Bye bye K&N...

[ltslimjim]

^I like your approach, I haven't liked the Si readings in my UOA so far, but I'm not automatically just going to trash the K&N just yet, though I'm leaning that way.

As for the pre-oiled Purolator, not offered in my app currently but will stay on the lookout for other apps.

 

[cp3]

OK, so it's been about a month and I've checked the tubes at least three times, the third being today. Unfortunately I have absolutely nothing to report. No oil, no dust, no fuel savings, no massive increase in power (not even from the butt dyno..lol). Oh no, wait, it sounds good!

And then I proceeded to remove it and drop the Wix back in that I took out. I'm not saying that it's bad or I don't like it but it just doesn't seem worth the worry and hassle. I can get Wix or Baldwin (recently found at a very good price) for around $10. At once a year I think I'll just stick with that.

Happy with the oil filters so far though!

 

[sm00thpapa]

I just recently put a K&N air filter in my Ascender. Guess I'll check it today, you guys got me worried now.

 

[TurboWagon]

I've had my Amsoil Ea filter in for 1000 miles now. It sounds just as cool as the K&N, but I'm confident it filters better. There are no holes that you can see in it when put up to a light.

My next (and first) UOA will be a good indicator of how it's working I think.I've got a 9,000 mile road trip that I'll be taking a sample of upon return.

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: sm00thpapa
I just recently put a K&N air filter in my Ascender. Guess I'll check it today, you guys got me worried now.


Like others have said, just the chance that it is not filtering as good isn't worth the worry for me.

 

[ltslimjim]

^Now, the only problem I'm having is deciding which filter is best for my app to get away from K&N.

I'm leaning towards a Napa Gold, as the Fram & Purolator offering are basic of the basics(no P1 or Fram Tough Guard for my app)...so, any other brands worth considering vs the Napa Gold?

EDIT: Apparently, the Fram offering is Extra Guard, "Extra Life" filter, link: http://www.framcatalog.com/PartDetailWindow.aspx?b=F&pn=CA7174

Still leaning towards Napa Gold, but I don't know which is better quite honestly. Another offering is an AC Delco here, http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=91463

 

[cp3]

The Wix/NAPA Golds or ACDelco are supposed to be ok. A lot of people seem to like OE air filters too. I have been running Wix for a couple years and have no complaints. Just found a local Baldwin dealer and I'm going to try their oil filters next OCIs and if all goes well I'll probably get their air filters in the spring too.

 

[ltslimjim]

I suppose the only reason I'd prefer actual OE is if the aftermarkets had problems sealing/seating inside the air box.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
The more I've read about K&N air filters, the less I like them. They let a lot of fine stuff through and that's the kind of stuff that does the most damage to an engine.
Any size particle does damage.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

I've Put hundereds of thousands of miles on K&N air filters. Never had a problem with MAF meters or anything of the like. It gets cleaned once a year.

 

[ifishinxs]

X2

 

[greg_J35]

I have noticed considerably less dust and oil in the intake system of the Accord vs the 2000 F150 application.
I recently cleaned the intake system and replaced the K&N with a Purolator Pure One on the F150. So far I haven't noticed any decrease in throttle response and the fuel mileage is 20 mpg. 30% city 70% highway driving.

 

[Lead Shoes]

After reading this thread I too went outside and found a fine dust all over the inside of my intake pipe from my K&N, I bought http://www.amazon.com/Wix-46277-Air-Filt...5819&sr=8-5 and got it with next day air...

now if I could only find a pure one 3inch inlet filter.. if anyone knows the part number to one, pm me please.

 

[ltslimjim]

^Which vehicle are you putting the Wix on and how? Aftermarket intake?

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: TurboWagon
So a few months back, and about 5,000 miles ago, I installed a new intake pipe, a new mass airflow sensor, and a K&N clamp-on filter. It was oiled from the factory and I did not add any more. I knew about all the claims of increased dust and all that, but I figured some people were overreacting or going with the mob mentality.

Today I decided to check up on things, so I un-clamped the filter and looked around. The inside portion of the filter was pretty clean, however, I wiped my finger across the MAF screen and my finger was turned pure brown/black by this fine particulate dust. It was like a powder just coating everything.

I haven't driven through any crazy dust storms, just typical highway driving for the most part.

After doing some searches here, I bought an Amsoil Ea clamp-on filter. From the info I've gathered, they are not quite as "performance" oriented as much as they are designed to catch a lot of dirt. I should be getting it Wednesday, and I'll see how it does over my 9-10,000 mile trip coming up soon!

Alaska or bust!


I just had the exact opposite experience from yours, I installed my K&N filter on my Silverado in 08, i have opened the air box on many OCI's and inspected it. last weekend i tore down all the intake plumbing, and inspected it all, the outside of the filter was dirty as expected, the bottom side was perfect. my MAF was Perfect, all the insides of my plumbing, past the filter were spotless, looked like they were fresh out of a box never used. I did the same as you and did the "white glove test" only with a clean paper towel on the screen of my MAF. NOTHING... Im sorry you had a poor experience, you did mention your running a aftermarket pipe and a CAI correct ? I used to run them too, but as filthy as the underside of my hood can get, i knew not having a (filter in box) was just one less piece of protection. I wont run a CAI now as i live down a gravel/dusty county road, and my private drive is 1/8 of a mile of dusty gravel as well.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Also, im not saying K&N filters are fantastic (i only use them so i dont have to replace paper $$) Ive used them in 4-5 different autos over the past 20 years, just never had a problem and wanted to share my experience. I will trade my truck in for another in another 6-8 years and i will drop another $40-$50 K&N in it, and save $20 a year on paper filter till my next truck after that..

 

[CBR.worm]

I have had a few bad K&N AF experiences with bikes. All ended up with sand getting into the intake tract and pitting the valve seats. On one bike they worked fine.

They may work better in some applications, but I won't use them anymore. My G35 had a single UOA with high silicon, just happened to be after a run with the K&N, I went back to non-gauze.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

I tore my wifes v6 accord plumbing down and cleaned the intake and inspected everything, I found what i think your refering too, on the 07 accord there isnt a inline MAF, but i did do the papertowel test wipeing down the inner walls of the plumbing.. very very fine dark colored dust instide. We purchased the car in 09 used with 44,000 on the clock and ive never done this inspection before (the car now has 69,xxx on it) i cant blame the K&N filter but i am suspect on this dirt.. its so very very fine unless i took a cloth to it i would have never detected it with the naked eye. the only option i see to disprove or prove the K&N's fault is to buy a paper filter, clean all the plumbing to perfect and start over.. process of elemination..

 

[ltslimjim]

^Yes, the way to do it is drive with it cleaned up like you have apparently, with K&N still, and do another wipe down after say 5,000-10,000 somewhere there, then wipe down and see if there is a difference from now to then. After that, clean and install instead a paper replacement filter of choice for the same mileage and see if it's better or worse than the previous time over the same number of miles.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Just replaced my K&N last night with a Purolator Paper filter. After I took the K&N off last night I inspected and wiped down the air inlet tube. And to my surpise it was as clean as it was before I put the K&N in. So I would say it did it's job well and filtered everyhting that came it's way. Mind you I only ran this K&N for 5,000 miles. I may put it back in when it's time to replace the Purolator filter. I did notice while the K&N was in, it had a better pick up feel and more responsive throttle.