not pre-oiled and he told me choosing of oiling or not the filter depends on the climate.He suggest me to do it, go to Canadian Tire and buy an oiling kit.That answer is very puzzling. Every filter I have seen either was or was not intended to be oiled. The ones that were gave specific instructions not to run them dry, as the efficiency would suffer. Ones designed to operate dry would be clogged or destroyed by oiling. I would ask for clear, written instructions on their dos and don'ts re oiling. (In fact I'm not too impressed by them sending you off to spend what? $20 or more? before you even install their filter.I wouldn't buy from them at all unless they came up with a convincing explanation of why they didn't oil it to start with!)

I agree Bill, I have never seen an wet/dry filter ever! Is the filter media celluloid(paper) or cotton guaze(like a K&N)?

The filter seems to be paper, but it is hard to tell with the grill on it.Here a copy of his reply to my e-mail Quote » Hi Benoit, Nice to talk to you. Yes, we recommend to have K&N oiled on the cone filter..it is the best for the Montreal environment. I also read some post on MatrixVibe.net on the Cosmo CAI and most of them oiled the air filter. So I bought a K&N oiling kit and oiled mine as well.At worst, I'll put this filter to the trash and buy a K&N filter. That way I will be sure it must be oiled.