I have an 07 TL base, it has 21K miles on it. I took it for it's third oil change this week and the shop manager comes to me with this oil caked, black air filter and says, this is your air filter we suggest you replace it. So I did it, but it got me thinking, I have never seen an oil filter that bad and 21K miles is not that much to put on an air filter.

So I think one of three things is going on, either there is something wrong with my car that is causing this, TL's naturally have a lot of crap in the filter, or these mf'ers sprayed oil on my air filter to make it look like that.

I really don't know what to think, which is why I'm here. Opinions and/or comments appreciated.

 

just change your own oil and air filter they must be the 2 easiest things to do.. problem solved

 

Do you drive in a particularly dirty area? That sounds a little too nasty to just be 21k miles.

 

I do not, and thats what I thought. When the guy brought it out I was like "wow" change that thing, but then I got to thinking....

Thats what I did when I was your age. My time is more valueable now.


It's not even the cost of it that worries me, if the car needs it, fine, what bothers me is I may be patronizing a dealership who is willing to do underhanded things in order to get me to spend a relatively minor amount of money.

 

Dirt/Dust, leaves, bugs, etc on the air filter --> Yes.

Oil --> No. Not on an '07 in good running order.


Checking the air filter is 5 mins/4 screws. Thats one AcuraZine post per 10,000 miles --> you got time.

 

I would think it takes more time to make an appointment, take it to the dealership, then wait. i hate when other people work on my car, unless if its somebody i trust.

but oil on the air filter is not normal...especially at just 21k miles

 

Hmmmm, how would oil get into an air filter in the first place? Unless your leaking oil near the intake, there should be no oil on the filter. If your leaking oil at only 21K miles, have it checked. You should be able to take a peak under the car and see if you see oil droplets hanging on the bottom of the plastic covers. If so, either you have a leak or they were really sloppy doing the oil change.

 

Making an appointment on the internet takes about 5 seconds, driving to the dealership is a hassle, but I bring an computer and either do work or play games while waiting, so no loss there. It's still a lot easier than jacking up the car, putting it on stands, laying on the ground underneath the car, and then trying to find somewhere to return the used oil. Sorry, it's just not something I feel like doing. I don't cut grass either.

As for checking the air filter, from now on I will be doing that myself, if for no other reason than to know whether or not they are cheating me.

So the real question is, what is the likelyhood that there is something wrong with my car, as opposed to them throwing some extra gunk on the filter? And how long are TL air filters supposed to last?

 

it's not out of the question that u would need an air filter change at 21k, but it doesn't seem like it should be that dirty unless u drive around really dusty areas all of the time. how did oil get onto the air filter though??

 

Normal air filter change interval is every 30K miles.

 

I really wish I had taken a closer look at the filter, but it was WAAYYY dirty and I was in my work clothes and didnt feel like getting any on me. Anyway, it LOOKED oily and caked with crap, but I do not know if it was actually oil. I will give it a couple weeks and take a look to see if there is any oil on it. There is definately NO oil dripping off the bottom of the car.

 

Since you're not in an unusually dirty area, I'm guessing that it's just some nasty filter they use to show people when they want to sell some parts and labor. Just keep an eye on it yourself every 7k miles or so and see what's really happening.