Air filter oiling dilema - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

red08420 · 09-07-2010, 09:25 AM

I got a new uni filter and outerwear with my 400ex that the guy had but never used. I've never liked oiling filters, it's such a critical job that I always 2nd guess myself even though I've probably done it like 100-200 times. I never feel like I achieve the PERFECT balance of flow and filtration, always a little to either side. From what I have on hand, what type of oil do you guys like best?

A.) Spectro filter oil (the blue super tacky-stringy kind), my KTM never ran good with this, seemed too restrictive.

B.) Motor oil, I got every weight and several brands. This is the old stand-by, never hurt me before except the oil runs out and into your airbox/intake.

C.) Stihl bar and chain lube, never tried it but it seems like a good medium

D.) Maybe a combo of light motor oil squeezed out thoroughly and then a thin layer of Spectro on the outside?

2003 foreman es · 09-07-2010, 10:21 AM

D. Thats my final answer...

Kipes · 09-07-2010, 10:23 AM

I here a lot of good things about Klotz air filter oil, me myself never oil the air filter, I rinse mine in fuel oil and leave it a little bit wet, Im not saying its the right thing but thats what I do and it works for me.

**toodeep** · 09-07-2010, 10:46 AM

In the old days they recommended 80-90 gear oil on them, now they have oils designed for them. I'm one of those Klotz guys, it's easy to use in the aerosol can and traps all the fine dust and makes it water resistant (big thing for me when water riding). I've been using it for years and really like it. I've also used bel-ray, Honda products and of course 80-90 back in the day. Any oil is better than no oil, if you seen what the fine dust particles do to a motor anyone would agree.

red08420 · 09-07-2010, 11:02 AM

I'm kinda curious about the bar and chain lube idea, it's right in between the super tacky stuff and motor oil. It seems like it should have good "cling" properties and not run out. I wonder if it is safe to ingest (into the motor), will small amounts burn up cleanly, etc ?
Does anybody have any experience with using bar and chain lube on their filter? I saw that a couple chainsaw manufacturers recommended it.

ole_smokey_88 · 09-29-2010, 04:24 PM

now i dont know if this is right or not but this is what i have always done i use 20-50 bel ray motor oil on mine i have a little lid on it and i pour it out in one big spot roll the filter around in it and then massage it in with my hands have done it this way since i started riding when i was 5 never had any trouble

wydglide · 09-30-2010, 05:12 AM

would you guys suggest cleaning these Original air filters or buying new ones and oiling them up........?

For the life of me I keep forgetting to clean/change them, which is basic tune up 101 & I know to do this! dont know why I cant remember to do it!

just made myself a Huge... clean filters sign!

Dawg Fan · 09-30-2010, 08:42 AM

buy a K&N filter cleaning kit.....it has everything you'll need in it for around $16.00

red08420 · 09-30-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wydglide

would you guys suggest cleaning these Original air filters or buying new ones and oiling them up........?

For the life of me I keep forgetting to clean/change them, which is basic tune up 101 & I know to do this! dont know why I cant remember to do it!

just made myself a Huge... clean filters sign!

Just get a new stock filter, I like them because they come pre oiled so you know they're exactly right. And they're only $20. I ran mine on my 420 from 0-150 hours and then just replaced it. You're not really gonna save anything by cleaning it on this type of vehicle, maybe $200 over the life of your machine. Personally, I think I'll get >$200 worth of extra life by replacing them. Now if you're riding a 250 smoker or racing or something then I clean mine after every ride and then it does pay off to clean them.

BAR LUBE UPDATE:

As far as the bar and chain lube, I tried it on my 400ex with a new UNI and outerwear. Looks like I started this post on 9-7. I put the Stihl bar oil on that day and rode it for ~2hours. Then it sat until yesterday (9-29). The clear debris/water catcher was completely filled with bar oil. Also it took a good bit of cranking to start, but it could have just been a fueling issue bc it sat so long, but it fired up and ran like normal, no ill running, fouled plug, sputtering, etc. So it appears that bar lube will run out much like motor oil. However, this could have just been excess. It took ~4-5 oz applied to the filter to get to where I could even squeeze out any excess, it has only drained about 1-2 oz. So final conclusion: Bar oil works about like motor oil but has slightly better anti-drain characteristics.

wydglide · 09-30-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red08420

Just get a new stock filter, I like them because they come pre oiled so you know they're exactly right. And they're only $20. I ran mine on my 420 from 0-150 hours and then just replaced it. You're not really gonna save anything by cleaning it on this type of vehicle, maybe $200 over the life of your machine. Personally, I think I'll get >$200 worth of extra life by replacing them. Now if you're riding a 250 smoker or racing or something then I clean mine after every ride and then it does pay off to clean them.

BAR LUBE UPDATE:

As far as the bar and chain lube, I tried it on my 400ex with a new UNI and outerwear. Looks like I started this post on 9-7. I put the Stihl bar oil on that day and rode it for ~2hours. Then it sat until yesterday (9-29). The clear debris/water catcher was completely filled with bar oil. Also it took a good bit of cranking to start, but it could have just been a fueling issue bc it sat so long, but it fired up and ran like normal, no ill running, fouled plug, sputtering, etc. So it appears that bar lube will run out much like motor oil. However, this could have just been excess. It took ~4-5 oz applied to the filter to get to where I could even squeeze out any excess, it has only drained about 1-2 oz. So final conclusion: Bar oil works about like motor oil but has slightly better anti-drain characteristics.

