I have used K&N filters on both my wife's and my own cars for over 10 years now. There has always been some discussion, especially when I had my 2002 GTI, regarding MAF sensors being fouled or killed by the K&N filter oil.

Regardless of what we or dealers think, it seems K&N is stepping up and essentially guaranteeing that they do not cause MAF issues.

to K&N

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

more info here too

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

 

Wow. Interesting. Good for them, I guess?

I've had an intake with a K&N filter on almost every car I've ever owned, and they ALL have thrown CELs almost immediately after the install. Apparently K&N would claim this is a coincidence.

Still don't think I'll be going with K&N on my brand new MINI when it gets here.

 

Most of the MAF sensor that were cooked in the past were the hot wire type. I"m not too sure how the oil interacts with the newer thin film MAF sensors.

Also, I think a lot of the problems came from too much oil after a cleaning.

Matt

 

OK. But they still let more dirt into your engine than paper filters.
Just hold a K&N/cotton gauze filter up to a light and look at all the holes.
4 Layer Gauze filters = greater engine wear. Plain and simple.

 

+1

 

And your data to support this is what?

 

Problem is, people oil them too much when the clean them.

 

not the paper vs foam again!

Matt

 

Indeed

 

A comparison of two used oil analysis. One with a paper filter and one with a gauze filter. The one with the gauze filter showed higher wear metals.

Hold your K&N up to a light and see the holes yourself. If you can see clear light through it, the dirt can fly right on through.

 

My K&N has been on my MCS for years. Not to mention about 50K miles.....

 

Come on Matt. I never said anything about foam.

 

tons of open area, but they work. No, I'm not saying that electrostatic filters work for cars, but I think you get the point.

Matt

 

And you are positive the gauze air filter was the reason? I'm assuming you are quoting some research from somewhere, where might this be?

I've had multiple K&N filters and never have been able to look clear through any of them and they've never caused a fault code of any kind.

I guess we're going to agree to disagree until you present some hard data. There's lots on the K&N site arguing the other way but I've got an open mind. I'm not rushing out to buy a K&N regardless, but seems wrong to slam a product without presenting any proof.

 

Here you go. Sorry for the delay. I've been causing trouble in another thread.

This discussion was my first analysis right after I started using a gauze air filter.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/foru...rue#Post853636


This next analysis was when I went back to paper with the exact same type of oil. Notice how the iron and tin have gone down significantly.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/foru...rue#Post918131


My very first analysis, which is on the report, was with paper as well.

 

Ah DATA, thank you! An interesting read at first glance, still seems like more is going on than just the changing of the filter. Still, a very cool experiment, I will have to give it a full read at home. You may now go back to causing trouble in your other thread!

 

paper/cotton bad.................foam good




puts on fire-suit......hehe

 

If you read the whole thing, you would have seen that they tested that exact theory, and claim that "over oiling" the filter has absolutely NO adverse effects.

I don't know if I buy it, but I guess if they're willing to put their $ where their mouth is, the must know something I don't.

 

for what its worth, the vw community has severe problems with oil and filters fubaring the mafs. I'm running an aem dryflow.

Have fun!
Josh

 

and that's on a modern mustang driveline in my 65 and several on this Mini. Small sample, so probably statistically insignificant. The Mustang uses a MAF, the Mini doesn't.

Matt

 

Amsoil makes a dry filter as well. It's suppose to be very good.

 

Any pics of your setup? I was thinking about going with an AEM dryflow. I have an AEM dryflow intake on my Xterra and I love it!

 

been running my K&N for a couple months with no CEL's or problems of any kind. just my .02

 

I'm trying the K&N filter out, so far no problems. Although I only have 200 miles on it.

 

I got data to prove the oil from K&N filters gets sucked in the engine and over the MAF! I installed a new K&N filter on my R56 a few weeks ago, after about 2 weeks of driving with it, I removed it to install a 90 degree elbow between the filter and the MAF. During the install I ran my finger across the grating just before the MAF...AND IT WAS COVERED IN DIRTY OIL!!!!!

If you have oil on the filter, then OIL WILL GET IN THE ENGINE.

Iresearched this topic, and the filtration claims K&N makes...and its all marketing BS!!

Do some research, or read these links and decide for your self:

http://home.stny.rr.com/jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

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

...and the kicker is in the replies to this article, where David Vespremi (the Brand Marketing Director at K&N Engineering, Inc.) tries to justify using their filters...but his arguments are lame...and people tear him a new one (just take a few minutes and read all the replies):

http://cars.about.com/b/a/216781.htm

Whatever...I know oil gets into the engine from the K&N...I saw it first hand. Now I'm going to get a dry AEM filter...and clean my MAF!