K&N leaking dirt... continuing saga

[Power Wagon]

As you may recall, I posted some time ago about my K&N apparently leaking dirt... around the front cover.



Well, last week, I had it off again, and guess what... . Leaking!



I had a very fine dusting of dirt in the hose again.



this is NOT good, and I was getting really REALLY sore about it. This time, I got the filter off, took it in and began inspecting it very closely.



Let me review, I got this filter in December... brand new, out of the box.



Well, guess what??? The middle of the filter was red... AND DRY!!



No obvious oil whatsoever. Red, yes, but dry as a bone. No dirt to stuck to middle of the filter.



I oiled it up good and put it back in. If it leaks again, this time K&N is getting an EARFUL!!! They tell you they are properly oiled from the factory. I don't believe you can trust that, anymore.

 

[Wayno]

I found dust back in my hose again Power Wagon , after cleaning it again and re-oiling it, so I took it out and put a Fleetguard back in it . I ran it(Fleetguard) for about a month and it was time to service the truck. I service my truck about every three month's. Now I know that a month is not much time but I check the hose and found no dust. Ca'nt wait to see what happen's in three month's??????????????

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I changed my K&N last week when I did an oil change and found all was good in intake land. This K&N was new about a year ago right after an accident. I pulled it back then and re-oiled it because I did not like K&N's oiling job. I also pulled the intake air hose and it was still clean - as in from the factory clean. I've run K&N for about 130,000 miles and never found anything past the air filter. BTW the air box is swiss cheesed and I change my K&N out every 12,000 miles.

Bob

 

[Power Wagon]

I have run K&N's in some of the most extreme conditions before (Utah desert, gravel road country here in Oregon), and NEVER had one leak dirt that I could ever detect. In every case, they did better than the paper filters.



So, this is new to me.



And btw, my filter has all of about 8K miles on it.

 

[nascar mark]

Power Wagon,



Did your filter come with a foam seal on the closed end? Mine did and i found that if i took it off it fit in the housing better. Can't see why it was there in the first place cause it deforms the hose end of the filter housing when tightened up, which could possible alow dirt past filter and housing? It may look ok until you close it up and tighten.



mark

 

[Power Wagon]

I thought it was leaking past the front cover, but it's not. IT apparently has been the lack of oil the whole time.



I hope the filter isn't ruined because of it. I'm only going to drive it a short time before checking again. If it is bad (fabric deteriorated from air/dust erosion, I think I have a claim for K&N warranty.

 

[Old Smoky]

Looks like it's about time for a BHAF and an "Old Smoky Mount. "



Mike

 

[Power Wagon]

You're saying this to a K&N guy? heheheehe

 

[Wayno]

I think you're right Old Smoky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Power Wagon]

You're saying this to a K&N guy? heheheehe







If I hve to replace the filter, it gets another K&N and it better be at thier expense.

 

[McGivern]

K&N

I installed the BHAF because the K&N was passing dirt. My EGT is down 100-150 deg. under load, and cool-down is greatly improved. I have now removed the K&N's from everything I own.



Anyone want a K&N for a first gen? CHEAP?

Make me an offer!



Mark

 

[Old Smoky]

I didn't want anyone to have my K&N after the headaches it caused me. It's now among rotten food and dirty diapers at the local landfill. I know some have had good luck with K&N, and I am happy for you. But I don’t really care to see another, especially after seeing the benefits of the BHAF.



Mike

 

[Power Wagon]

I don't need a second filter...



Over the lifetime of a typical older car, you changed filters 10 - 20 times. If you got a bad one that leaked dirt (where I lived in the desert, EVERY paper filter leaked a lot of dirt), you had a leaky filter maybe 5% of the life of the car.



I would suspect that even K&N has SOME percentage of defective air filters - just like every other device in the world has. The problem is, you don't change them out, so a bad one remains a bad one with you.



This same rule applies to a BHAF, as well. Especially when new, paper filters are notoriously porous. However, using an "oversize" one will help a lot, since it reduces the pressure differential that will migrate fines through the holes in the paper. But, if you do get one that leaks, it's going to leak a long time for you. Same rule applies. Make sure you check for dirt - that rare "bad one" could be with you a long time, if you don't.



On the average, I will stick with K&N and solve whatever dirt leaking problem I have, even if it means another filter, because I know that over the long haul, it filters far more than any paper filter ever could.

 

[Texas Ted]

Gents



I'm about to give up on my kandn. Every time I pull the intake hose I can write my name in the fine dust. I spend the winters in Yuma, Az. and it does get a bit dusty at times. I've installed the filter correctly and greased the seal. The airbox is in good shape.



I'm running the kn for a thousand miles, then the stock paper filter for a thousand and have found no dust when using the paper . I'm giving up on the kandn it's just not worth the hassle. Ted

 

[Smoke-This]

have had same problem with K&N dust in intake and am switching to BHAF also have brand new K&N still in box that is for sale PM if interested

 

[BigMike]

I cleaned my K&N this weekend after about 40000 miles. Also checked the intake as I was warned that the filter leaks. I found absolutely no dirt in my intake. Clean as a whistle. I ran my finger around the ring, and nothing came off. Boy was I pleased. I have confidence in the K&N now. Oo.

 

[Power Wagon]

Glad to see you hanging around BigMike...



I'm just a few minutes away from you... Weston.



May I suggest you join NW Bombers?



www.nwbombers.com we need more "east side" members



Thanks

 

[Mgrant]

I've had my bad experience with a K&N. Mine leaked around where the base seal attaches to the mount. What I found that the seal was way too thin and the inside diameter of the metal base was smaller than the plastic ring on the mount that centers the filter when tightening the wingnut. The filter would bottom out with a loose fitting seal. I wound up with a fine coating of oil/dust mix in the intake tube, turbo veins, and turbo output tube.



After returning the K&N, I purchased an "Old Smoky Mount" and a BHAF and I must say it was the best investment I've made in airfilters. Old Smoky is right, lower EGTs, less smoke, and quicker spool-up. I was amazed and pleasantly surprised at the gains. I've increased fueling and still have less smoke than the K&N with conservative fueling or the stock filter with stock fueling and stock housing. The initial throttle puff is still there, but the trailing stream of black has turned into a greyish haze during pull-up and disappears entirely after spool-up. My line of thinking is that when an increase of air results in less smoke, more of that fuel is going into engine power and economy rather than offending someone. But I must admit, I miss blowing smoke through the windows of a lane darting lowrider with the offensive music and exhaust note But seeing the expression on his face in the mirror after he realizes that he just got blown away by a diesel, has it's own pleasures