K&N Air filters

[UGR32]

Thinking of buying a K&N air filter for my R32.

My only concern is the risk of debris and dust entering the engine due to the higher flow of air allowed by the filter.

Would changing the oil in the engine more regulary get rid of any debris that entered the engine through the air filter?

The K&N air filter needs to be cleaned and re-oiled, Im not confident of reapplying the perfect amount of oil each time so Im thinking of just buying a new one every 6 months.

[Golf Houso]

Thinking of buying a K&N air filter for my R32.

My only concern is the risk of debris and dust entering the engine due to the higher flow of air allowed by the filter.

Would changing the oil in the engine more regulary get rid of any debris that entered the engine through the air filter?

The K&N air filter needs to be cleaned and re-oiled, Im not confident of reapplying the perfect amount of oil each time so Im thinking of just buying a new one every 6 months.

High flow does not mean low filtration, the OEM toilet paper filter is nowhere near as good as K&N. Also how many k's do you drive a year? The K&N filter should be cleaned and re-oiled (a few sprays of oil here not 1/2 the bottle) every 30,000 or so.

Oh and with oiled filter's ruining MAF sensors, its all BS...

[UGR32]

Id probably do around 20-25,000 kms a year I rekon as its a daily driver.

There are plenty of people who would disagree with you, althought I hope you are right.

Ive heard stories about oil messing the MAF sensors.... Although Im sure this would be due to the individual over oiling the filter when cleaning it. Im just going to be on the safe side and buy a new one when its needs cleaning. For $80 Im not going to risk ruining my engine.

[Logzy]

Oiled filters can get oil on the MAF if they are over oiled. Whether they affect the performance of it or ruin it is another question.

If an oiled filter is not oiled enough then it will not filter the smaller particles and will provide very poor filtration.

OEM paper filters are usually quite good in doing their job.

If you want a performance filter without the bother of the oiling then try an Apexi filter.
With the Apexi you then dont have the risk of poor filtration due to not enough oil or oil getting on the MAF from over oiling.

[Guest212]

High flow does not mean low filtration, the OEM toilet paper filter is nowhere near as good as K&N. Also how many k's do you drive a year? The K&N filter should be cleaned and re-oiled (a few sprays of oil here not 1/2 the bottle) every 30,000 or so.

Oh and with oiled filter's ruining MAF sensors, its all BS...

Feel free to feed your engine poorer quality air.

The OEM filter in the VW is xcellent and would do a far, far better job of filtering than a K&N ever would.

There was a test carried out on a number of the popular filter brands available of the shelf in the USA - the oiled filters did indeed provide the best airflow but they also provided the least filtration. I'll find a link to it if you want.

Also, the oiled filters not fouling the MAF? Who are you to call it bull**** just because its never happened to you? Its happened to me and it caused all sorts of performance and economy issues. I can also direct you to multiple people around Brisbane who've ditched oiled filters in favour of paper (usually the genuine item from the dealer too) because the money saved with a K&N is just not worth the troubles.

I don't know your technical experience but I'd suggest its not that of an engineer's yet alone a mechanic's, and I'm not claiming mine is any better but PLEASE do not go around the web dribbling incorrect information. There's enough of it already.

As for whether to use one or not? I think they have their applications and it is up to the person considering buying the product to figure out for themselves if it is exactly what they are looking for.

[Guest212]

Thinking of buying a K&N air filter for my R32.

My only concern is the risk of debris and dust entering the engine due to the higher flow of air allowed by the filter.

Would changing the oil in the engine more regulary get rid of any debris that entered the engine through the air filter?

The K&N air filter needs to be cleaned and re-oiled, Im not confident of reapplying the perfect amount of oil each time so Im thinking of just buying a new one every 6 months.

To a certain degree yes changing the oil more regularly will help. But think about how it will be entering your engine. Guess what it has to squeeze past first to get into your oil. And guess how big it must be to be able to not get trapped by your filter but still be visible in the oil.

Its up to you if you want to replace your rings prematurely!

K&N's have their place. In a daily driven road car, I do not feel this to be their right place. Up to you if you feel any different though? I also found the whole cleaning process a bit of a pain in the bum - was much, much easier to just throw out and renew even though it cost a few more bucks.

[Blitzen]

Feel free to feed your engine poorer quality air.

