Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) K & N Air Filter Grease

[rralph]

Howdy Guys, (and Gals)



I have a simple question, I need some advice on

recommended grease to use when servicing my K&N

air filter. I know that K&N provided sealant grease

with the filter, but I have been unable to locate

it. I am wonderng if any of my Cummins Diesel brothers out there can recommend a substitute, and

where I can get it.



Thanks in advance, you guys are great!

 

[LWINGATE]

I had the same problem. I used Dow Corning Compound 111, it appears to work just fine. It contains silicone,provides a moisture barrier and is non curring. Its temperature range is good from -40 to 400 F . I use it at work for quite a variety of things where you need a good seal on pressuized systems. Its listed as a Valve Lubricant & Sealant.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

For what it's worth, having carefully inspected the stock filter sealing area in my Dodge, I would strongly urge that sealing grease be used on ALL filters in our trucks, NOT just the K&N - I could easily see traces of dirt-tracking around the edges of the stocker - the same sort the K&N haters would be screaming about if they saw it on a K&N...

 

[PRout]

This is why alot of people have gone to the BHAF, after they finally realized the K&N is a gamble.

 

[illflem]

And the BHAF isn't? After hearing of a few failures I have to wonder...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Shortshift sez:



"This is why alot of people have gone to the BHAF, after they finally realized the K&N is a gamble.



Not sure what or who you are replying to?



What is the "THIS" in "This is why" you are commenting on?



If it was MY post immediately before yours where I pointed out the recommendation for additional sealing attention to ALL filters, not just the K&N's, that would HARDLY make the K&N any more of a "gamble" than a stocker, or OTHER aftermarket air filters - and for that matter, the BHAF has been noted to ocassionally leak dirt as well, if the SAME careful attention is not applied when the element is installed!



Let's NOT immediately knock the FILTERS - any of them - when there's a dern good possibility the FILTER itself is fine, and it's the INSTALLATION/installer that is the REAL problem!

 

[dan_gilson]

I found the stuff (Super Lube) that K&N supplied in the little tube with the filter. It was not easy to find but a local supplier had it in 3oz tubes (10x size) . I slathered it on and can get multiple uses out of it.



Super lub is really interesting stuff. It is essentially inert in that the safety data spec says that it can be used in food preparation equipment. The tube says it is USDA H-1 rated.



It is out there but you are probably not going to find it at Grand Auto or Pepboys.



It took me a hour plus of searching on the web and another hour of telephoning to find the supplier which I am not trying to remember who it was but can not. (Looks like I am going to have to go through this again when I need some more. ) I think I have a spare tube left.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"It is out there but you are probably not going to find it at Grand Auto or Pepboys. "



I haven't tried the places that sell the K&N filters and re-oiling kits, like Camping world, but maybe they sell the grease?



If not, rather than do a dance trying various random independent sources, why not simply get the stuff direct from K&N?

 

[PRout]

edited: Rebuttal removed. Have a good one guys. Youll learn.

 

[skerkvliet]

Shortshift, I'm with you! (part of the way I make a living is testing air and oil filters)

 

[BillGotthelf]

If you are talking grease that meets the govt standards for "edible" you cn get it from any supply house that sells ice cream soft serve machinery. Check your yellow pages. The grease is used in the machines to help the seals work better under low temps. Its kind of like vaseline.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well, let me tell what *I* have learned to date:



I ran a K&N for over 110,000 miles in 12 years on my '91 Dodge/Cummins 250 - about 1/3 of it towing our 5th wheel...



Oil analysis in the last 10,000 miles or so came back with EXCEPTIONALLY low Iron and silicon readings - the engine ran perfectly, and used no oil between changes - there was NO SIGN of dirt or "oily" residue to be seen in the intake tract, or anywhere on the turbo blades...



That isn't guesswork, anecdotal or advertising hype, it's what *I* personally, experienced! Now, the 120,000 miles or so I had on that truck when I sold it was obviously FAR below it's normal life expectancy - but do any of the rest of you REALLY wanna go on record as stating publicly, with absolutely NO DOUBT, that my engine woulda eventually failed early due to that nasty, evil 'ol K&N air filter?



Do ya, huh?



AND, if you DO, WHAT are ya gonna use as "fact" or actual test results to back it up?

 

[Crazy Horse]

Silicone grease is avaiable in any parts store and will work well in sealing your stock airbox.



Gary - KJ6Q - Your comment on using the grease on any stock airbox/filter combination is right on and good advice. I've seen dirty torbo wheel fins on 2 trucks now with under 10,000 miles. One with less than 1,500 miles on it.

 

[sdalton]

It is not being said that every stock box K&N Filter is bad. It is just being said that a great amount are bad. Mine wasnt worth a flip, and let in a lot of grit, even after sealing the edges. What a lot of BHAF owners have chosen to do is to take the side of caution. Which was to fix the problem before it reared its ugly head, and go with BHAF.