OK, so I cleaned and re-oiled my K&N in my 5th Gen VFR800Fi this weekend, and the first 1/2 tank of gas milage was unbelieveably low. Some background:
- bike has 30,000mi, 6,500 since I bought it this May
- was getting roughly 200+/- per tank (refilled usually about 4 - 4.5 gallons each time)
- just did an oil change with Seafoam
- also put Seafoam in the gas tank which was 1/2 full (w/suggested ratio of fuel to Seafoam for fuel level in tank)
** cleaned and re-oiled K&N air filter. Put on about 4-5 layers of oil since I was not sure how much to use. Let it dry before starting bike.
Rode it on interstate during trip at 70-80mph for 2hrs and watched the gauge just go to nothing, quicker than normal. Re-filled tank. Not sure if mileage back to "normal" yet.
My question is -- can you put on too much oil on a K&N? How much do you put on the filter anyway?
Yes, you can put too much oil on a K&N filter.
Here's some instructions/tips for oiling one.
K&N oil comes two ways, a squeeze bottle of oil or a spray can. Remember you are oiling the OUTSIDE of the filter, the way air goes into the filter. With the squeeze bottle, put one thin line of oil on each pleat, only on one side please. With the spray oil, use this method: with the oil spray at about a 45 degree angle to the pleats, spray across the top of one pleat onto the side of the next pleat and put one quick line of oil on each pleat. NOTE that the spray oil comes out in a sputtering stream rather than a fan spray, like paint.
Wait at least 10 minutes and touch up any spots that are still white. The entire filter should have a light red color. DO NOT OIL THE ENTIRE FILTER TWICE! Only touch up white spots.
Thank you very much.
I was afraid of that, it's just that the K&N looks so pourous (sp?) when looking at it even after oiling, and I wanted to keep any and all dust and grit out. Thus the more is better approach. I will try to clean and re-oil as per your suggestions.
It wouldn't hurt you to take the filter out and clean up the mess you'll find.......... Then judge for yourself if it should be run though the cleaning and lightly oiled process again. If it's to thick it's going to reduce the air flow(which is why you're asking in the 1st place). Devils advocate here........
Yes you def do not want to over oil the KN as stated above. And IMHO Seafoam= snakeoil
Yes you def do not want to over oil the KN as stated above. And IMHO Seafoam= snakeoil
Snakeoil might be a little harsh for the Seafoam.
It does seem to work as a fuel stabilizer for winter storage.
It also seems to sometimes improve the running of some motors. Chances are any fuel system cleaner would have done the same.
I do sometimes use it as a stabilizer and if it does any fuel system cleaning, I will take that as a bonus.
on the seafoam/stablisier - my frankenviffer sat for 2 years, sometimes on a trickle charger, mostly not, I didn't use any form of fuel stabiliser - started it up once a month or so.
When I got it out of storage it fired up without a problem.
K&N content: i have one too, and agree, too much oil is bad.
From what I hear, Seafoam seems to work better on carbed bikes than on FI ones. Probably helps clear the inevitable ethanol crap out of the jets and such. Glad I read this thread, I need to replace my air filter and I'm definitely the type to go all OCD and slather on the oil.