Since I installed my new OEM air filter in my 05 (47k miles) and I noticed a slight drop in power. It seemed to lag/hesitate a bit in the low end, and lack a bit of top end too during a spirited test drive. Perhaps it's just the oil in 1st stage of the filter getting situated, or maybe the ECU needs a little time to adjust to the new flow at WOT. Has anybody else experienced this before?

I did notice that the oiled side of the filter was blue, while the old one was green. I'm just wondering if maybe Honda has changed the filter along the way (but not the part number)?

I don't know if my original filter had all 47k miles on it, but I do know I bought it at 20k miles and never changed it till now

 

Get a K&N hi flow drop in filter.

much better than oem filter. Or go with a CAI.

 

No, I'm not interested in performance filters & intakes. I have a Civic racer for that. I'm just looking to see if anybody has experienced anything similar or has any other theories.

Thanks anyways...

 

is the cover on correctly- sealed tight?
Filter should only fit one way- but....
acura makes an oiled filter? gen3 gets all the cool stuff

 

Once upon a time, I noticed my power wasn't quite up to standard. When changing the air filter, I noticed the big hose clamp on the air intake connecting to the manifold was loose, probably from prior air filter changes when I wiggled the assembly to get the cover up beyond the fender. Tightened the clamp, problem solved.
.
.

 

thanks DMZ- I wasnt clear on what people need to inspect when I said `on correctly`
Those hose clamps have been left loose on more than one car,
Ive found it on many cars that just got an air filter installed at a shop/quiklube and didnt run right/low power
Be sure the filter is sitting correctly in its groove- the seal is intact, not torn or loose at a corner and use a decent filter- so it has a good sealing rubber

As I always say- suspect and inspect the last work done to the car

 

Well I checked, and the hose clamps and filter look very secure. I pulled the filter out and set it on some newspaper to wick up a bit of the excess oil from the 1st stage element. We'll see if that helps. I've had to do similar things with over-oiled K&N filters before. I'm not too worried cause I don't mind sacrificing a little power for good filtration (as long as I can still manage 31mpg).

On a side note, does anybody have any tips for pulling the battery wire clips off the air-box? I've tried to slide them out the side, but they simply won't budge. I can get the filter out without removing them, it's just a PITA to do.

 

pull upwards on the clips and they should come right out!

 

Kinda sounds like the element has too much oil in/on it to me.... In my experience you have to oil the element just a bit at a time & let capillary action take its course until it's the right color, instead of just globbing it on all at once.

 

CAI isn't so much a performance filter, It actually improves gas milage.

 

That's because the filters don't filter as well, so the motor doesn't pump as hard. Everyone knows this and it's a common fact. Sacrificing filtration efficiency for added power and/or mileage would indeed be a performance mod. It's performance over longevity.

 

I was surprised just how much oil was pulled out. I folded a couple pieces of newspaper into long strips so the filter media would lay directly against them. After it sat an hour or so, I switched out to some fresh pieces (old ones were pretty oil soaked). After doing this 3 times, I reinstalled and went for a drive. Power & sound seem back to normal...

So the conclusion of my thread is this: It seems a good idea to wick some of the excess oil out of new OEM air filters before installing them. I will be doing this from now on...

 

To clean up any residue inside the TB thats sticking to the TB plate- spray carb cleaner or deep creep on the plate--liberally and wipe up runoff
Turn key to ON position to make the plate open and close in a self test- so you can spray the edges and back of the plate

This needs to be done more than people think and its not on any maitenance list

 

When did Acura switch to oiled OEM filters?

 

Well at least since the 04 TL came out. White 2nd stage side is dry, and the green or blue 1st stage side is oiled. This is really old news guys...