K&N Air Filter oil on turbo

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In enlighting me on where a silencer ring was located, one of the other members included pictures, one of which showed evidence of oil on his turbo. This was a result of using a K&N Air Filter. He said that the guys at Cummins recommended not using a K&N because of this. I've used K&Ns on a lot of my vehicles, aspriated and blown, without any problems. However, these application have been on gas motors. Is this a problem that caused early turbo failure, does it gum up... ??? Cummins recommended that the other member go to a paper filter. I just don't trust paper to trap sand. I have two filters. I change the "dirty" one out and replace it with the clean one every 6000 miles. In this case I can clean the "dirty one, air dry and reoil (I'm also cautious not to over oil which can be an problem with this type of filter). What is the experience of other members using K&Ns over a long period of time? Should I trash the K&Ns and go back to a paper?

 

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I put my K&N on about 1500 miles ago. That is not long term, but so far I have had no build up and no dirt past the filter. I like it and the turbo sound is much nicer with it so it's staying.

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2001/3500/6X6/4. 10 LSD/AT/K&N/DRIFTWOOD QUADCAB UNBOMBED SO FAR!

 

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FMJ (cool user name)<font color=teal> I have had a K&N since my truck had 15K (now at 87K) Approx. 10,000 miles ago I went with the Scotty cone K&N RE-0880. I am now running the Psycotty cowl induction system with this K&N. I did right at last notice black build up with the stock K&N. I also had a tail from where the dirt was getting in at the sealing surface( hadn't used the grease). I cleaned this up by unhooking the turbo from the outlet hose and cleaned it with carb cleaned and blow dried it. I now have absolutely not dirt in there and my last oil analysis had only 2 Silicon

I have another buddy that has a 99 ISB and running a chrysler filter had the same blacking of the turbo blades.

I like you have used K&Ns on alot of stuff and never had any problems. I pitted years ago on an offroad racing team, I remember pulling the hood to replace a braken shock and seeing the K&N air filter with 1/2" of dust totally surrounding it. I asked the drive if it was loading up and he said "running Fine" I pulled it and the inside was clean as can be...
I think the bad rap has to do with the filter housing and the fact that the K&N shows this build up faster because of the oil. I believe the K&N to be a better filter!!!</font>

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Dee'sel
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54, Forrest Green/Driftwood, LSD 5 speed, K&N Air filter RE0880 & Psychotty, TST #11 all the way forward, #12 for winter, AFC spring kit, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, TST EGT gauge & TST 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar, Hypo clutch ass. , Cat-be-gone, 4" Dynomax Bullet muffler, Crome 4" turn down, AmsOil ser 2000 75W-90 in Trans, Geno's trans filter kit, AmsOil ATF In Transfer case, AmsOil 15W-40 Oil W/ Bypass system, AmsOil Ser 2000 75W-90 in front & Rear ends, Lund Winter front, Leer Cab Level Shell Driftwood , 235/85R16 Goodyears, Dyno'd 342 HP *NRA/USPSA member and proud of it*

[This message has been edited by drawson (edited 08-07-2000). ]

 

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I've had K&Ns on both my rigs for almost five years,no oil on turbo,no dust getting through,I won't go back to the restricive paper filter. Reading the posts from folks that have the oily turbo problem I'm seeing a pattern-they haven't had them on that long. That leads me to believe that they come over oiled from the factory. My advice is to clean it when new,litely reoil then use. My . 02

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,30,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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fmj, you might want to read the "K&N doesn't stop dirt!" thread, it has some interesting info. I used to have a K&N but it didn't work out for me (not saying it's a bad filter though): https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/001273.html

Vaughn

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"BLUE THUNDER"
'01 2500 QC Shortbed 2wd, Patriot Blue over Driftwood, HO 24v Cummins & 6-speed, 3. 54LSD, Cab & Fog lamps, Camper & Tow Pkg.
BOMBings: K&N RE0880 (NOT ANYMORE #ad
), straightpiped exh. , debadged body, AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges, Amber turn signals, 55w halogen rev. lights, braided stainless fuel lines
Performance: 245rwHP on BD Dyno, 0-60@ 11. 5 sec. , consistent 17-23 mpg
12,440 miles (7/27/00)

[This message has been edited by Vaughn MacKenzie (edited 08-09-2000). ]

 

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Just took hose off at turbo and airbox with
K&N. Clean side of box and hose were clean. As far as the turbo blades go, I noticed a very small amount of black film only on the edges of the blades - What I would consider to be normal. It was such a small amount that I could barely even notice any rubbing off with my finger. If you consider for a minute the amount of air that passes through there and what speeds the turbo spins at, I think it is acceptable to see small traces of black film. Also, this is after numerous trips towing the race truck out to the desert im Barstow. The hose itself looked very clean - I am happy with the performance so far. We'll see what the oil analysis says after another 1500 miles.

