any real benefit to a K+N filter - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

weird beard · #1 09-06-2010, 09:55 PM

as the title says. Worth the expence or not? Any performance gains in the real world?

vstech · #2 09-06-2010, 10:02 PM

if you drive a suupercharged race car or a HUMONGUS vehicle with a gasoline engine there are mild benefits to the things. not on our cars though. the diesel engine is fuel managed, not air managed, so all you will be doing is ingesting increased particulate to the engine. and the motors have waaaay more air than then need with the mild horsepower they produce. put in a HUGE turbo and double the fuelflow from the IP and it'll still not be out performed by the K&N filter...
in other words,
No.
it won't help and it can hurt.

barry123400 · #3 09-06-2010, 10:14 PM

Any improvement is obtained at very high rpm where the stock airfilter on gasoline cars might be seen as an obstruction at high air flow rates. Basically enabled as a less than ideal filter with a lower contaminate capture rate by k&n. As mentioned no advantage using one especially on our engines.

Want more power? Do a good tune up by reading the archives of areas and methods of doing so. On most older cars will be worthwhile and make an improvement. Most of the tuneup approach is very cost effective on these engines. Primarily just time and effort.

weird beard · #4 09-06-2010, 10:53 PM

what about a K+N sticker on the air filter housing? It works for the ricers.

whunter · #5 09-08-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

if you drive a suupercharged race car or a HUMONGUS vehicle with a gasoline engine there are mild benefits to the things. not on our cars though. the diesel engine is fuel managed, not air managed, so all you will be doing is ingesting increased particulate to the engine. and the motors have waaaay more air than then need with the mild horsepower they produce. put in a HUGE turbo and double the fuelflow from the IP and it'll still not be out performed by the K&N filter...
in other words,
No.
it won't help and it can hurt.

K&N filter topic links thread
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diy-links-parts-category/173036-k-n-filter-topic-links-thread-post1354738.html

Have a great day.

LandYaghtLover · #6 09-06-2010, 10:56 PM

Stickers = Free HP

Sev · #7 09-06-2010, 11:05 PM

K&N filters are proven to increase airflow and do work to increase power in diesel engines. It's a proven fact not worth arguing about

pawoSD · #8 09-06-2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

K&N filters are proven to increase airflow and do work to increase power in diesel engines. It's a proven fact not worth arguing about

Not on a MB, the air filter assembly already flows more than enough air for the engine. The only way to get more power is by turning up the fuel, which increases the temps, which melts the pistons. MB did know what they were doing when they designed the air intake believe it or not. A redneck K&N slapped in there is not going to improve anything, and will just allow a lot more dirt through the engine.

tbomachines · #9 09-07-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

K&N filters are proven to increase airflow and do work to increase power in diesel engines. It's a proven fact not worth arguing about

Still waiting for your proven facts' evidence...

dariod · #10 09-07-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

K&N filters are proven to increase airflow and do work to increase power in diesel engines. It's a proven fact not worth arguing about

Not sure on MB but on VW TDI diesel putting K&N means get ready to change a lot of MAF's.

vstech · #11 09-07-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dariod

Not sure on MB but on VW TDI diesel putting K&N means get ready to change a lot of MAF's.

unless your tdi is seriously equipped with an undersized intake runner resulting in extremely high intake velocities, the only way a K&N would take out the maf is if it was oiled improperly. the mesh needs VERY little oil to work properly, and it needs it ONLY on the incoming side of the filter. dirt will not harm the maf, but oil will.

but back to the MB question. on here somewhere is a scientific study showing the airflow volume, and the particulate trapping vs passing data. very revealing.

al b · #12 09-07-2010, 03:32 PM

My K&N style filter has saved me a lot of money. I have not had to replace the bracket that holds the air breather in place for a year now at $30 a peice. lol

pawoSD · #13 09-07-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al b

My K&N style filter has saved me a lot of money. I have not had to replace the bracket that holds the air breather in place for a year now at $30 a peice. lol

You consider $30 a lot of money? How does ruining the engine save you money? THINK. And if your engine shakes that bad, maybe you should be looking into why? I have never had to replace my air cleaner bracket, nor do I even have to change the rubber mounts, because my engine runs smoothly.

It is amazing what people consider "saving". Its that age-old "now" approach, without thinking about "later".

4x4_Welder · #14 09-06-2010, 11:18 PM

They work great at increasing internal wear. Higher flow with smaller pleats = bigger holes for dirt to get through, plain and simple. You just need a good paper filter with deep pleats and you'll be set.

layback40 · #15 09-06-2010, 11:24 PM

On this one I disagree with you Sev. Every year or so we have the local sales guy out here who is their agent. He can not provide properly conducted tests that show any improvement in operation from just the air cleaner change. For any one in dusty conditions they will cause increased ware to your motor. The motor manufacturers do not support their use.
Weird's idea of the sticker is a good one!!
I have a car alarm sticker on each of our cars, never had a problem.
You may as well paint stripes on your car to make it go faster.