K&n performance Air Filter...?

[portlandstatekid]

anyone think these are worth the 40-50 dollars???

suppposedly they add a mile or two additional
to your dirving.

[jimh]

I like them if you don't run a diesel with a turbo. They do let a little dust through which is hard on turbo blades from what I understand.

[PRINCEMASTER]

Yes they are definitely worth it. The filter alone will add add 1 to 2 if you go the whole way with the K&N cold air setup you get 3 or so. I have the setup on my Durango and it added 3, but also increased the performance when i tow. Alot less or no spark knock which Dodge is known for.

[LowerRiver]

I added an Airaid filter and throttle body spacer to my 4.7 Dodge, which added 2.5-3 mpg. I also added custom dual exhaust which killed my mileage, because I love the sound of it

[Small Fry]

They do make a difference in a gas rig. At least 1 to 2 MPG.

[samiam]

I chose an AFE brand washable filter which doesn't require oil instead of the K&N oiled filter. i had a K&N beforehand, and feel the AFE works better in my 7.3L diesel. I wouldn't claim as much more than a very slight mpg increase, but the engine seems smoother, sounds better, and seems quicker to respond to throttle.

[djb]

They are worth it but you need to make sure and service it. You can buy a service kit that comes with a solvent to clean it and a aerosol oiler to reoil the filter after it has been cleaned. Should be done every 30,000 miles.

[fishinfool]

Good deal if you ask me. I put one in my wifes jeep dunno if it really improved mileage. I pulled mine from my Diesel truck due to concerns of dust in the cleaner box. Definitely glad I did as a friend of mine blew his turbo due to to much dirt passing the filter. I wouldn't use it for the turbo trucks but not against any other vehicle. I am looking into different options for my Diesel.

[backlash442]

If you live in an area of high dust I wouldn't recommend them. They've been known to mess up the MAS by allowing oily dirt to collect on them. Been there done that to my 7.4L Suburban. I think the problem is over treating them with the recharge cleaner kit after it's been washed. Straight from the factory not an issue. With my 5.4L Expy I use a regular filter around town but on long trips or towing I put the K&N in. I also check with a clean white cloth the inside of the filter box just past the air filter to see how clean/dirty it is. So far so good.

[BornToFish360]

I run one in my bmw and one in my cj5 and it does help.. 1-2 mpg improvement. It is better to go the full distance and get cold air kit with k&n filter but the filter stand alone is a great upgrd if you dont want to drop 140-300 for the full set up.

btf360

[djb]

I would be leery of a cold air kit if it is going in a low profile car. I have seen plenty of japanese vehicles with cold air intakes that have gone through puddles during wintertime and ended up sucking water into the motor and hydrolocking a piston- new motor time.

[BornToFish360]

yeah i have heard that to is it because there intakes go almost to the axles of the car to get the cold air up i know my bmw it sits right above the wheel well..maybe diff. in almost most cars.. Sorry not hyjacking thread just curious..

btf360

[djb]

Cold air is good but can be risky. You can cut the cold air tube and install water dump valves. They also make water socks that go over the air filters. I'm skeptical about the water socks though.

[EvilD]

My turbo pulls the oil into the intake and gummed up the mass airflow sensor. I got a trouble code within 50 miles of installing one. It came with a coating of oil that caused the codes. I went back to the AC Delco filter, it flows more and stops smaller particles.

D

[lentz]

i bought one for my diesel and about a month later my friend, which is a ford mechanic, told me that they are not good for diesels. Oh well, i only drive it about 3000 miles a year.

[veilside180sx]

Having ran K&N's on loads of vehicles (from turbocharged race cars to daily drivers), I put them in everything.

The only issues I've ever had personal experience with, were from the individuals over oiling the filter after cleaning.

[69scout]

Never have to replace your air filter again ?

YES..... Had it in my integra, worth every penny.

[Lead Bouncer]

Originally Posted by backlash442

If you live in an area of high dust I wouldn't recommend them. They've been known to mess up the MAS by allowing oily dirt to collect on them. Been there done that to my 7.4L Suburban. I think the problem is over treating them with the recharge cleaner kit after it's been washed. Straight from the factory not an issue. With my 5.4L Expy I use a regular filter around town but on long trips or towing I put the K&N in. I also check with a clean white cloth the inside of the filter box just past the air filter to see how clean/dirty it is. So far so good.

I thinks its actually the MAP sensor. Its a wire across the intake and it gets hot. The oil messes it up and its about a 200 dollar repair.

[bait dunker]

Originally Posted by Lead Bouncer

I thinks its actually the MAP sensor. Its a wire across the intake and it gets hot. The oil messes it up and its about a 200 dollar repair.

no actually he was close, its the MASS air flow sensor.
Kand N air filters do seem to work, but in my shop you wouldnt believe how much dirt ive seen go through them..... if that sand and dirt is wearing off your turbo blades its also going through your engine. 1-2 mpg increase but 3-5k engine replacement? doesnt sound like a good deal to me.
ever take a plenum off a new chevy and see it coated with fine red dust and sand from sanding the roads in eastern oregon? thats all going through your engine.

[ICHTHYDEMON]

K&N filters don't actually "filter" worth a crap.

I bought into their hype and installed one on my '98 Z-71 with 5.7 liter Vortec (350 cid)

I had run numerous used oil analysis on my truck and had a solid baseline as to how the engine was wearing.

After running the K&N for awhile,I did another UOA. The report came back with high amounts of Silicon (dirt) and Blackstone recommended a shorter oil change interval and a retest.

After a shorter OCI,the oil still came back with much higher levels of Silicon than had ever been present with an OEM style filter.

After removing the K&N the Silicon levels went right back down to where they were previously.

They might filter out birds and small kids,but K&Ns do a terrible job of actually filtering the stuff that'll kill your engine.

If you think about it,they aren't recommended for a diesel because they let too much dust through. Where do you think all that dust is going in a gas engine?

[DanS]

They might filter out birds and small kids

[Pagorits]

K&N Filters = snake oil.
I've seen these filters on more than one vehicle. I tried it on my '99 v-10, had more power and better economy with the stock filter.

[kenaifishn]

I have over 100k miles on my AirAid (K&N style)system on a powerstroke. Blackstone reports every two oil changes. No problems so far. I clean and reoil every two oil changes. I also drive over 300 miles of gravel road a month. Check out www.thedieselstop.com, the reply's are as varied as they are here.

Also run K&N on both ATV's.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by kenaifishn

Also run K&N on both ATV's.

K&N's are probably the most common filter for off road use, specifically in off road racing. If they were not as good as stock filters, nobody would use them.

I ran a sand rail in Glamis for ten years without an engine problem. I just cleaned the K&N every trip. And believe me, that filter was solidly caked with sand by the end of the first day. There was never a film of any dust on the inside of the filer, carbs or manifold. If they work in Glamis sand (much finer that Coos Bay sand), they'll work anywhere.

I can't vouch for their gas mileage improvement as Ive never compared them on a street vehicle.

[Antlershed]

Like mentioned above, K&N's don't filter worth a darn. Go into an auto parts store, hold one up to the light, and see how much you can see through it. If you can see through it, dust can get through, and will screw up your mass air flow sensor like was also mentioned earlier. I had one on my Toyota and threw it away and went back to the stock paper one....much better than a K&N. On my Chevy, I went with an AEM intake kit. No oil to mess with on the filter, and it actually filters.

[joemomma]

Originally Posted by DanS

I got a dirty one, now it works good!