Filter oil

[Duster]

Lots of views.... and only a couple of opinions posted.

Anyone else?



And yeah, I know I am the only rare bird to think about these sorts of things... LOL...
But if I don't see a solution "inside the box" I get out of it and go hunting some possible solutions.

[Duster]

Well... I happened to be by the Honda joint today...

And low and behold there was a can of Maxima Fab-1...

So that is what I am going to try... when I get a chance.
Might help, might not... we'll find out.

[Duster]

Well, I am kind of impressed with this Maxima FAB-1 filter oil so far.
I was surprised how sticky it was coming out of an aerosol can.
I bet it's really something on a deep foam filter.

Application to a K&N style filter is a bit of a challenge though.
And the deeper the pleats the bigger the challenge.
It seems to be fine for both filter types.
But I think you have to look at the oiling of the pleated filters like a great paint job.
It's not going to be one coat and done.

I believe it is going to take 3 coats for me on the first try to get perfect even coverage on every microscopic area of the media. Might take more on a deeper pleat.

If it ever stops raining and drys up I'll put this combo to the test on 2 machines.
If it fails, it will not be because of the filter oil quality though.
It will be the fault of the tiny media depth.


In the end though, I do now wonder what the flow of the element will be like...
And what filter cleanup will be like...

[Duster]

The Maxima FAB-1 oil seems to be stopping the dust well so far... really covering the shortcomings of the element.

However, it is absolutely NOT at all waterproof as "claimed" by Maxima.
It's not even water resistant, not even a little.


I will keep using it on the K&N for the 400EX until it's gone... since the 400EX box is snorkled.
Once the can is empty I will throw the K&N and the empty can in the trash.

[Duster]

Well, I have to issue a retraction on my statements...

At this point I must say I can no longer say anything negative about the FAB-1 filter oil.


I put it through some very harsh testing in use on K&N elements.

I had issues eventually with it passing water, mud, and also eventually dust.
But after further review and more checking things I have figured out....


This oil is actually VERY water resistant it turns out... and very good at catching dust.


Truth of the matter I found out is that my experiences were due to shortcomings of the filter elements... not the oil.

For dust, they do not provide ample media depth for trapping.
I mean it will work perfectly for a few hours....
Then it will gradually start to fail and pass dust.
The pores are too large and the depth is too shallow to provide lasting protection as air continues to pass through.


For water, I just did some flat out "dunk tests" in a sink.
Doing so, I found the 2 causes for passing water/muddy water...

In operation on the bike, the reason I saw passing of muddy water was... one, muddy water landing on and standing in the pleats without me knowing while the engine ran. And secondly, water just flat out passes at the ends of the element... where the cotton gauze is connected to the end caps.

Apparently the gauze gets contaminated right at the edge where it is inserted into the hot glue or melted plastic or whatever the process is.... and the contaminated fringes are unable to absorb any oil.

If I can just get this video upload to work, I'll let you SEE instead of read.