OK guys need advice on the TRD air filters....the good, the bad, the ugly

survivorman · 04-28-2008, 07:49 PM

OK guys and gals, I have the TRD air filter and have been doing some searching.....I was going to buy the cleaning kit, but wanted to hold off and get a few opinions on these.....are they worth the money?? do they help with increasing MPG?

I have seen where some people were having issues with the MAF sensors....is this from over oiling?? do you guys recommend another filter? stick to the generic OEM filters?

I dont know if I want to be sitting around trying to oil a filter, especially if there is no real benefit.......so keep the filter and buy the cleaning kit? screw the TRD filter and use the regular OEM filters with no oil needed OR Use another filter?

also how much oil do you guys put on these things? do you spray the oil on BOTH sides of the filters?

thanks for any advice or experience given..

**cruiserlarry** · 04-28-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

survivorman previously said:

OK guys and gals, I have the TRD air filter and have been doing some searching.....I was going to buy the cleaning kit, but wanted to hold off and get a few opinions on these.....are they worth the money?? do they help with increasing MPG?

I have seen where some people were having issues with the MAF sensors....is this from over oiling?? do you guys recommend another filter? stick to the generic OEM filters?

I dont know if I want to be sitting around trying to oil a filter, especially if there is no real benefit.......so keep the filter and buy the cleaning kit? screw the TRD filter and use the regular OEM filters with no oil needed OR Use another filter?

also how much oil do you guys put on these things? do you spray the oil on BOTH sides of the filters?

thanks for any advice or experience given..

Over-oiling is the most common mistake made when servicing oiled filters, and frequently fouls the MAF, resulting in a CEL and reduced performance. If you have a TRD intake, there are no "generic" filters - but it is made by AFE, so you can use the AFE Pro-Dry filter element from the AFE CAI, which requires no oiling ever. Just vacuum or wash it and reinstall it.

fj6high · 04-28-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

survivorman previously said:

OK guys and gals, I have the TRD air filter and have been doing some searching.....I was going to buy the cleaning kit, but wanted to hold off and get a few opinions on these.....are they worth the money?? do they help with increasing MPG?

I have seen where some people were having issues with the MAF sensors....is this from over oiling?? do you guys recommend another filter? stick to the generic OEM filters?

I dont know if I want to be sitting around trying to oil a filter, especially if there is no real benefit.......so keep the filter and buy the cleaning kit? screw the TRD filter and use the regular OEM filters with no oil needed OR Use another filter?

also how much oil do you guys put on these things? do you spray the oil on BOTH sides of the filters?

thanks for any advice or experience given..

I purchased the K&N drop in type OME from the dealership. I also purchased the regular replacement so when I wash clean, air dry and oil The K&N I can drive with the new OME. It's real easy and I like to keep my engine breathing clean air with low restriction! I wash it every oil change 3k and it collects alot of the finer particles. Just spray a little amount of oil to the outside of the filter the side the air is flowing in from. It will absorb in, just don't get tempted to smother it or you will set of the sensor. I felt the trottle response when I removed the stock unit the first time and replaced with the K&N so yes milege and HP improved just a little!

survivorman · 04-28-2008, 08:45 PM

I only have a TRD air filter........ok so what isa small amount of oil? one to 3 sprays...just enough to get the filter sprayed all over? and we just spray the side the air is coming in on correct? not both sides

**VooDude** · 04-28-2008, 08:57 PM

I had a K&N filter on my VW... caused me endless pain. It's really hard to tell if the filter is clean unless you actively clean it. what I mean, is that you have to run water though it to see how dirty it really is (other than big stuff). Long story short, my intake was basically clogged, air sucked in other places, engine ran really hot, burned up O2 sensors, to the tune of 1500 bucks for a new catalytic converter and all the work done.... That's when the FJ joined the family. I'm sticking to paper for this one. They're cheap, easy, and very easy to tell if they're dirty.