K&n Air filter

[silver337]

Is the difference with the K&N filter that much, it seems more than a little pricey.

[wiggydotcom]

Not sure if there's much difference in performance but you'll be done buying air filters. It pays for itself after the 3rd or fourth time you'd need a new disposable. I'm not glad I bought mine.

[98valk]

used oil analysis ALWAYS shows high dirt levels when a k&n air filter is used.
ww.bobistheoilguy.com

see air fliter test results, k&n lets in lots of dirt.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

[valky1500]

used oil analysis ALWAYS shows high dirt levels when a k&n air filter is used.
ww.bobistheoilguy.com

see air fliter test results, k&n lets in lots of dirt.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

That's a given for diesel motors.
All the K&N changes in a gas motor is the fuel air ratio and that can be easily fixed with a carb sync and the proper jetting. 

[Brian]

used oil analysis ALWAYS shows high dirt levels when a k&n air filter is used.
ww.bobistheoilguy.com

see air fliter test results, k&n lets in lots of dirt.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm


[/quote
Interesting article CA. I have a K&N in my Valk and my Tahoe. The only good thing about buying these is I picked them both up at good sales price. I am using the foam prefilter in the bike, how well that helps I can't answer that. I suppose our only test of dirt getting past the filter is to check what is clinging to the downstream sides of the airbox?

[MarcusS]

Look at the data in real terms. A 3% gain in filtering efficiency cost a 50% loss in airflow.  I have been using the K&N in gas and diesel. It gives about 1/2 to 1 MPG to the SUV and I dont know about the diesel as it has 160K miles and still gets 25-28 MPG  at 65MPH.
 At 75 MPG my truck avg 24.5 over a 1100 mile trip. ( 2005 Dodge 2500)

My bike had a K&N for its first 10 years then it was replaced when the foam started to rot. My car and truck filters do not have the foam cover.

Air is life for everything. Fuel volumns can be changed but air restrcition in and out of an engine cannot be fixed with a chip or needle set.

The report did not define the effect of the dirt in the oil.

[Ricky-D]

Well, the oil analysis reports don't indicate (say) dirt.

Usually it would be silicon.

Dirt is inferred from that item I would think.

Unless you can identify some other contributor of silicon.

***

[Brian]

Is this silicon or dirt getting past the piston rings. How else is the dirt getting in the oil from a low flow air filter? If this would be the case then a good quality oil filter should grab it, right. We have a vented crankcase to the airbox,right? This air box I would think is in a slight negative to neutral pressure with the engine running so I don't see the dirt being sucked in that way?

Wouldn't dirt be blown out with the exhaust or would it get baked on the tops of the pistons with the carbon build up?

[98valk]

Is this silicon or dirt getting past the piston rings. How else is the dirt getting in the oil from a low flow air filter? If this would be the case then a good quality oil filter should grab it, right. We have a vented crankcase to the airbox,right? This air box I would think is in a slight negative to neutral pressure with the engine running so I don't see the dirt being sucked in that way?

Wouldn't dirt be blown out with the exhaust or would it get baked on the tops of the pistons with the carbon build up?

http://www.oilguard.com/whareclpacs.html
http://forums.noria.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/938604995/m/334102788
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117009

[Ricky-D]

Is this silicon or dirt getting past the piston rings.

Yes.

That's the long and short of it!

Environment is a big factor.

Air cleaners play a large part in the total picture.

I wouldn't worry though, too much. At least until you start to get a couple or three hundred thousand on the odometer.

***

[Tx Bohemian]

Ok, got questions about these filters:

Has anybody ever seen the K&N filter display (the one with the ping-pong ball) when the K&N filter had the proper coating of oil on it?

Everyone I've seen had a regular paper filter, that blew the ball halfway up the tube, and a dry K&N filter that if there wasn't a stop on the tube the ball would fly through the roof!!

Maybe I'm wrong but wouldn't a coating of oil add some airflow restriction?

If you properly oiled the K&N would it still go through the roof??

[flcjr]

My expercience with k&n in chevy trucks is most do not know the proper way to clean and oil. The case is more times than not too much oil and it gets on the mass airflow meter causing driveabilty problems and transmission shitting problems as a result. I  tell people unless the want the headache of taking care of all the time to just buy a paper one. You would never feel a seat of the pants difference in the way engine runs anyhow.

[cookiedough]

I got a K&N air filter ONLY because Honda dealer had it in the clearance bin for like 50 bucks is all vs. I think around 30-35 for a Honda OEM air filter.  Otherwise, over 60 bucks and I'd just get the Honda OEM filter since should last 30K or 8-9 years whichever comes first.  My 01' I/S had the  original HOnda OEM air filter in it after 8 years but when bought it had only 15K on engine.  I changed it out since it needed it, but wasn't terrible yet.  Seat of pants felt NO difference in mpg or power.  Will check it again in another 7 years or somewhere around 30K miles from now.   

I also have a K&N air filter in my Arctic Cat ATV that gets REAL dusty after a few trips on the trails.  It is amazing when you rinse that out under water how much dirt comes out of it and have also heard k&n air filters not good for ATV's since are dustier riding and more particles come thru.  I clean it out and re-spray very lightly with spray oil every 5-8 outings or as needed.  It also has the K&N breathable nylon cover wrap over the K&N air filter otherwise my engine I think would be toast.

My other POlaris ATV has the polaris OEM air filter about 15 bucks or so and have to replace that every 2-3 years and tap it clean getting some particles out every year for sure. 

[Oklahoma_Valk]

I recently installed a KN filter with prefilter. Ive always loved KN filters.

Winter engine maintenance (which is FINALLY over):

KN Filter/prefilter
Complete carb clean/sync/rebuild w redeye tech kit.
Stock headers--->glasspacks--->truckstacks.

After doing all of this, it was very obvious that my bike was restricted before. It feels much smoother, and is more fluid when driving at HW speeds. It feels less congested. Not saying the filter alone made the big difference. Just saying I like the filter so far. My bike used to be happy at 65MPH. Now it's happiest at 75mph.


Oh...and it comes with 2 stickers! Take THAT oem filter lovers.

[Hoser]

My expercience with k&n in chevy trucks is most do not know the proper way to clean and oil. The case is more times than not too much oil and it gets on the mass airflow meter causing driveabilty problems and transmission shitting problems as a result. I  tell people unless the want the headache of taking care of all the time to just buy a paper one. You would never feel a seat of the pants difference in the way engine runs anyhow.

Nothing worse than a transmission that can't crap.  That can be a problem with humans, too.  Hoser