That was a Good Sound post.....makes all the sense in the world, as I was leaning at just buying new filters anyways....But I didn't know they were pre-oiled....its a Deal maker for me!

that's why I like this site so much somebody always comes up with a Logical answer!

Respects & Thanks
Glide

09-07-2010, 09:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
red08420 Honda Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 236	Air filter oiling dilema I got a new uni filter and outerwear with my 400ex that the guy had but never used. I've never liked oiling filters, it's such a critical job that I always 2nd guess myself even though I've probably done it like 100-200 times. I never feel like I achieve the PERFECT balance of flow and filtration, always a little to either side. From what I have on hand, what type of oil do you guys like best? A.) Spectro filter oil (the blue super tacky-stringy kind), my KTM never ran good with this, seemed too restrictive. B.) Motor oil, I got every weight and several brands. This is the old stand-by, never hurt me before except the oil runs out and into your airbox/intake. C.) Stihl bar and chain lube, never tried it but it seems like a good medium D.) Maybe a combo of light motor oil squeezed out thoroughly and then a thin layer of Spectro on the outside? __________________ 2008 TRX 420 FM -winch -auxiliary front and rear lights -dog water and bowl -chainsaw 2003 TRX 400 EX -Full aluminum skidplates, nerfs, bumpers -Pro Taper bars & clamps, G2 handguards -Supersprox sprockets, gold RK -Razrs

09-07-2010, 10:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
2003 foreman es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Motor City Posts: 3,687	D. Thats my final answer... __________________ 03 Foreman ES Too much to list...

09-07-2010, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kipes Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: May 2009 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Posts: 2,105	I here a lot of good things about Klotz air filter oil, me myself never oil the air filter, I rinse mine in fuel oil and leave it a little bit wet, Im not saying its the right thing but thats what I do and it works for me. __________________ 2006 Foreman 4x4 500s Powermadd handguards 2.5 Warn winch 2" Perfex long travel lift kit High Lifter springs 26-12-12 Executioners on rear 26-10-12 Executioners on front Douglas Rattlesnake rims 3rd Headlight switch Moose Heated Handgrips and thumb warmer Garmin Legend gps Replaced the stock silver engine covers and front skid plate with 07 camo black and painted front brush guard black 2005 Rancher 350ES 2wd 2001 Polaris 325 Trailboss 2wd 1989 300 Foretrax 2wd

09-07-2010, 11:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
red08420 Honda Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 236	I'm kinda curious about the bar and chain lube idea, it's right in between the super tacky stuff and motor oil. It seems like it should have good "cling" properties and not run out. I wonder if it is safe to ingest (into the motor), will small amounts burn up cleanly, etc ? Does anybody have any experience with using bar and chain lube on their filter? I saw that a couple chainsaw manufacturers recommended it. __________________ 2008 TRX 420 FM -winch -auxiliary front and rear lights -dog water and bowl -chainsaw 2003 TRX 400 EX -Full aluminum skidplates, nerfs, bumpers -Pro Taper bars & clamps, G2 handguards -Supersprox sprockets, gold RK -Razrs

09-29-2010, 04:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
ole_smokey_88 Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: East Tn Posts: 592	now i dont know if this is right or not but this is what i have always done i use 20-50 bel ray motor oil on mine i have a little lid on it and i pour it out in one big spot roll the filter around in it and then massage it in with my hands have done it this way since i started riding when i was 5 never had any trouble __________________ 2009 500 foreman "thundercolt" 27x10-12 executioners all the way around full snorkel exhaust and intake 2 inch ssatv lift ammo can storage devices 3000# pro mark winch itp wheels brier guards homemade audiopipe euro taillight uni air filter jet kit custom skids carb mod

09-07-2010, 10:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
toodeep Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south dakota Posts: 6,427	In the old days they recommended 80-90 gear oil on them, now they have oils designed for them. I'm one of those Klotz guys, it's easy to use in the aerosol can and traps all the fine dust and makes it water resistant (big thing for me when water riding). I've been using it for years and really like it. I've also used bel-ray, Honda products and of course 80-90 back in the day. Any oil is better than no oil, if you seen what the fine dust particles do to a motor anyone would agree.

09-30-2010, 05:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
wydglide Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: your Nightmares Posts: 5,171	would you guys suggest cleaning these Original air filters or buying new ones and oiling them up........? For the life of me I keep forgetting to clean/change them, which is basic tune up 101 & I know to do this! dont know why I cant remember to do it! just made myself a Huge... clean filters sign! __________________ P.M. Campbell Co Lodge #778 99Yamaha Wolverine 06 Foreman TRX500 09 Foreman TRX500 25" Big Horn's Mad Dog Rear Bag Body Armor Bash Plate Gamin 76CSx GPS, W/RAM Mount Warn XT25 conversion to XT30 Glide Build Audio System I'm not Frugal, I'm a COB...(Cheap old B@stard)

09-30-2010, 08:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dawg Fan Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 625	buy a K&N filter cleaning kit.....it has everything you'll need in it for around $16.00 __________________ 09' Foreman Half Camo / Half Tan Color 28" Outlaws 1-1/2" wheel spacers 2" Perfex Long Arm Travel Lift HMF Utility Exhaust Dyno Jet Kit K&n Filter and Outerware Home Depot Snorkle

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