Criag

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner, Autometer Ultralite pyro and boost, Mag Hytec on Dana 80... wouldn't dare add anything to void that good ole DC warranty!

 

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Checked my K&N last night and the sealing grease was being sucked out of the groove and onto the dirty (pleated) side of the filter. This is a little concerning because if it can suck the grease from the groove it might be able to suck dirt around the lid and into the clean side of the housing unless the vacuum effect pulls the filter tight against the lid and creates a complete seal. Also there was a trace of black film on the turbo fins which I have seen with a stock filter as well. Rubber hose was clean as new. Filter has 14,000 mile on it.

 

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Lets jump this thread over the cyber wall to the products forum.
Fmj you can do a search on K&N and find a whole lot of debate on this filter.

 

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After reading posts reguarding K&N oil blowing out of the filter and onto the turbo I decided to look at my turbo for the first time. My K&n has been on for the last 10,000 miles (mostly with the camper on) and the turbo blades had only the slightest hint of dust. The connection tube was amazingly clean, both dust and oil free!

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1995 2500 SLT Club 4x4, auto, 3. 54, 3300 pound Elkhorn slide in camper, AirLift air springs, Ricka dual wheel adapters, K&N, DC tow hooks, Rancho RS9000, Hellwig rear sway bar.
101,000 miles and counting.

 

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I guess the question is: If K&N makes filters for the cummins are they bad?? Can't see a company as big as K&N making "BAD" products for our rigs.
My $0. 02. Lets start the debate all over again #ad
#ad
#ad
#ad

 

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I don't think the K&N allows dirt into the engine OR causes oil build up in/on the turbo. Frankly, I've over oiled them to the point of having a wet air box, and still no oil in/on the turbo (that ruined the filter fabric though). That black film on the fan blades IS NOT the K&N oil. It's normal. I've seen it on lot's of trucks that never had a K&N. If the filter has a gap around the edges or is installed wrong some dust may get in. Three Turbo Diesels, about a quarter million miles with K&Ns, I've never had any of those problems.

So chill everybody (my opinion only).

Although: I personally don't consider ANY filter a "lifetime" filter. I'll replace mine as soon as I see signs of fabric fatigue -- I used to think around 50,000 miles but it still looks new after 59,000 so maybe 75,000 miles. They'll probably last longer now that I don't over-oil them.

BTW: I think they dry out on occassion (summer, hot running). Every now and then I drip some K&N oil on it to keep it barely oily to the touch.

Replacing every 50-75,000 (depending on conditions) is still cheaper then buying paper replacements in that interval. In approx 250,000 miles on my Turbo Diesels I've bought three K&Ns. I took the filter from truck to truck, no problems.

 

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Mark I agree with you 100%! I also have a K&N
filter in my 96 Ram which now has 101,000 miles on it. No problems at all. Before this truck I had a 92' Dodge Cummins Diesel also equipped with a K&N filter. The 92' had 94,000 miles on it when I sold it outright to buy the 96' Ram. I never had a problem with the K&N on that truck either. I agree that you do need to be careful with the amount of oil you put on the filter. I live in an area that is VERY HOT in the summer and my filters do seem to dry out sometimes as you described.

 

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To be fair, I've never opened my airbox, still stock on the intake. I do have a slight oily ring around the impeller, but not on the blades. So I can say that this happens from the stock paper. Still don't trust the k&n though, would like to try one, but it doesn't sound worth it yet.

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2k, 15k miles, QC, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54,285/75r16 bfg/at, VA, DD1's, PS Boost module, DD Elbow, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in" (runs better), popup cmpr, 9000 lbs. 15-16. 5 mpg's. Say no mas.

 

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It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch!
Three Years ago I heard this rumor, so I contacted K&N to get the whole story, they sent me an Independant Lab Test that compared all major Paper filters to K&N.
The results were K&N out flowed all others by 40% and trapped 2% more dirt than the best Paper filter.
The Machine used to test the filter draws way more air through the filters than even the most powerful Cummins.
As far as oil on the turbo blades you need not worry, Most turbo Diesels vent the crankcase in to the turbo inlet for a constant supply of oil.
In fact there is a vendor in the TDR Called Airsep, I think, that offers a system that does just that.

Good luck whatever you choose.

Ted Jannetty



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Ted Jannetty, Owner President Jannetty Racing Enterprises Inc.
97 3500 4x4 club cab 5spd. RED, JRE stage 3 power kit, JRE 4" exhaust
JRE 1/2 inch fuel system, Cummins 370 hp injectors, Prime loc,
Cummins chrome kit, US Gear 20% over drive, 3. 54 posi, Autometer
gauges, boost, and Pyrometer, BD exhaust brake.
97 Ski-Doo 670 turbocharged
99 Honda Forman 450 ES