k&N Airfilter problem FYI

[5_19]

I have used a K&N airfilter for a while. My petcock started leaking fuel so when I had the tank of for the petcock rebuild I decided to clean and change oil on the air filter as well.  Noticed that the inside of the airbox is dusty, never had that problem with the OEM filter.
I never really like the idea of a K&N even although they increase airflow it's come at a cost. I believe the quality of the air suffers. Instead of using the K&N oil I used foam air filter oil from Amsoil. The stuff is awsome, got the filter soaked and blew air thru it with compressed air gun. I can feel the air coming thru and no oil on the back side.
Here's the problem: after I re-installing everything started bike runs terrible with black smoke like the choke is on ???. Not enough air to much fuel. Cleaned the filter used K&N oil this time everything is fine again.  

Ordered a OEM filter to replace the K&N. The inside of the airbox stays cleaner with OEM filter and the bike runs just fine.~TJ

[John Schmidt]

I've had the K&N for over 6 years with no prefilter, never had the "dusty" problem you describe. Makes me wonder if something is open....maybe one of the tube connections on the bottom of the airbox isn't in place. Was the bike desmoged and the one connection on the bottom not covered as required when removing the PAIR valves? Another possibility....are you using the OEM rubber gasket along with the K&N? Shouldn't be, the K&N has a lip on it that takes the place of that gasket. If used, that OEM airbox gasket in conjunction with the K&N will sometimes prevent the lid from sealing down all the way.

Just a couple ideas.

[fudgie]

It should be change/ oiled every year, more so in dusty conditions. I have used K&N for 50,000 miles and never had my box dusty. I have blown a little out of the prefilter but not much. Could it be that when the box was cleaned the static had some light dust stick to it? I also have one in my GMC 4x4 and it is also never dusty. I'm in the fields with it and the fields get very dusty with wheat and bean dust and in the spring when its tile fixn' time. I wash mine good and let it dry a day or 2. Oil and let it set awhile, then put back in the box.

[Chrisj CMA]

I have used a K&N airfilter for a while. My petcock started leaking fuel so when I had the tank of for the petcock rebuild I decided to clean and change oil on the air filter as well.  Noticed that the inside of the airbox is dusty, never had that problem with the OEM filter.
I never really like the idea of a K&N even although they increase airflow it's come at a cost. I believe the quality of the air suffers. Instead of using the K&N oil I used foam air filter oil from Amsoil. The stuff is awsome, got the filter soaked and blew air thru it with compressed air gun. I can feel the air coming thru and no oil on the back side.
Here's the problem: after I re-installing everything started bike runs terrible with black smoke like the choke is on ???. Not enough air to much fuel. Cleaned the filter used K&N oil this time everything is fine again.  

Ordered a OEM filter to replace the K&N. The inside of the airbox stays cleaner with OEM filter and the bike runs just fine.~TJ

When I got my K&N a mechanic told me NEVER to use compressed air as it destroys the fibers at the bottom of the folds of paper where the actual filtering happens........just sayin 

[Steve K (IA)]

When you used compressed air on it, you destroyed it.  Might as well throw it away, it's no good now.
 

[Tundra]

NEVER use compressed air...wash it gently, hose off (no nozzle), shake off excess water, air dry, re-oil and install.
  K&N sells a filter care service kit called the "recharger" part #99-5000. This kit includes the air filter cleaner and the air filter oil. Lasts quite a while, I've been using the same kit for 6 years on three vehicles. You can pick this up in any auto parts store, not specificaly bike related, just K&N related.

[98valk]

testing has proven that a k&n lets in a lot of dirt and dust even the SAE test shows that. K&N likes to claim the SAE test showing their filter stops 98%, the problem is they are quoting the end of the test when the filter is loaded up with dirt and the filter is just clogged. At the begining of the test it is letting in approx 75% of the test dirt. It is a race track item and should not be used on the street. I know there are naysayers and their butt dyno but the SAE test and oil analysis www.bobistheoilguy.com proves otherwise.
see the last link- The ISO 5011 Standard (formerly SAE J726) defines a precise filter test using precision measurements under controlled conditions. Very eye-opening
The stock airfilter allows in plenty of air esp. if the metal screen is removed and it will last longer than 12k miles on the verge of 36k based on documented reports on bobistheoilguy air filter forum.

