Like everything in life, this filter test wasn’t done right the first time. Nothing ever is. So, yes there will be more testing in the future. This testing will probably wait 18 months or so until I finish graduate school, move on to my new job and purchase a very mundane family oriented vehicle like a larger sedan or smaller SUV. The plan is to do the same type of testing, but with a few additions. The pressure drop testing will be done on the new vehicle with similar filters, but little about this test will change. It will verify the conclusions of the original test. The filtration testing will utilize a second catch filter again. This time the filters will be weighed before and after, both the primary filter being tested and the secondary catch filter. I will probably purchase an electronic scale that measure to 1/100th of a gram or better for this test. Objects will be weighed multiple times and an average taken. This will give a very good indication of how much dirt the filter is catching and how much is getting through and deposited on the secondary filter. This testing will take place in a different location than western WA state though as we will be moving next summer. I’m not sure where, as we’re gonna follow the best job offers. The test will also cover a higher duration mileage than the 500 miles of the first test, probably 5000 to coincide with oil changes. I’m also tempted to have used oil analysis performed showing the content of dirt in the oil.
There is one other test that will be performed as soon as a suitable air meter is located. I need a stock 5.0 MAF meter donated ’89-’93, or I need to purchase one cheap. K&N via e-mail has informed me that it is impossible to damage a MAF meter with oil. Their representative claims to have poured oil on a brand new one on their personal car, installed it and driven around. I want to see what happens for myself. I will happily douse a 5.0 MAF meter and go for a drive in my friend’s ’92 Mustang GT that I have been helping him maintain. We’ll see. I’ll be sure to scan the computer for codes before and after. Then the MAF meter will be removed, cleaned with electrical contact cleaner, and the experiment run again. According to the K&N rep, cleaning solves all the problems. Myself, I’m curious what will happen to an oil soaked MAF meter during the burn off cycle. I’m very disinclined to take their word for this based on the number of MAF TSBs at nhtsa.gov. I will however, conduct a test to verify the validity of the claim. Sounds like fun huh?
