K&N Air Filter Cleaning
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: So Cali
I was kinda pounding the filter on the ground to dislodge the loose bigger particles. I then realized that you need to tap not pound it cuz I saw some bending of the elements afterwards. I just bent them back to shape
It kinda felt like more than a little bit more air flow regardless, it's noticeable change.
It kinda felt like more than a little bit more air flow regardless, it's noticeable change.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 1
From: DE <---> NY
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: California
Nope. Not scammed here. I gained 2mpg with the K&N filter, and that's with constant result. All variables are kept as constant as possible. Same driving habit, same gas, same weather, same everything else.
My car is getting better gas mileage with the K&N. Surely, if the K&N was restricting air, I wouldn't get my improved gas mileage.
There is always a trade-off for air flow vs filtering. In this case, my car isn't going to die within 20,000 miles. The fuel economy increase is all worth it to me.
My car is getting better gas mileage with the K&N. Surely, if the K&N was restricting air, I wouldn't get my improved gas mileage.
There is always a trade-off for air flow vs filtering. In this case, my car isn't going to die within 20,000 miles. The fuel economy increase is all worth it to me.
Moderator - Electronics Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 12
From: Illinois
One of the local car mod shops had a demo K&N filter (small size) and a paper filter. K&N had the oil in it. It was just a simple demo between the amount of air that the paper vs K&N would flow. Had some sort of floating needle up top that was pushed by a fan underneath the filter. The K&N did indeed flow more. And yes, it did have the oil on it...asked the guy to remove the filter and the red stuff was there.
Where did you find info on the K&N that would lead it to be a scam? I would be VERY interested in finding out.
Where did you find info on the K&N that would lead it to be a scam? I would be VERY interested in finding out.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 38
From: SC
IMHO, if all auto manufacturers, and I do mean all, thought that oiled filter technology would increase MPG and horsepower for a minimal cost, don't you think they would incorporate it from the factory? I don't know of one manufacturer that does this.
I installed a K&N on my 2001 F-150 5 years ago. What I did get was a throatier acceleration, however, my oil was filthy after 2k miles under normal driving conditions. I couldn't understand why until I realized that it coincided with the K&N installation. I replaced it with OEM and never experienced dirty oil again.
Again, if you want your engine to last more that 100k, stick with OEM. Period.
I installed a K&N on my 2001 F-150 5 years ago. What I did get was a throatier acceleration, however, my oil was filthy after 2k miles under normal driving conditions. I couldn't understand why until I realized that it coincided with the K&N installation. I replaced it with OEM and never experienced dirty oil again.
Again, if you want your engine to last more that 100k, stick with OEM. Period.
How can you be sure that when you apply the oil that it is uniform and the same amount each time. How can you be sure that you did not over oil. You may have oiled the filter OK one time then overoiled the next you cannot be sure how much oil to use. This is the problem with oil filters unless it is done in a controlled setting. 
the K&N style filter is designed to work properly with the element saturated - meaning it can hold no more oil - any oil that is not absorbed by the filter material either drips off or is sucked into the engine and burnt...
K&N's do flow more air, oiled or not - the OE paper filters are pretty cheaply made, and although they do tend to catch more particles, they definitely restrict air flow - you get one or the other, in general, the more air it flows, the larger the holes are in it, meaning the larger the particles that get through are...
personally - performance car - K&N, daily driver - OE style filter (we use hastings / casite stuff) and it is IMO better quality than OE in many applications...
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IMHO, if all auto manufacturers, and I do mean all, thought that oiled filter technology would increase MPG and horsepower for a minimal cost, don't you think they would incorporate it from the factory? I don't know of one manufacturer that does this.
Again, if you want your engine to last more that 100k, stick with OEM. Period.
Again, if you want your engine to last more that 100k, stick with OEM. Period.
My engine had K&N filter for most of its life and yet the engine performs flawlessly. I change my engine oil every 1500 miles (I do very short commutes) so I'm not too worried about my oil being too dirty.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 38
From: SC
So let me get this straight. One of you cleans your MAF sensor regularly and the other changes his oil every 1500 miles. Well, I guess those are ways to prevent early failures.
The cost of the K&N plus the recharge kit runs about 75 bucks
I buy my filters in quantity for about 15 bucks each with shipping
Do the math... I can go 50k for a break even with OEM vs K&N. This doesn't include changing my oil every 1500 mi
Oh yeah...will run forever too...
The cost of the K&N plus the recharge kit runs about 75 bucks
I buy my filters in quantity for about 15 bucks each with shipping
Do the math... I can go 50k for a break even with OEM vs K&N. This doesn't include changing my oil every 1500 mi
Oh yeah...will run forever too...
Moderator - Electronics Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 12
From: Illinois
How can you be sure that when you apply the oil that it is uniform and the same amount each time. How can you be sure that you did not over oil. You may have oiled the filter OK one time then overoiled the next you cannot be sure how much oil to use. This is the problem with oil filters unless it is done in a controlled setting.
A wide area pump spray would solve this. Sure would beat oiling every groove with the little bottle they have. As for any missed areas/over oiled areas, capillary action usually takes care of this. Levels out unless it's extreme.
Now where did you find out (scientific sources?) that the K&N were possibly scams? Very sure it would be an interesting read.
So let me get this straight. One of you cleans your MAF sensor regularly and the other changes his oil every 1500 miles. Well, I guess those are ways to prevent early failures.
The cost of the K&N plus the recharge kit runs about 75 bucks
I buy my filters in quantity for about 15 bucks each with shipping
Do the math... I can go 50k for a break even with OEM vs K&N. This doesn't include changing my oil every 1500 mi
Oh yeah...will run forever too...
The cost of the K&N plus the recharge kit runs about 75 bucks
I buy my filters in quantity for about 15 bucks each with shipping
Do the math... I can go 50k for a break even with OEM vs K&N. This doesn't include changing my oil every 1500 mi
Oh yeah...will run forever too...
. I only run the K&N because it came with the car so the recharging kit only cost me $15 
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 1
From: DE <---> NY
So let me get this straight. One of you cleans your MAF sensor regularly and the other changes his oil every 1500 miles. Well, I guess those are ways to prevent early failures.
The cost of the K&N plus the recharge kit runs about 75 bucks
I buy my filters in quantity for about 15 bucks each with shipping
Do the math... I can go 50k for a break even with OEM vs K&N. This doesn't include changing my oil every 1500 mi
Oh yeah...will run forever too...
The cost of the K&N plus the recharge kit runs about 75 bucks
I buy my filters in quantity for about 15 bucks each with shipping
Do the math... I can go 50k for a break even with OEM vs K&N. This doesn't include changing my oil every 1500 mi
Oh yeah...will run forever too...
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