K&N filters - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

adiaw83 · #1 05-01-2002, 08:41 PM

Does fastlane sell these for a 300Sd because I haven't seen then. All I see is the bosch, the mann and the hengst. Are these comparable to the K&N? thanks

adiaw83 · #2 05-01-2002, 09:26 PM

while I'm at it, how good is this liqui moly stuff at doing what it claims. It says it reduces oil consumption which is a problem. it also claims to stop leaks at seals and gaskets. anyone used this before?

DieselHead · #3 05-01-2002, 10:13 PM

The air filters that FastLane sells are disposable paper filters. The K&N is made of a cotton soaked with red oil and is reusable. I have a K&N which I added about a year ago (if not more) and I seem to recall it making a difference. I really don't remember though and I don't have an extra paper filter to use and compare to. At $50 something, it wasn't a bad buy but you'll have to find it somewhere other than FastLane online, or maybe at a local parts shop. If you're looking into reusable filters, also take a look at Amsoil's foam air filter at their website (www.amsoil.com). I've heard some pretty good things about that one too.

There are, however, many people here who will tell you that the K&N is a waste of money and OEM paper is best. I would search the archieves for one of the threads with this debate and then you can decide for yourself. Good luck.

Alex

adiaw83 · #4 05-01-2002, 10:26 PM

thanks for the info

#5 05-01-2002, 11:51 PM

To follow up on DieselHead's + or - on K&N. Possible plus is that they let more air in to the engine allowing for slightly greater horsepower. Diesels are funny though, I don't know if it gives em any more power because they seem to be majority based on fuel supply more than "air" like gasoline. Big plus is they last longer and reusable. Minus is I have also heard they let more dirt particles in than paper. That's my 2cents.

adiaw83 · #6 05-01-2002, 11:58 PM

I just read up on this. It seems like the plus is that they do let in more air but on the downside also mre dust. It seems like the amount of dust is almost negligible though. Another huge plus is these things are lifetime. You won't ever have to get another filter again. Just wash reoil and reuse. I ordered one from ************************ so we'll see how it goes.

#7 05-02-2002, 12:21 AM

I think you are right the amount of dust is negligable in the scheme of things and it lasts practically forever. Let us know if you feel a difference!

#8 05-02-2002, 06:20 AM

True, a "low restriction" air filter would provide little or no gains in power on a naturally aspirated diesel... *unless* the injection pump were calibrated to anticipate the higher quantity of air.

A turbodiesel *would* show a gain in power automatically. The turbocharger would not have to work as hard pull in air--thus the turbine wouldn't need as much energy from the exhaust, etc.

I have heard the 2 schools of thought regarding the filtration ability of K&N filters... a lot of it sounds like speculation and rumor.

Personally, I have used K&N filters on some gasoline engined cars and noted that the throttle body and intake plenum remain very clean over a long period of time--cleaner than with the stock paper element! I believe the oil in the filter element is the key.
-Joe

tcane · #9 05-02-2002, 02:19 PM

I came across a test done scietifically using a filter in a stock air filter cannister housing for the 1982-1995 non-turbo 6.2-6.5 liter diesel engine: one filter was the AC A644C with an oiled foam wrap, one was the K&N 1690, the other was the Amsoil Type 52 an oiled foam with a deflector plate. Using a blower to get a consistent draw of 540 cfm through the filter cannister, the tester used a consistent grade of dust size-wise and weight (4 oz. flour-like with size less than .0049", 1 oz. .0049"-.0082", 3/4 oz. .0082"-.0098") fed into the intake of the cannister - similar procedure used by testing facilities. The amount of air flow restriction was similar for all three filters. Results, the Amsoil caught by far the largest amount of dust and far less would reach the engine, next was the AC with the oiled foam wrap, and last was the K&N with the AC just slightly better than the K&N.

The tester commented that the Amsoil filter had a plate on it that is suppossed to be located at the point where the air from the intake strikes the filter - he theorized that this plate deflected high-speed particles and allowed the filter to trap them. The tester was not associated with Amsoil (I've looked a lot at Amsoil products and it is hard to find info from sources that are not associated with Amsoil - independence and objectivity of opinion/testing is what I'm looking for). Read the article at
www.lubespecialist.com/airfilt.htm

One downside about Amsoil air filter and other filters - none are made for the older M-B's (I did not check availabilty for later model M-B's). That said, I have some inqueries out to see if one of the Amsoil filters for another application can be adapted to my '77 300D (which would also fit several other M-B's up to 1985). Dirt through the intake track will cause excessive wear on the cylinder wall to piston contact area leading to excess oil consumption and excessive clearances leading to the need for an engine overhaul before needed.

