dinan cold air intake question

taosx5 · #1 10-18-2009, 02:20 PM

Hey out there, does anyone know if I can use K&N filter oil on my Dinan Cold air intake? It is Sunday and I was doing some PM on my new to me X5. I have used many K&N filters on other vehicles and have the cleaner and filter oil but cannot contact Dinan to find out until tomorrow. So I have cleaned the filter and before putting it in was hoping to be able to use the K&N stuff. I searched the forums but did not find anything. Anyone???

Is there any maintenance on the Dinan mass air flow meter. My son told me a lot of guys get bad air flow readings if they don't clean the air flow meter but I looked at it and don't see what should be cleaned unless it just gets blown out with air. Thanks in advance.

doug

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taosx5 · #2 10-19-2009, 04:41 PM

Over the weekend I cleaned my dinan CAI filter and used some K&N oil on it. Since it was the weekend I was hesitant to drive it until I got the answer. No one responed to my question so I called Dinan today and sure enough they told me I could fry the MAF if I oiled the filter. The air filter resembles the K&N so I assumed cleaning and oiling was normal protocol. I also learned that the Dinan CAI filter is designed for 25K miles and then gets replaced (kinda disappointing since K&Ns can be used forever), so I ordered one today. I took the freshly oiled one off and re-cleaned. Once it dries I guess I will re-install and drive until the new one arrives.

I also learned that there is a special cleaner for the Dinan MAF meter. It supposedly is designed not to short out the contact sensors. Dinan told me that canned compressed air will work in a pinch to blow of dust and other particles off the sesors. Hope some one can use this knowledge in the future. A new Dinan MAF will cost about $400.

m5james · #3 10-20-2009, 04:27 PM

There are various aftermarket filters that are dry and don't require oil. Foam filters use a more gummy type substance, but also tend to flow more.

As for the $$Dinan$$ MAF, why would you have to replace the whole entire unit when it's just the sensor that needs replacing. E39 M5 guys have been able to use VW MAF sensors in the $80 price range, so I'd never consider replacing the whole thing. What else $$Dinan$$ have you done? If you haven't done the intake manifold, you can purchase one from ebay for under $50 and it's the exact same thing $$Dinan$$ charge thousands for.

taosx5 · #4 10-20-2009, 05:00 PM

M5James

I just bought this X5 a few months ago and it had 60K+ miles on it with the dinan stage II software, throttle body, CAI, MAF sensor, and strut brace. I am not all that familiar with it all and unaware of maintenance issues, costs, pitfalls, etc. I have picked up some good info on this forum but I will be honest I don't have that much experience with it.

I don't plan on spending any more on mods, it runs great as is. I did learn that the air filters are designed to be replaced at 25K miles and the dinan rep told me many people do oil their air filters and thus fry their MAF because the sensors short out from the oil that is blown thru the filter. Just passing on what the dinan rep told me.

m5james · #5 10-20-2009, 09:47 PM

Congrats on the new rig, especially w/ some decent mods. If you ever decide to finish the breathing upgrades, you can swap on the intake manifold from older V8's and get the same benefits for a fraction of the cost for the $$Dinan$$ unit, then you'd only need another software upgrade to complete the job.

Welcome to the forums, there is a lot of information on here. I always like to mention that www.e38.org will have a lot of the same maintenance information we need here. The M62 (non-VANOS) and M62TU (VANOS like you have) has been used in 540's and 740's for about 6yrs before the first X5 was ever made, so all the problems have been discovered, fixed and compiled already on the site.

Take care.

taosx5 · #6 10-21-2009, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the advise, much appreciated.

m5james · #7 10-21-2009, 11:20 AM

bsprtsgrp · #8 10-22-2009, 10:08 AM

The Dinan CAI Filters (Blue) are made by K&N. Dinan does not recommend cleaning & re-oiling (as you would a typical Red K&N Filter) because of the issues regarding fouling the MAF Sensor with the re-applied oil

Buy a new Dinan filter and save yourself a headache of a busted MAF Sensor. You should not have to replace the filter under 30k miles. If you live in dusty area get an air filter cover for the the Dinan filter.

taosx5 · #9 10-22-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsprtsgrp

The Dinan CAI Filters (Blue) are made by K&N. Dinan does not recommend cleaning & re-oiling (as you would a typical Red K&N Filter) because of the issues regarding fouling the MAF Sensor with the re-applied oil

Buy a new Dinan filter and save yourself a headache of a busted MAF Sensor. You should not have to replace the filter under 30k miles. If you live in dusty area get an air filter cover the the Dinan filter.

Thanks for the input. I ordered the new filter from dinan already. You have a nice X5, I would love to see it in person and take a ride. It would be a treat to see the difference from my wife's stock 4.4. You seem to be quite knowledgable about dinan mods. Do You know what the tiny filter (2" in diameter and 1" high) that sits below the air filter does? Does this one get replaced when you replace the air filter?

One last question that maybe you can help me with. I keep getting a "service engine" light that comes and goes. The previous owner told me that since the added the stage II mods it has always done it. This answer does not sit well and I believe it might have something to do with MAF sensor but the car runs great. To be honest I have not taken it in to find out what code is. I live two hours from the dealership and besides they charge over $50 just to find out what the code is. First and last time the wife's X5 SE light came on, I took it to dealer and it said the gas cap was not put on properly. So I am hesitant to take it in. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

bsprtsgrp · #10 10-22-2009, 10:41 AM

I believe it's also a Dinan (or K&N) filter for the recirculation pump valve. Depends on year/model if you have one.

My Service light has NEVER come on because of the Dinan mod's. Take it to the dealer or a local BMW shop and have them put it thru the OBD/DIS computer.

Search the threads here.....there is a wealth of information at your fingertips on this site, there a ton of bright people who own these vehicles and just about ANY issue with your X can be found here.

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