Ken4

Hi, Im into off-road buggies and truggies. Can anyone tell me if I can use something like thick gear oil (e.g. HD SAE90wt) to subsitute as air filter oil? What so special about RC air filter oil anyway?

Thanks for your replies.

laganm21

I would think to used more of a trans oil its sticky and thin 90w is way to thick

SManMTB

It needs to be sticky..... really sticky.

joydude630

How about a motor oil? If you squeeze the foam into the oil; then it would be sticky. Am I right?

SManMTB

Why try to save a few $$$ when a failure will cost you hundreds. Seriously, get some real air filter oil.

hilifemt

yeah no kidding. A little bottle from the hobby shop cost me a few bucks and last a long time, and that''s running my truck ALOT. If you want to save a little money, get some at a dirt bike shop. The oil needs to be sticky. If you are in a bind, I guess motor oil is better than nothing, but not worth the risk IMO

SManMTB

Getting nice RC stuff: $1500
Saving a few $$$ on filter oil: free
Blowing up engines left and right: PRICELESS!!!

Soothsayerman

Meh. the best period end of story is Marvel Mystery Oil that you can get at any autoparts store for dirt cheap.

joydude630

Where I stay there are 3-4 hobby shops and they always run out. I just have one bottle of mugen air filter oil left. Over here they do not have the marvel mystery oil. So you can say I am in a bind. I know I am risking the life of my engine; but I do need a substitute for my air filter oil.

SManMTB

Shop online.....

hollylx88

the oil''s there to trap fine dust particles. if you''re not running in extremely dusty areas you should be alright with motor oil. gear oil i''m sure is way too heavy. just clean the air filter often and it''ll be fine. if its dusty you''ll want to clean the air filter often anyways because with whatever oil you''re running, all the dust that gets caught in there starts to restrict airflow pretty quickly and effects performance.

joydude630

hollylx88 - I will be running in dusty conditions but not extreme conditions like eg: desert. Is it still ok?

stussman

I use auto trans oil. Use it for the filter and inside the engine. All good.

joydude630

Are you talking about the auto transmission fluid?

SManMTB

Why are you guys skimping on air filter oil?

stussman

Yes, auto trans fluid. After hearing that trans oil is the same as ARO a friend did some chemical test on ARO at his work and it tested almost the same as trans fluid he tested. Iam not saying use it, but i use it and it works fine for me.
I have the same problem as i drive to the LHS for ARO and they are out. I do shop online alot more now as sick of the 2 local LHS not having stock of basic items.

willienaylor

go to the closest dirt bike shop and buy foam filter oil. one can will last you a year and work better for the same price as a bottle from the hobby shop.