Alternatively, replace the paper element filter (OEM type made by Bosch, Mahle, Mann, or Knecht bought from FastLane) a bit more frequently than required and if in dusty conditions much more often. Importantly, thoroughly clean the air filter cannister before opening it to reduce the amount of contamination and filth on the cannister entering the interior of the cannister. Also, make sure the seal between the air cleaner cover and the cannister is good.

Good Luck!
Tom

Kyle Blackmore · #10 05-02-2002, 06:37 PM

I recently had my vacuum diaphragm go allowing oil to be drawn into the air cleaner housing.I have had a K&N filter in it for almost 2 years and it got soaked with motor oil.I tried cleaning it with the K&N filter cleaner (twice)and it kept weeping motor oil out so I bought an MB filter to 'get by' while I try to clean the K&N again.The MB filter was $7 cheaper than aftermarket and my fuel economy went from 32 mpg to 34 mpg.That was only one tankful but I always got 32 mpg before,it makes me wonder about K&N's claims.

#11 05-02-2002, 08:31 PM

Just my opinion here. There isn't a car at the track that doesn't have a K & N in it. I use them in all of my cars. After putting one in my 300D turbo, I felt a marginal increase in power. Probably due to the fact that the turbo would spool up faster because of the reduced restriction. Other than that, no other change. It is recomended that the filter be washed every 10,000 miles. Most people wash them too often. Even a dirty K & N will flow better than a clean paper filter. It will probably filter better too. Anyway, IMHO, a K & N is worth the money one pays for it. It is a great addition to any car on the road and off. (By the way, I picked mine up at my local parts store. The price was $49.99. They even had them in stock!)

The Warden · #12 05-03-2002, 04:05 AM

From what I've read, my first choice would be the Amsoil filter. However, it's apparently not available for the 5 cylinder engines

so I'd pick K&N second, especially if you do a lot of driving.

Another thought, for better flow, would be to install some form of ram-air. I don't know how the air intake's set up from the factory, but I've seen people do a ram-air setup using heating ducting and a Sawzall to cut an appropiate sized hole in the radiator support. This was on a Ford n/a diesel pickup, and with this alone he noticed a decent increase in performance. When I have the time and money, I plan to do something similar...

IMHO the more air you can get in, the better...the engine won't be working quite as hard and you can get the EGT's down...

Just a thought...good luck!

CHAPP · #13 05-04-2002, 07:13 AM

I notice a slight boost in power when I change my paper air filter, but after 5000 miles I see a lot more smoke until I change the filter. I have run Cat heavy equipment for close to 30 years and they use a air filter system with a swirling dust bowl that collects the big stuff....then a large paper filter that is meant to be blown out to clean it...then a inner filter to make sure NOTHING gets in the engine. These filters supply a lot of air for the turbo engines and every major manufacter of heavy eq. use a system just like it.
I am going to install one on my car and should save money and time...and help the car run better. Anyone else tried this?

Chapp

#14 05-04-2002, 01:23 PM

Chapp,

With that much filtration, it seems like you'd need A LOT of surface area in order for the flow rate to be high enough to support the engine. No doubt those CAT filters you speak of are pretty huge...

-Joe

mikemover · #15 05-04-2002, 07:23 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by XN6guy

A turbodiesel *would* show a gain in power automatically. The turbocharger would not have to work as hard pull in air--thus the turbine wouldn't need as much energy from the exhaust, etc.

That sounds like it would be true, but how hard the turbo "works" is irrelevant when it comes to engine power, because as you know, it is not driven by engine horsepower, but by waste gasses from the exhaust. Diesels run with "excess air" most of the time, so an increase in air from any source, whether it be improvements in the turbo, filter, manifold, or whatever, will mean nothing without additional fuel. Contrary to gas-engine wisdom, a filter with increased air flow in a diesel is not worth the cost in additional contaminants that will be allowed into the engine to cause additional wear.

Mike