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DO THIS: --- First, inspect the vehicle for a reuseable aftermarket excessively oiled air filter
DO NOT DO THIS: --- DO NOT repair under warranty if concerns result from the use of a reuseable aftermarket oiled air filter
I was just reading through some of the Technical Service Bulletins through my AlldataDIY.com account for my Bonneville, and thought this one was pretty interesting considering I have some of those driveability concerns and also have a Drop-in K&N. Anyone else notice anything like this with their K&Ns?

Is there a way that the MAF can be cleaned? It it very easy to remove, but I just don't know if it is easily cleaned...

I can not speak from experience witht eh bonneville, however the folks in the thunderbird club i belong to have known about this kinda thing for several years. The fix is pretty simple. You take out the MAF sensor and use electrical cleaner on it. It should be (if it is the same as a Thunderbird) a thin filament with w small white area on it. If using the spray electrical cleaner doesn't get it completely clean you can usea qtip to help. But you have to be extremely careful not to break the filament or scrape the white surface off. I had some issues with my Tbird when I had it at the dyno. Put down something like 158hp inconsistently. Took it outside cleaned the MAF and put down 162 pretty consistenetly. Not much of a difference, but those are rear wheel numbers, so the actualy engine numbers would be slightly higher... Well worth a looksy to make sure you don't have that problem. Also something of a preventative measure. Next time you clean your K&N, oil it per the instructions and then shake it violently to get all the excess oil off of it prior to installing.

Sam

I have used K&N drop-ins on several different vehicles without incident, however, all of those vehicles have had a MAP sensor not a MAF. I'm thinking that this is the reason why I never had the issues. So long as I can clean it myself to see if that is the problem, I'm fine with it. I always apply just enough oil to coat the surface, never lather it on and I usually take my shop vac and suck any excess off (because I'm not a pro at oiling filters by any means). However, when I put in the K&N in my bonnie, I just put it in straight from the box. My issues started showing up not too long after I installed the filter.

Thanks

I have heard that the filters are over oiled from the factory, it has been so long since i have gotten one from the factory I can't say for sure, but the shaking the filter to remove excess oil seems to have worked in my Tbird. Hope cleaning it helps.

Sam

We've had a couple fail in this manner, for possibly this reason. When I clean and re-oil mine twice a year, I follow this procedure:

Put a lint-free absorbent rag INSIDE the filter while oiling the outside. Fill the entire filter with the rag. Let it sit for 3-4 hours. After the first day of running, remove the filter and look for any oil residue on the inside of the intake pipe. If you see any, carefully clean the MAF filaments with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip.

I just did this on Thursday again with good results.

I ran the drop in k&n for over 2 years with no issues, just recharge the filter as Willwren directs and you shouldnt either.