The OEM filter in the VW is xcellent and would do a far, far better job of filtering than a K&N ever would.

There was a test carried out on a number of the popular filter brands available of the shelf in the USA - the oiled filters did indeed provide the best airflow but they also provided the least filtration. I'll find a link to it if you want.

Also, the oiled filters not fouling the MAF? Who are you to call it bull**** just because its never happened to you? Its happened to me and it caused all sorts of performance and economy issues. I can also direct you to multiple people around Brisbane who've ditched oiled filters in favour of paper (usually the genuine item from the dealer too) because the money saved with a K&N is just not worth the troubles.

I don't know your technical experience but I'd suggest its not that of an engineer's yet alone a mechanic's, and I'm not claiming mine is any better but PLEASE do not go around the web dribbling incorrect information. There's enough of it already.

This is hearsay and crap...There is NO proof to this....I have run K&N and BMC oiled filters on all of my cars and never had a problem, and have NEVER heard about it being an issue until I joined this forum, but of the people who come up with this stuff about buggered MAF sensors, NONE have come up with any proof to say it was the filter oil that killed it, and NONE have taken up the issue with K&N, or any other oiled filter manufacturer. Alot of the time, crank case breathers exit in front of the MAF, this carrying engine oil vapour . Do you have conclusive proof that filter oil wrecks Mass Airflow Sensors(MAF"s).

Please read this...Here is some of the correct Info you want. If you do have an issue with the K&N Filter Oil ruining your MAF, take it up with K&N. I know I would.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massairpledge.htm

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massairfindings.htm

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/MAFTestresults.htm

[Golf Houso]

This is hearsay and crap...There is NO proof to this....I have run K&N and BMC oiled filters on all of my cars and never had a problem, and have NEVER heard about it being an issue until I joined this forum, but of the people who come up with this stuff about buggered MAF sensors, NONE have come up with any proof to say it was the filter oil that killed it, and NONE have taken up the issue with K&N, or any other oiled filter manufacturer. Alot of the time, crank case breathers exit in front of the MAF, this carrying engine oil vapour . Do you have conclusive proof that filter oil wrecks Mass Airflow Sensors(MAF"s).

Please read this...Here is some of the correct Info you want. If you do have an issue with the K&N Filter Oil ruining your MAF, take it up with K&N. I know I would.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massairpledge.htm

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massairfindings.htm

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/MAFTestresults.htm

Thank you sir!

Just like with most car parts and manufactured goods, K&N and BMC and everything else comes with a warranty. In this case, a lifetime warranty with K&N. Had you had a problem with the MAF then perhaps you should have read the interesting manual and information guide that came with the product. And seen their disclosure in regards to MAF damage, which would have allowed you to have made a claim with them instead of just bashing the product.

I think their guarantee and the million something filters sold every year goes to some length to show good the product is. Its small wonder the often overpriced dry filters are doing so well.

X2 on the crank case breather pipe, mine was like a Alaskan oil spill when I took my intake apart!!!

[UGR32]

Look I never knew that high performance oil free filters existed.

Im just going to look into buying an Apexi. A website said they are maintainance free for 25,000 kms, which means after that period of time when it comes to cleaning them, Ill just buy another one. I probably wont wait that long until I do either, probably around 15-18,000 kms Ill change it.

Thanks for your help guys.

[Blitzen]

Sweet as man. Check this out too, but remember, read up about the warranties before you buy, as I'm sure you, and any other smart person would...

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/filters_test/2/index.html

I was surprised by the results, especially about HKS.

[UGR32]

Im not too concerned with the warranty for the filter. I plan on buying 1-2 per year anyway as long as I own the car.

[PaulM]

Anyone aware who retails APEXi in Aus? Have done a google search but really haven't found any real info.

[Guest212]

Blitzen - yeh righto & whatever.


For those who have not yet made up their mind:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

No point arguing with those who have! Just don't go telling others that its safe because a manufacturer said it was - what do you actually believe that they would say something BAD about their own product? C'mon, pull your heads out of your arses.

'Ave a good night!

[UGR32]

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

Pull your head in - you actually expect me to read all that?

Somebody just give me the jist of it please.

[UGR32]

Anyone aware who retails APEXi in Aus? Have done a google search but really haven't found any real info.

I cant find any either, just the pod ones, not the panel filters.