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Why would someone put automatic transmission fluid in the air box?

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Trekker, Nov 29, 2020.

  1. Nov 29, 2020 at 4:02 PM
    #1
    Trekker

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    Trekker [OP] Regular Member

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    I was checking my air filter today and in the bottom of the air box I saw a liquid. It wasn't enough to hydro-lock my vehicle, and it mopped up with just two paper towels. I don't think it was done out of malice, but I can't imagine why it is in there. The fluid was red, I guess its dex ll used in the power steering because that is also red.

    I know oil bath air cleaners were once a thing, but I don't think this would work like those. Is there any reason that someone would put transmission fluid in an air box?

    I've never heard of someone doing this, and I can't imagine how ATF would find its way into the bottom of my air box and not touch my air filter in the process too. This had to be someone's doing.
     
    Trekker, Nov 29, 2020
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  2. Nov 29, 2020 at 4:04 PM
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    SR5 Limited

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    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Could be K&N filter oil it’s red? I put coal in my air box once to help dry the air..:confused:
     
    SR5 Limited, Nov 29, 2020
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  3. Nov 29, 2020 at 4:05 PM
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    Other Scott

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    Other Scott New Member

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    Aliens......
     
    Other Scott, Nov 29, 2020
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  4. Nov 29, 2020 at 4:06 PM
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    SR5 Limited

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    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Maybe I should check mine........I haven’t opened the air box in over five years....
     
    SR5 Limited, Nov 29, 2020
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  5. Nov 29, 2020 at 5:10 PM
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    2Toys

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    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

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    Just going to ask a dumb question here... I have used K&N air filters in all of my vehicles for decades. The new filters always come saturated with so much oil that it always finds its way to the bottom of the airbox. We use K&N air filters on the inlets of some of our helicopters also, and the engine side is always wet with the red oil from the air filter. Is it possible that is what you are seeing?
     
    2Toys, Nov 29, 2020
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  6. Nov 29, 2020 at 6:31 PM
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    nimby

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    nimby in the drink

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    Yeah, this sounds like the most likely scenario to me.

    Extra K&N filter oil.
     
    nimby, Nov 29, 2020
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  7. Nov 29, 2020 at 10:48 PM
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    Trekker

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    Trekker [OP] Regular Member

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    Didn't know K&N saturated their filters in red oil but that make the most sense to me
     
    Trekker, Nov 29, 2020
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  8. Nov 30, 2020 at 12:09 AM
    #8
    flyinhoot

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    flyinhoot When in doubt, Throttle out.

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    After having to replace a mass airflow sensor on a tacoma and mustang I will never use K&N again. And yes it’s red oil from that filter. Do yourself a favor and chuck that thing in the trash.
     
    flyinhoot, Nov 30, 2020
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  9. Nov 30, 2020 at 9:14 AM
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    negusm

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    negusm New Member

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    Yeah, these filters are a known problem. Cause all kinds of MAF issues and get clogged.

    When you say you hydrolocked the motor...does it now need replacing?
     
    negusm, Nov 30, 2020
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  10. Nov 30, 2020 at 9:57 AM
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    Dillusion

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    Dillusion Resident A**h***

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    It didn't hydrolock his motor.
     
    Dillusion, Nov 30, 2020
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  11. Nov 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM
    #11
    negusm

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    negusm New Member

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    my bad...read it too quickly
     
    negusm, Nov 30, 2020
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  12. Nov 30, 2020 at 10:18 AM
    #12
    aroyalsfan

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    aroyalsfan The Owner

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    Yep swapped my old Lincoln with K&N, after cleaning and reoiling a year later it messed up my MAF sensor. I was really careful too and still over did it. Never again.
     
    aroyalsfan, Nov 30, 2020
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  13. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:52 AM
    #13
    negusm

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    negusm New Member

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    I always think about it and say, if that improved anything why wouldn't the car engineers do it?
     
    negusm, Nov 30, 2020
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  14. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:58 AM
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    Trekker

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    Trekker [OP] Regular Member

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    The K&N doesn't do a good job blocking particles.

    https://youtu.be/sJ3L-E-ufYo
     
    Trekker, Nov 30, 2020
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