http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/airfilter.html   here they used a patch of grease inside of the airbox to prove the dust test.

http://www.lubespecialist.com/airfilt.htm

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/01/airfilters/index.shtml

http://www.safari4x4.com.au/80scool/tech/filters.html

http://www.donaldson.com/en/index.html

http://www.baldwinfilter.com/

http://www.gadgetonline.com/airinduction.htm

http://vettenet.org/knfilter.html

http://www.seansa4page.com/resource/airfilter.html

http://www.seansa4page.com/frames/autotechmain.html

http://www.uti.com/~hoser/K%26N4.htm

http://uaf.com/   Good tech

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Air_filter.htm

http://www.ramair filters.com/frames.html   Click on filter facts

http://www.filtnews.com/

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi  Great oil and Air filter forums

http://www.dirtcheapracing.com/tech/airfilter/

http://www.bolhuijo.com/airflowtest/index.html

http://www.mcagraphix.com/filter/test.htm

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/customerassistance/faq/answers.cfm?uuid=00060D72 0093 1B8D BCF080C4A8F00000

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117009  
In the chart above it’s important to note the different test durations for each filter. The AC Delco filter test ran for 60 minutes before exceeding the restriction limit while the AMSOIL and K&N tests each ran for 20 and 24 minutes respectively before reaching max restriction. In 60 minutes the AC Filter accumulated 574gms of dirt and passed only 0.4gms. After only 24 minutes the K&N had accumulated 221gms of dirt but passed 7.0gms. Compared to the AC, the K&N “plugged up” nearly 3 times faster, passed 18 times more dirt and captured 37% less dirt. See the data tables for a complete summary of these comparisons.

[5_19]

Thanks for al the input y'all. I am going back to stock filters . Just change it regular and throw ( meant recycle) the old away and I'm done. No worries about cleaning, filtration, airflow, gaskets, compressed air and oiling etc. Again "Thanks You" for all the replies what a great site this is.~TJ

[Ricky-D]

Air filters mainly keeps the boulders out of the motor, just like oil filters.

Dust in my estimation is so light and fluffy that it passes clean on through the motor.

It's the particles like sand that can do the damage.  The stuff that doesn't burn in the heat of combustion.

Just sayin'

***

[98valk]

Air filters mainly keeps the boulders out of the motor, just like oil filters.

Dust in my estimation is so light and fluffy that it passes clean on through the motor.

It's the particles like sand that can do the damage.  The stuff that doesn't burn in the heat of combustion.

Just sayin'

***

that is old opinions from the '60s and not true according to latest research and SAE reports. The k&n lets larger than just dust, the micron size that can harm an engine  goes through into the cylinder, the dust is lighter and tends to stay in the airbox.
 do u post on wwwbobistheoilguy.com cause there was somebody saying the same things as u have and about oil filters also, over a yr ago until proven wrong by some of the tribologists that post there.

[KW]

CA,
I've never heard/read/seen the info you provided. . . . Thank you. It was all very interesting reading.  I would have to say, based on the information you listed, it seems pretty clear that the K&N does not filter the dirt & dust as well as some other types of filters. However, my question is; Are the dirt particals being allowed by the K&N within the engine manufacture exceptable tolerances? Also, you said it (K&N) should only be used "at the track." You're not suggesting that greater asperation at the intake doesn't potentially increase perforamce and isn't a good idea, are you? (assuming everything else is dialed in correctly)

Admitedly, I run K & N filters on every vehical I own. Two Bonnevilles, a Yukon, a 1969 GMC Stepside (402 BB) and my Valkyrie. I KNOW the claims of K & N are. . . .  honestly, ridiculous (I hope that doesn't start a flame.) Particularly claims of increased mileage. Having said that; there's NO QUESTION that I've experienced a noticable INCREASE in performance on all of the 4 wheel vehicles I've put the filter on. On the Bonnies, it's very slight. On the Yukon, it's huge. . .   With Valk, there is absolutely ZERO difference. There was NO increase in mileage on any of the vehicles. None.

Again, thanks for the info. Your name suggest you own or operate some type of perfoamnce shop?