Air Filters

[Spider]

Are baldwin or wix air filters comparable to the fleetguard I currently have?

[nukerj]

I use wix - never had an issue. I would just stay away from k&n - they let a lot of micro particles through

[hypoxia]

If it is an Ecolite filter it doesn't mater who you buy it from. Parker/Raycor makes it and everyone else buys them from Parker/Raycor and sticks their sticker on it.
https://www.parker.com/Literature/Ra...ITE_-_7656.pdf

[tom chelbana]

At both the Spartan and the Cummins seminar's at FMCA rally they are recommending replacing air filter ever year because the paper in the air cleaners is coming apart and getting in the turbo. On our 18 London Aire with the 605 X-15 engine we just installed a HD K&N air filter for 2 big reasons. Number one is that even when getting wet it won't come a part like the factory paper filters do. Number 2 is it can be serviced once a year and reinstalled for another year. Had the K&N filter on our 500 ISM Essex for over 10 years and 110K miles and was very pleased with it. Have K&N air filters on all our cars and tow vehicles too. Am sure there is going to be some others who are going to bring up why they don't use K&N filters but we have been getting good service from their air filter for over 20 years.

[skypilot_1]

I also have had K & N air filters on most of my vehicle for decades. The diesel filters are not paper and they are cleaned with water. The PPM by pass rating meets Cummins spec as well. Have had same K & N filter on three coaches to date. Its not about $$, its about catastrophic failure.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by nukerj

I use wix - never had an issue. I would just stay away from k&n - they let a lot of micro particles through

Hi nukerj,

You seem quite firm in your suggestion to stay away from K&N air cleaners.

I recently replaced my K-2 chassis OEM air cleaner with a paper element air cleaner. So, I've got almost a year before my next replacement.

Since my recent replacement, I have been considering using a K&N next year. The specs that I saw seemed to indicate that it was a suitable replacement. Although it's about 3 times more expensive than the paper element cleaners, since it's cleanable and, according to their literature, should last as long as 3 of the paper element filters, the cost seems to be about a "wash".

So, what am I missing?

I'm NOT trying to start any kind of an argument, I'm just trying to decide what's the best for my purpose.

Thanks for your insight.

Take care,
Stu

[Fiesta48]

My 4 year old 380 hp ISL air filter still looks brand new inside, I vacuum out yearly.
Also been using K&N filters for 40 years on many cars. No down stream dust. Saved me much, reduced maint, more power and economy.

[skypilot_1]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hi nukerj,

You seem quite firm in your suggestion to stay away from K&N air cleaners.

I recently replaced my K-2 chassis OEM air cleaner with a paper element air cleaner. So, I've got almost a year before my next replacement.

Since my recent replacement, I have been considering using a K&N next year. The specs that I saw seemed to indicate that it was a suitable replacement. Although it's about 3 times more expensive than the paper element cleaners, since it's cleanable and, according to their literature, should last as long as 3 of the paper element filters, the cost seems to be about a "wash".

So, what am I missing?

I'm NOT trying to start any kind of an argument, I'm just trying to decide what's the best for my purpose.

Thanks for your insight.

Take care,
Stu

Could you post the reference for that claim. Thanks

I found this on K & N web site:

"Unlike disposable filters which must be frequently replaced, K&N® High-Flow Air Filters™ are washable, reusable, and engineered to last for the life of your vehicle. Feel confident in your purchase with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty."

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

according to their literature, should last as long as 3 of the paper element filters

Originally Posted by skypilot_1

Could you post the reference for that claim. Thanks

I found this on K & N web site:

"Unlike disposable filters which must be frequently replaced, K&N® High-Flow Air Filters™ are washable, reusable, and engineered to last for the life of your vehicle. Feel confident in your purchase with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty."

Hi skypilot_1,

The K&N replacement air cleaner for my Spartan K-2 chassis with Cummins ISL 450 is the 38-2001R (https://www.knfilters.com/air-filter...ter-filter-hdt). The specifications listed for that air cleaner shows: Warranty 36 Months - 300,000 Miles

Spartan recommends replacing the paper elements annually. The paper air cleaner for my application costs about $100 (IIRC, my most recent was $114). The K&N 38-2001R lists for $338.99, roughly three times as expensive as the paper element air cleaners.

I don't see a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty for my air cleaner.

Take care,
Stu

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hi skypilot_1,



The K&N replacement air cleaner for my Spartan K-2 chassis with Cummins ISL 450 is the 38-2001R (https://www.knfilters.com/air-filter...ter-filter-hdt). The specifications listed for that air cleaner shows: Warranty36 Months - 300,000 Miles



Spartan recommends replacing the paper elements annually. The paper air cleaner for my application costs about $100 (IIRC, my most recent was $114). The K&N 38-2001R lists for $338.99, roughly three times as expensive as the paper element air cleaners.



I don't see a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty for my air cleaner.



Take care,

Stu

Plus don't forget that you'd be responsible for removing the filter, cleaning it and reinstalling it on a regular basis.

...... maintenance (or lack of) is the biggest drawback to have a "serviceable" filter.

I get that many people think it's the way to go, but I got other stuff to do than wash filters.
Peace!

[skypilot_1]

Well Stu, as I said in post #5 its not about the $$, but more about paper filter getting wet and going thru the turbo. But if you want to look at the $$ side, I figure Im about $700 a head with the K & N. I paid less than $200 bucks for it. Oh, did have to get a gal. of K & N cleaning fluid.

Keep the pointy end forward

P.S. Mack, For preventive maintenance....Im the only one I trust. When you take coach in for chassis lube, do you really think they make sure every zerk takes grease.

[96 Wideglide]

There was a member on the forum whom passed away recently, who was a Fleetguard filtration specialist.
Say's the last thing he would do to his Cummins turbo diesel engine, is install a K&N air filter!

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by skypilot_1

P.S. Mack, For preventive maintenance....Im the only one I trust. When you take coach in for chassis lube, do you really think they make sure every zerk takes grease.

The man who does my maintenance is the only SOB I trust. (me)

btw, I think if a air cleaner is/has gotten wet, my OCD would figure out a way to stop it, keep it from entering etc.
I see that here on this fourm, but I wouldn't accept it as normal or ok.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by mackwrench

Plus don't forget that you'd be responsible for removing the filter, cleaning it and reinstalling it on a regular basis.

...... maintenance (or lack of) is the biggest drawback to have a "serviceable" filter.

Hi mackwrench,

Actually, in my case, the ease of maintenance is exactly what interests me most about the K&N air cleaner.

The installation of my air cleaner makes removing and replacing the canister (recommended annually by Spartan) kind of a pain in the a$$. IF I went with the K&N, the canister replacement would be done only once. Subsequent servicing would only require removing, cleaning and replacing the washable filter element. That's a much easier task than removing and replacing the entire canister.

My biggest concern with the K&N is that there are several posters who seem to be adamantly opposed to the K&N because of poor filtration and others, equally adamant, who prefer the K&N because of superior filtration.

Others have suggested that any water damage to the paper element air cleaner could have catastrophic consequences. I get that. However, the location of the air intake and routing of the air duct make me believe that there's not a significant likelihood that will happen.

Take care,
Stu