K&N filter test results

[sokoloff]

There was a reference here to a thread one of our members did about test results for the K&N filters. It was not complementary. Anyone know the thread I'm talking about?

[jay_bob]

The former owner of my W210 tried it. It does bad things to the MAF sensor.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-cars-sale/332805-1998-e300-turbo-diesel.html

I ended up changing out the MAF 2 weeks after I got it, as it kept throwing P0100 codes.

[Dubyagee]

Dont over oil the K&Ns.

[vstech]

This thread has LOTS of links about it.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/189991-k-n-air-filter.html

[bmor_62]

As I recall from reading past threads it was not worth the time and effort.

[Diesel911]

A long time ago I started a thread asking for alternate ways to clean a K&N Filter and that led to the controversy on the filter and someone posted a test.

However, at the time the reason I was using the K&N was because the Blow-by Oil mist would get on the Paper Element Air Filters and shorten the life. I figured the Oil mist would not effect the Function of the K&N since it was already Oiled.
The bottom inside surface of the Air Filter Housing was wet with Oil and I never found any gritty stuff sticking to that Oil so subjectively I felt the K&N must have been working.

However, several Years later modified My Intake to use a Washable Fram Air Filter Element and routed the Blow-By tube away from the Filter Element.
Washable Air Filter and Intake Mod , With Larger Breather
Washable Air Filter and Intake Mod , With Larger Breather - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

So I have a better Air Filter that I don't have to replace and took care of the Blow-by messing with the Filter Element.
Fram also makes a Washable Filter Element for My Chevy Van and I have it on the Van also.

[rscurtis]

A K&N is little more than an oiled window screen. Use it at your peril. If they were that great they would be standard equipment on OTR trucks and construction equipment. It may be useful for a situation like Diesel911's with an engine that's already worn out.

[Diesel911]

This has nothing to do with the good or bad filtration dispute; but cleaning the K&N Air Filter is to much labor for them to be used on any large Vehicle if someone was paying a Mechanic to do the cleaning.

Also the more Filters on some large Equipment can blown out with low pressure Air; washed; dried and reused.
At the last place I worked as a Mechanic I had 2 Filters per Vehicle. The Yard was 40 Acres of dirt and I would swap the Filter as soon as the equipment stopped moving long enough for Me to do so and blow out the one I removed and put it in a plastic Bag.
If it was Hot out and I had enough time I would was the one I removed.

The one piece of Equipment had a $68 outer Air Filter and $50 something inner Filter.
If I replaced them ever Day because they were plugged it would have been very expensive by the end of the Month; and times that by the other equipment Filters.