K&N Air Filter
02-17-2003 | 04:14 PM
#1
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From: southern cal.
K&N Air Filter
Decided to change oil and fuel filters today and check on the air filter. After changing to a K&N filter, 50k miles ago I noticed that the fins on the turbo are black! Not really oily black, just black like the top of pistons. They weren't that way when I installed the filter. They were shiny and looked surgically clean. This troubles me because I've heard of the K&N controversy before and have never noticed leakage before. The filter came ready to use right out of the box and said so. I installed a fram paper filter untill I get more feedback! Also, does anyone know how to clean the fins easily without damage or is the black on them nothing to worry about for now?
02-17-2003 | 06:03 PM
#2
I was banned per my own request for speaking the name Pelosi
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From: Bristol Michigan
Re:K&N Air Filter
When I took my old turbo out a couple weeks ago, everything was black too. Thought maybe it was soot getting by a seal? I was gonna drive it a week and see if the new one was getting dirty, I'll have a BHAF on standby. Using a stock replacement AFE now, in the factory air box. Maybe it sucked the oil off the element, but it seemed sooty when I wiped it off the air horn.
02-17-2003 | 07:46 PM
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From: Bend Oregon
Re:K&N Air Filter
I had a K & N filter on my 92 for awhile. I know that alot of people use them but I went back to the Fleetguard paper filter. I looked at the turbo and it had a sooty look to it also. <br><br>I still get 21+ unloaded at highway speed and 16+ in town and change the filter 2X or more a year. Just feel better about it.<br><br>I don't care about the turbo whine, I want reliability plus I don't have to clean the filter and re-oil and worry about getting to much oil on the filter. Here in Aizona the dust can blow alot.<br><br>Jim<br>
02-17-2003 | 09:32 PM
#5
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From: Snohomish, wa
Re:K&N Air Filter
I too have noticed this. However, when I had my intercooler out doing some port work, I did a complete check on all internal components and found no evidence of dust,oil or other unwanted debris. It seems to be located at the compressor wheel only. After looking at a sample under a microscope i found it to be an oily residue most likely from the filter. But I make 34lbs of boost and that is a LOT of air being pulled through the filter. And I know that any oil saturated medium cannot hold excess oil when exposed to high CFM.<br> So I'm not too worried, if it gets too much build up I will just pull the compressor side off and clean the wheel.<br> I use K&N filters on all my race toys and I have never had a failure due to FOD passing by the filter.<br><br> dave
02-17-2003 | 11:13 PM
#6
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From: Michigan
Re:K&N Air Filter
I do not know how many miles with the K&N, because I just bought the truck in January, but my turbo is clean, clean, clean. I know some people over oil them and that is not good. Just my .02 worth.<br><br>Paul
02-18-2003 | 04:50 PM
#7
I was banned per my own request for speaking the name Pelosi
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From: Bristol Michigan
Re:K&N Air Filter
Mine went in right out of the box, haven't had it a year yet. When I found the soot, I thought maybe the exhaust got by a seal and was getting into the intake when my turbo gave. The turbo didn't come apart though, and was rebuilt.
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02-19-2003 | 08:38 PM
#8
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Re:K&N Air Filter
I switched to K&N at 38K mi. Worked offroad (construction, dirt roads, high humidity in mtns), so paper filters were clogging every 2 months or less. Had a constant layer of grey-white 'fuzz' on the turbo inlet w/oem filters. Now w/the K&N, turbo & plenum is clean as new (100K mi on K&N, cleaned 3 times). I am very careful about oiling it though. Was surprised to have the parts guy at the dealer try to sell me a K&N. Figured Dodge would gripe about that.<br>BTW - the filter did nothing for power (at least I could feel). Just tired of changing filters constantly. Oiled/cotton type media may not trap 99.9999% of dust like some filters, but I see them a lot in construction equipment - which sees pretty severe use. My truck is stock, so not pulling airflow like some guys though -<br>just my .02...<br>-Scott
02-20-2003 | 09:54 AM
#9
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From: Gaston OR
Re:K&N Air Filter
I've run K&N for almost 10 years with no adverse results and oil analysis that show that the K&N is doing it's job. I too have noticed a slight oily build up and cleaned them with Q tips. I just switched to Old Smokeys BHAF mount with my K&N and I am 2000 miles from my next oil change and analysis - I will report my results. I will then switch to a "Green" High Performance Air Filter and repeat the tests and results after the oil change after that.<br><br>I can tell you that my '93 smokes less runs cooler (Egt's) and responds quicker with Old Smokeys BHAF mount. It is however louder - this is easy to overcome with the volume control and some good CD"s in theCD changer ;D ;D<br><br>If interested you can read more about "Green" Air Filters at www.greenfiltersusa.com<br><br>Bob
02-20-2003 | 11:33 AM
#10
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Re:K&N Air Filter
not necessarily on the same subject, I saw some guy was offering a mandrel bent intake pipe with a K&N on the end, I am wondering if any of you guys have that and if you can put a BHAF on instead of the Knarly&Nuisance.<br>paul
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