K&N revisited

[dpuckett]

My mom has a 93 D350 with about 225K. I bought it with 135K, didnt like the way the auto pulled 10K lbs, and she bought it, because her left ankle could not handle the constant clutching of the 86 F150 she had at the time. I had put a K&N filter on it (the DOdge) at about 140K, and had no problems with its filtering. Last fall, I was doing an oil change for her, and after reading some of the threads, decided to check the inside of the intake hose. Sure enough, there was a fine layer of dust. Hoping it was just a sealing problem, I took everything apart, reassembled it, sealing all connections with silicone caulking, to ENSURE no dust could get around.



CHanged exhaust housings today. Noticed a film of dust, and the turbo- to- intercooler elbow had a layer of dust and oil. I am 97% sure it is a bad filter. But, I cleaned it today, and am letting it air dry tonight. In the AM, Iam going to clean out the hose, reoil the filter, and put it back in. Now, I also sent an email to K&N, telling them of the situation, and will hopefully get a response by monday or Tuesday. How hard are they to deal with for warranty issues? I would like a refund, just for the simple fact I am out the money, and want to go to the competition or back to paper filters. If they offer a new filter, I will have to look inside hte intake hose on my 91 to see how it is. THere are a few spots on Mom's filter where bugs have been sucked into the airstream, and dented the aluminum screen a little, but there is no evidence of media damage. THe K&N in our 6. 9 N-A Ford filtered well. 20K and not a speck of dirt through it. Does the CTD just suck too much air for the filter to handle, or did I just get a lemon? From the looks of warranty return requirements on their website, we may just be out the money, and have a nice 1/4mi rifle target now.

Is AFE any better? How bout a BHAF with a prefilter? The parts stores around here in 1/2-ton-gasserville want $35 to 40 for the filter. Seems like I remember the last Geno's catalog asking <30 for one.

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[Cummins4Life]

I've used 3 different oilable cone filters 2 AFE 1 K&N. All three did what you are describing. Fine dust in the intake tube and a light dirty oily residue on the turbo blades even after making an effort to ensure a proper seal. This is with the factory oiling. I think its just the nature of the beast. Now the filters that fit in the factory air boxes tend to be more prone to such faults because of their loose fitting nature. Have you thought about running a BHAF in an old smoky mount? Would probably flow enough air witout worry.

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by Cummins4Life

Have you thought about running a BHAF in an old smoky mount? Would probably flow enough air witout worry.

How much for a BHAF? I was thinking of going back to the Fleetguard filter, and seeing about getting a pre filter of osme kind (does K&N or AFE make one?) to cut down on paper filter changes. Apparently, the dust around here in Swampeast MO is finer than in Colorado. I havent had any problems out there. I have a 93 airbox in my 91, and thus the big canister not bolted to the filter plate like the earlier first gens, and have had no trouble with the filtering. I always try to put some grease on the rubber seals to ensure decent sealing and that no dust gets around the ends.



WIth the truck being stock, and no intentions of serious BOMBs, I figure the stock paper filter will flow enough for getting 16-20 psi boost. My main thing was having to buy a $25 filter every 10-15K when i was towing out in COlorado. Here in MO, she could probably get away with 20K or once a year.



THanks, Cummins4life. ANyone else? THere is a lot of dust in the area with all the farming and wheat field burning that goes on, not to mention 2 miles of gravel one way to get home.



Daniel

 

[Roadhogz]

Try the air aid filter. It's a reusable like the K&N. I use a cone air aid filter with a 6" to 5" exhaust reducer with a welded bracket that bolts to the existing stock filter box location. This filter setup works great and doesn't pass any dust at all. I even did a white glove test and no dust. This setup cost me $70, 60 for the filter and 10 for the exhaust reducer. The 6" side on the filter and the 5" side on the turbo hose. If you're interested, let me know and I can email a pic of what it looks like installed.

 

[GMocanu]

For a stock truck that's going to stay a stock truck a regular paper filter is fine. If you want something different then go to the BHAF. You don't need any special installation kit. Just get a Wix #42790 or the Napa #2790. You'll pay about $10 more for the Napa filter and it's the exact same filter made by Wix. I paid $42 at a local parts store.



All I did was remove the filter box and take out the screws and the rubber grommets. I then made a plate out of sheet metal to cover the opening over the shock so that water wouldn't splash onto the filter. I used the filter box screws, with the rubber grommets upside down, to hold the plate in place. Then just connect the hose to the filter and tighten the clamp.

 

[dpuckett]

guys,



Thanks for the replies. It looks like I'll go with a BHAF for my 91, and probably a stock paper filter for Mom's. I may look at a "green" filter when I go out to CO next week; no one has heard of them around here. K&N in 350s is THE thing here. Nevermind opinions will change about "slow" diesels when I return. I appreciate the efforts to help, but these are first gen trucks; big canister already. BHAF is a little bigger around, but I think about the same length. I will obviously have to get a mount, and swap it in, but I'll contact Old Smoky about that. Put the cleaned K&N in this AM. It WAS dirty, or at least the bathtub told a tale. Seemed quicker, but I suspect it was mostly the 18 cm housing. Will report back as I get more results.



Daniel

 

[Oil Burner]

Daniel,

I've got a Napa 2790 on mine with an outerwears prefilter. works great and flows great. I got away from the oiled filters for the same reasons you noted. Also, the BHAF has a larger surface area so filter change intervals should be a while longer than the stock paper element. The outerwears prefilter also repels water.

-Jason