Was talking to my store manager today, he has a Ford F250 Turbo Diesel with way too many mods. Anyway, he sent his oil in for analysis like he always does every 5k. They told him that there were dust particles in the oil and asked what kind of intake he has. He told them Banks and the filter is made by K&N. They then told him that they have seen this commonly with customers who have a K&N filter.

So my question is if anyone here is having this problem, because I have a K&N filter. If so, what filter should I get? I've always trusted K&N.

Thanks!

 

i'm running that filter also, and have had no problems. it just happens that i have in the last hour finished the maintenance on it, and remember the long list of warnings...

no:
compressed air (makes holes)
solvents (messes up the rubber parts and can allow air leaks)
etc.
etc.

perhaps the filter in question had an issue?

they are delicate to some degree, and also rely on the oil layer in the element for dust elimination - so they require careful TLC...

 

its no secret that K&N is supposed to "flow better" but why? K&N filters use a paper element with larger perforations that allow larger particulate through. ( micron size ) in order to achieve better air flow you also get more of the stuff that comes with the increased flow capability. Most aftermarket intakes that flow alot more than stock allow more matter through. Companies dont keep this secret but they dont exactly advertise it as well if you know what i mean. Its all marketing. K&N is a huge name in filters and they offer quality products but you have to understand what your getting. the factory filters although restrictive dont allow such large microns though resulting in a cleaner engine. This is why most aftermarket filter state that they " filter better" when slightly dirty because some of the perforations are clogged with dust.
Just because something is marketed as "the best" doesnt mean it is. oil filters for example, who is the most popular oil filter manufacturer? FRAM. but in doing a little investigating you will find that fram uses less paper filtering element than some other filters. in fact some of the best filters on the market are from companies youve probably never heard of like MANN. its all marketing as i said.

 

And a foam filter will filter better over the sevice life of the filter. Lots more surface area for the oil to do its job and get the bad stuff out.....

 

All things considered, most major racing formats use K&N; IRL, NASA, NHRA; etc., etc. These guys are about winning, and the stuff they use is tested to the 'n'th degree. I'll go with the winners.
And here's a quote from K&N about filtration and the decisions need to produce a good filter:
"23. Some air filter companies tout their high filtration levels in the 99th percentile. Doesn’t higher filtration mean a better air filter?

No. The quality of an air filter can only be judged by reviewing all four important characteristics. 1) Restriction while loading with dust; 2) Filtration efficiency as a percentage; 3) Dust holding capacity before the filter needs cleaning or replacement ; and 4) filter life. Any company designing an air filter must make choices about these four characteristics and how their filter will perform in each area. Generally speaking, each characteristic of an air filter has an inverse relationship to at least one of the others, meaning, as filtration efficiency goes up, restriction increases and capacity or service life decreases. So an air filter manufacturer can design an air filter to have ultra high filtration efficiency by compromising the filters restriction, capacity, and/or service life."
-skip-

 

And these guys only run for a fairly short distance and then they tear down the engines. Check the filter types that the off road racers use. Probably 90% of them will run a foam filter.

 

thats why all the dirt bike/atv guys swear on foam elements

 

Thank you all for reinstating my confidence in K&N. I understand that I bought it for the higher air flow and run the risk of micron size particles getting through. I just know he is going to ask me everyday about it cuz he never forgets anything. Whatever, I'm trying to get every HP possible, he can afford to go back to his stock filter and still have 700ish HP. Thanks again!!

 

 

I just found out about these that are supposed to make the K&Ns even better:

http://outerwears.com/

my friend drives a dirt track car and he said a lot of them use these

 

He mentioned those, I just haven't looked into them yet. Thanks for the link!


Yesterday, I spoke with a coworker of mine who knows cars well. He told me that the store manager is just picky and small micron size dust particles aren't going to hurt. It sucks to think about, but as long as I stay on top of oil changes I should be fine. But I'm also going to look into those filter sock things. Anyone have one, or know someone who does?

 

Been using and still using K&N filters in all my vehicles with no problems! After reading this thread though, think I will get one of those prefilters if I go off road racing!

 

If you're trying to get every bit of HP possible then the air filter is the last place I'd look .