K and N Air Filter

coolrosie · 11-30-2008, 08:29 PM

Are there any benefits to using a K&N Air Filter and where can I find out information on the benefits? Has anyone used them and are there worth the cost? Where is the cheepest place to buy it> Thanks

coolrosie · 11-30-2008, 08:29 PM

Are there any benefits to using a K&N Air Filter and where can I find out information on the benefits? Has anyone used them and are there worth the cost? Where is the cheepest place to buy it> Thanks

**RV Wizard** · 11-30-2008, 11:47 PM

The more you need to filter the air the more cost effective they will be since they are washable and reusable. Other benefits are more airflow through it than conventional paper filters. This can increase horsepower and fuel mileage slightly. They are being sold in more and more places. Depending on the vehicle and/or engine you might be able to even find it at Walmart. Contact K & N for a dealer locater.

Clay L · 12-01-2008, 07:33 AM

You can see the results of some testing HERE

It doesn't look very favorable.

JerryForwood · 12-01-2008, 08:06 AM

Stick with the OEM units. IMO. The K&N aren't worth the money or the extra labor to keep them in proper operating condition. If you don't clean and re-oil them right, you will ruin your fuel mixture due to restricting the air intake with too much oil or allow harmful dirt into your engine by not using enough.
JMHO!!
Jerry

LVJ58 · 12-01-2008, 08:23 AM

coolrosie, you will get many responses to your inquiry both positive and negative.

When I had the Banks performance system installed on our coach it came with the K&N filter.

All I can say, in 59,000 miles we've never experienced any negative issues with the K&N filter such as some will cite, contaminated mass air flow sensors.

I recently removed and checked my MAS and found no oil or other contamination on it, however while I had it out, I ran an alcohol soaked Q-Tip over the sensor just as a precaution.

You will not realize any increase in performance and they are a bit pricey. The only advantage is that they are reusable. I cleaned and re-oiled mine at about 48,000 miles.

As Jerry mentioned it is critical when cleaning and re-oiling them that you make sure you get them clean and not over-oil the filter.

I would say for most folks, just stay with the conventional paper filters, and depending on dusty conditions you drive in, change them out around 7 to 10,000 miles.

Good luck & Happy Holidays

Rick & Hope · 12-01-2008, 08:26 AM

Clay those results show the same thing we found on our fleet. Our oil analyzes with K&N air filters showed high silica content (sand) in the oil sample that we sent in. We went back to OEM filters and the samples came back normal.

LVJ58 · 12-01-2008, 10:12 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Clay those results show the same thing we found on our fleet. Our oil analyzes with K&N air filters showed high silica content (sand) in the oil sample that we sent in. We went back to OEM filters and the samples came back normal. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well I would say that's great news and even more justification for folks to stay with their OEM filters.

CJBROWN · 12-01-2008, 08:38 PM

K&N's will pass more dirt, in direct comparisons to other brands. AC Delco paper filters pass as much air, pass much less dirt, and last just as long. Amsoil EA filters also work well but are quite expensive. AFE are better than K&N, but don't work any better than a AC Delco stock paper.

An improperly oiled gauze type filter can result in oil on your MAF sensor. DON'T CLEAN a MAF sensor WITH ALCOHOL AND A Q-TIP. Get some MAF cleaner from your local auto supply and spray them off - NEVER TOUCH THEM.

TXiceman · 12-02-2008, 02:58 AM

There has been considerable talk about the K&N filters on the Ford diesel forums and the general thought is nopt to use them if you value your engine. If not properly oiled, they will let dirt past and if over oiled, mess up the MAF.

Ken

Ray,IN · 12-02-2008, 04:58 AM

The study says it all. There is only one way to increase air flow through the same size plenum at the same intake pressure, reduce restriction(larger openings in filter media)! I used a K&N air filter on my old Dodge CTD, until that time the downstream plenum remained clean and dry, after a few years it was oily and dirty. Wonder why?

FrontRangeRVer · 12-03-2008, 11:09 AM

There have been several magazine tests on the K&N. They saw no difference in power of dyno's or in fuel economy, but over 1/2 the people driving the vehicles before and after reported "feeling more power" with the K&N. This was attributed in all the tests to the fact the K&N filter was not silenced like the OEM paper filters; and the louder noise equated to more power.

Some complete inlet and filter applications did show some power increases, BUT in all cases it was found to be the inlet tubing differences where the K&N tubing was routed from some where the air temp at the inlet was lower than the stock location.

So just rerouting the inlet tubing for cooler air will give the same increases as spending the money on the K&N setup.

On a personal note, I wouldn't have one of these on my motorhome as I value the engine too much. Clay L also beat me to the report I was going to post.

Tom N · 12-03-2008, 01:30 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FrontRangeRVer:
There have been several magazine tests on the K&N. They saw no difference in power of dyno's or in fuel economy, but over 1/2 the people driving the vehicles before and after reported "feeling more power" with the K&N. This was attributed in all the tests to the fact the K&N filter was not silenced like the OEM paper filters; and the louder noise equated to more power.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ahhhhhh......the "butt dyno" effect! The "butt dyno" is often cited to prove an engine mod is worthy of the dollars invested.

-Tom