Here is a picture of my air filter. It isn't dirty from air going in. Instead, it's dirty from the engine side.

Can someone explain to me this phenomenon?

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/p2190096.jpg/

 

id say the filter its doing its job, to me it just looks like its trapped dirt that was pulled through the filter... unless you have some type of vac problem and some how getting oil into your intake?... i know on alot of cars that run rich if you pull off the intake manifold youll find alot of carbon build up inside.

 

There is a simple explanation, that is not the engine side. It might be the down side but the air goes up through the pleated side, then gets redirected down through the throttle body.

That is REALLY dirty though!

 

Lol.

 

Don't worry man I did a double take the first time too!

 

I am still curious what that black, greasy material is.

 

How long has it been in there

 

the filter was changed 6 months ago

 

bad pcv valve possibly?