Posts
292
Joined
9/23/2019
Location
Loxley, AL, USA
Edited Date/Time
7/10/2026 9:03am
Is there an air filter oil that won’t drip? I switched from no toil to Maxima FFT due to oil leaking through my airbox and down my swing arm. Now the FFT oil is doing the same thing. I don’t think I’m over oiling the filter. But maybe I’m doing something wrong. I don’t ride as much as I would like these days. If the bike has sat for a while and I check the filter, it looks mostly white even though it was saturated when I installed the filter. The bottom of the filter ends up completely soaked and over oiled while the top is too dry. I try to let the filters sit out to let them “flash off” the solvents before installing.
Should I use a different oil or is there a different oiling method I should use?
Thanks
I have the same issue with no toil if the bike sits for a while. The oil starts to drip out the air filter box when the bike sits. I think the best thing to do in the future is to oil up a filter before you ride each time.
I recently switched to the no toil spray on in the can. It doesn't drip like the stuff in the bottle does.
Once you saturate the filter and wring out the excess oil, swing it around in the air before you install it on the cage.
Shake the bottle well to mix it thoroughly before using it might help.
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Don't over oil the filter!!!!
Bel Ray. Never drip.
I currently use and have used Maxima FFT for many years. I never have any drips. I would assume you may be over oiling the filter.
With any oil that has a thinner/carrier, you need to let it dry before installing on the bike. FFT and Twin Air oils are like water, Notoil slightly thicker. Belray is much thicker and the only air filter oil that I will oil up a filter and install right away. Notoil is also the only oil that I never leave set in the bike more than a few days before cleaning as it seems to never tack up like pretroleum based oils.
20’ish years with No Toil(Red) and never once had dirt pass or any drip/runoff in my airbox or air boot.
Maxima changed something with the FFT over the last few years. The blue dye turns purpleish then almost clear so it looks like there isn't oil on the filter, but it is still there.
I've had great luck with the Motorex filter oil and the cleaner.
Wesson oil and dawn dish soap
Do you squeeze it all through the filter or ring in through from the inside out? I let mine dry in the sun for an hour or so before I put it in and no drips.
Bel Ray is the only filter oil I will use. Even with that, I blot the excess out with clean paper towels and set it aside for an hour + or even overnight if I can.
I started to use the Maxima FFT this season as I was always a spray can user, but thought maybe this would be more economical since I replaced my filters after each ride, maybe twice in a day pending how dry the track is. I really like it and no mess. I just make sure I get all the excess oil off the filter and let it sit for about 5 minutes to set up. Seems to be working great.
I wonder how much the drip vs no drip is actually geographical. My garage in Texas can reach 105-110f in August.
Does heat make oil filter oil more prone to dripping over cooler areas? Is that why some people have issues while others do not?
It's kinda hot in my garage in Arizona. Bel Ray still the champ !
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