K&n cai caused oil leak?

[Claybraham]

I cleaned it, drove it, looked for where it was coming from, cleaned it, drove it.... it's just hard to see the back side of the block. But when I pulled the intake the rtv looked pretty crappy. New rear main, new valve covers, new distributor gasket, new oil pan gasket, pcv, oil pressure switch is good, so it's gotta be the intake gasket, at least I'd hope.

 

[Thatfordguy]

In the diesel world you only use a k&n if you want to dust your motor. And knowing that I have always steered away from them in gas engines as well

 

[Blackwater]

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm

It's pretty well known that oiled gauze filters are terrible at actually filtering anything. Sure, they flow better, but 99% of us don't need that extra flow and won't gain anything from it. What you do gain with a K&N however is the ability to foul your MAF up with filter oil. I've had this happen with both the conical filter on my FIPK and a drop in filter for the factory box. And before you say I over oiled them, it happened with brand new filters right out of the box.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but personally I think K&N products are a great way to waste money and let more dirt into your engine.

Ok, What years did they start using a MAF in the GMT400 platform? Surely not in a 90 model 350 TBI that this man is asking about. So that commit on it would ruin the MAF is invalid on this model. If is oil from the filter then the tube would have a oily residue inside. Also, there are no warranty issues using oil bath cotton filters. You void warranties on suspension when you do lifts and exhaust or change a major item in the engine. You can also void the warranty if something like an particular oil filter causes a MAF sensor to FUBAR (Military acronym for ****** Up Beyond Any Repair/Recognition) I think you Sir, need to stick with the issue he has and try to think of ways to solve his issue and drop the air filter causing his issue. However, I still disagree with the cleanliness you claim as terrible. I have gone through my own personal test on this subject. With what is going on at this moment I don't have time to recreate these test. I will attempt to this summer. With the wife gone to take care of our new granddaughter, me with both boys, 9 hour work days, one lawnmower not running and the other need and overhaul, on call with the local fire and rescue, fixing damage to the home over the winter. This stupid argument can wait. But for those of you that are curious on the subject I will leave a few links for you to decide.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/MAFBadDiagnosis.aspx?pkid=4210029&rw=1
http://www.knfilters.com/air_filter_testing.htm
http://www.knfilters.com/faq.htm
http://www.knfilters.com/contingency/
http://www.knfilters.com/video/kn_all_videos.htm

 

[Blackwater]

I cleaned it, drove it, looked for where it was coming from, cleaned it, drove it.... it's just hard to see the back side of the block. But when I pulled the intake the rtv looked pretty crappy. New rear main, new valve covers, new distributor gasket, new oil pan gasket, pcv, oil pressure switch is good, so it's gotta be the intake gasket, at least I'd hope.

Ok, I still think is blowback from your valve covers. This is my reasoning. There is no oil lines to your TB or your intake. There are lines coming from you valve covers to the TB. This is for your emissions. Gasses get trapped from the valves. Remember, when your valves open, there is no seal to keep some of the fuel/air and exhaust for seeping through. There is a tube from the left bank to the rear of your TB. Look at that ring at the top of the TB where the breather rest on. is it oily? clean the ring and gasket or replace that gasket. and see if your oil is coming from that tube. Its doing that on mine. Lastly, how often do you have to refill the motor oil? I know I'm leaking. you could use an inspection mirror from harbor freight or Oriliys.

 

[Claybraham]

Yep no maf! Thank you for noticing that I have a 90 lol. I pulled the intake, i found that the rtv between the heads on the back side was pretty bad. Especially where the corner on the head meets the block on the passenger side. So hopefully this is my issue! I looked where you told me to, I didn't notice any oil around the ring. I'll be sure to take a look at it agian when I get home tonight! Maybe I missed it. If that's the issue, it's still getting intake gaskets cause I already took it off. Thank you for the help!!!

 

[Claybraham]

Oh and I change the oil every 3000 miles. Since this leak though, it will lose about half a quart! No joke its a lot. I'd drive it maybe 2 or 3 miles and inspect it after i did the valve cover gaskets etc... trying to get rid of the leak. I should have the intake on by Monday though. I'll keep you posted!

 

[df2x4]

Ok, What years did they start using a MAF in the GMT400 platform? Surely not in a 90 model 350 TBI that this man is asking about. So that commit on it would ruin the MAF is invalid on this model. If is oil from the filter then the tube would have a oily residue inside. Also, there are no warranty issues using oil bath cotton filters. You void warranties on suspension when you do lifts and exhaust or change a major item in the engine. You can also void the warranty if something like an particular oil filter causes a MAF sensor to FUBAR (Military acronym for ****** Up Beyond Any Repair/Recognition) I think you Sir, need to stick with the issue he has and try to think of ways to solve his issue and drop the air filter causing his issue. However, I still disagree with the cleanliness you claim as terrible. I have gone through my own personal test on this subject. With what is going on at this moment I don't have time to recreate these test. I will attempt to this summer. With the wife gone to take care of our new granddaughter, me with both boys, 9 hour work days, one lawnmower not running and the other need and overhaul, on call with the local fire and rescue, fixing damage to the home over the winter. This stupid argument can wait. But for those of you that are curious on the subject I will leave a few links for you to decide.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/MAFBadDiagnosis.aspx?pkid=4210029&rw=1
http://www.knfilters.com/air_filter_testing.htm
http://www.knfilters.com/faq.htm
http://www.knfilters.com/contingency/
http://www.knfilters.com/video/kn_all_videos.htm

So because he has a '90 with no MAF, my points (based on personal experience) are invalid? OK, why are you bringing up suspension lifts, then? Same deal. The fact remains that crap got into my intake tube that would not have made it in there had I been using a paper filter.

I also find it funny that you supplied a ton of links, ALL from K&N themselves. (EDIT - And upon further review, not a single one of them contains any information which refutes any of my points from earlier.) Seems you've bought into their marketing campaign hook line and sinker. Like I said, you're entitled to your opinion. I'll continue to share mine whenever the subject comes up. Which is, they're garbage.

 

[Claybraham]

I'm really not trying to start anything. I really appreciate everyone's help, input, advice etc... personally I see nothing wrong with the k&n. But I have very little experience with it. I have built several motors, 350 vortec, etc. I'm no master mechanic by no means, but I do know a bit. I posted here because this is my first obs and I finally got one lol. Just wanting to talk with people that love these trucks as much as me. Agian thanks to all for the input, ideas, and advice! In the end, I just wanna get my truck on the road agian. Thanks everyone!

 

[df2x4]

I'm really not trying to start anything. I really appreciate everyone's help, input, advice etc... personally I see nothing wrong with the k&n. But I have very little experience with it. I have built several motors, 350 vortec, etc. I'm no master mechanic by no means, but I do know a bit. I posted here because this is my first obs and I finally got one lol. Just wanting to talk with people that love these trucks as much as me. Agian thanks to all for the input, ideas, and advice! In the end, I just wanna get my truck on the road agian. Thanks everyone!

You're good, bud. Hope you get it figured out! I just have to point out the flaws with K&N when they get brought up in conversation because I personally have wasted way too much money (and time) on their products in the past. Would like to help as many people as possible to not make the same mistake.

If you're going to keep running the K&N, just check the inside of your intake tube once in a while. Make sure it's not coated in oil and dirt like mine was.

 

[Claybraham]

I understand! I have checked the tube a few times, it felt oil free and no dust. But, I haven't really got to drive it to far because as soon as I put it on, a day later I got this crazy leak lol. I've used other cai's with no issues, but this is my first K&n. Thanks to all!