Damage From Running K&N Style Air Filter w/o Filter Oil

[DDDuc]

Hi all-

I semi-recently purchased a 2009 M1100S demo from a dealership that had already installed the Termi slip-on exhaust system (along with intake and computer upgrade).

Having recently moved to a cooler climate, for the first time today I was prepping the bike for winter, which required battery removal, among other things.

While digging around in the bike, I decided to check the airbox/filter to see if it was time to clean/replace the air filter.

The filter was bone dry, and dirt free.

It is my understanding that with the K&N type filter that comes with the Termi slip-on system, the tech was supposed to oil the air filter during install.  It appears that this was not done.

So, the bike now has about 6500 miles on it, all of which were accumulated with a dry filter.

I generally do not ride in dusty conditions.

I am considering contacting the dealer I purchased the bike from, but I assume that they would not do anything about this because the bike is running fine.  In addition, I purchased the bike in the Washington, D.C. area, but now live in Wisconsin.

Anybody have any idea what kind of damage running the dry filter for 6500 miles would have done, or recommendations as to what I should do, if anything?  Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

[koko64]

Does the filter look a pinkish/red color, or is it a flat grey color?
Is there much dust in the airbox under the filter?

I have found that a coating of rubber compatible grease on the filter seal is also important to make the filter operate effectively. K&N made a grease for this, but if its not available I would use a thin film of normal grease or oil to help the filter seal to the airbox. Sometimes I think that the dirt is just as likely to get around the seal rather than through it.

[ducpainter]

I have a K&N on my bike.

My tech tools on me relentlessly about it.

He claims even with oil they allow a lot of dirt into the engine.

I'm taking the Alfred E. Newman approach.

I suggest you oil the filter, if it isn't, and ride.

[Monster-Jay]

If it were me, I would take an oil sample and send it off to a lab for analysis....... air filter performance issues show up as elevated levels of silicon and potassium.  Damage can be spotted as excess wear metals (aluminium, iron, etc.).  Lab fees are inexpensive, about $20 at Blackstone labs.  I send off a sample for analysis every oil change for my own piece of mind.

Link: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

[lillo]

I think the race filter that comes with termi kit is pre-oiled. When I installed mine, I thought that I needed to but as I unwrapped my filter, I could tell that it was greasy/oily but not extensively. In your case it seems it went dry. You should buy a new one or just reoil it or grease.

[ducpainter]

If it were me, I would take an oil sample and send it off to a lab for analysis....... air filter performance issues show up as elevated levels of silicon and potassium.  Damage can be spotted as excess wear metals (aluminium, iron, etc.).  Lab fees are inexpensive, about $20 at Blackstone labs.  I send off a sample for analysis every oil change for my own piece of mind.

Link: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

An oiled K&N will show elevated silicon levels over a stock paper or other foam A/M filters, which is why my tech doesn't like them.

If you use a K&N it actually filters better when dirty, I've never cleaned mine, following the Donaldson claim that the contaminants in the filter increase the effectiveness of the filter.

[memper]

Well, what do you consider "damage"?

[DDDuc]

Hi all - thanks for the replies.  To answer koko64's questions, the filter is cylindrical, and light grey in color, and I did not find any dust or other debris in the airbox.  Are the replacement filters that come with the Termi kit normally a different color?

[lillo]

The termi filter is grey in color, yet not a light grey... A little darker

[koko64]

K&N filters are normally a pinkish/red color when freshly oiled due to the coloring in the oil which helps application.
A clean airbox is a good sign. Put some more oil on it as per the recharge kit instructions and enjoy riding it.

[He Man]

the K&N filter will filter out large particles. but its the small stuff that gets in. The oils function is to capture the small stuff. to be quite honest, unless your getting in parts that are alrge enough to keep a valve from fully closing, i wouldnt care too much. theres probably just as much soot being produced inside the combustion chamber to match.

[DucNaked]

Dp filter on left stock on the right

[DDDuc]

I definitely have the filter on the left; though it is lighter in color (probably due to lack of oil). I will get some oil and re-install.  Thanks for all the help guys. 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

Well, what do you consider "damage"?

Riding on a windy , dusty day  - riding in a sand storm , riding thru a farm field .

[Langanobob]

I had  exactly the same experience, and just oiled the filter and rode the bike.  14,000 miles later everything is fine.