K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 80
From: Ohio
K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ?
I am hearing rumors that engines with a K&N filter become dirty internally because they are not restrictive enough. After all you cannot see inside your engine so how do you know ? But I have heard that engines that had to be torn apart for heads or cam etc. discovered this to be true. Any thoughts ? Perhaps if it is it is from improper cleaning and reoiling of the filter ? :chevy :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (5thgeneration)
Thoughts? K & N has been selling the exact technology for years. I installed my first set on a motorcycle 25 years ago. Do you think they would have sold millions and millions of them for that many years if they were causing premature failure? I've never heard that before, and would certainly be interested in hearing other experiences, though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 80
From: Ohio
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (jschindler)
I am not saying that K&N filters are causing the engines to need to be torn apart, But I am saying that engines that were torn apart for other reasons were then discovered to have dirt inside them and had K&N filters used on them. That is the rumor. Hope this helps clarify subject. :chevy
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Euless TX
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (5thgeneration)
I've heard the motor oil gets dirty a little quicker with a K&N, but again just rumor. They have been used by so many people for so many years over so many miles, I wouldn't worry much about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,981
Likes: 0
From: Houston,Tx. USA
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (5thgeneration)
I'm using two K&N's, but change the oil at 3000; The oil is extremely clean to the point a friend said he would actually put it in his truck after I drained it!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (yellowy2kc5)
K&N does not filter the smaller particles as well as the paper filter as I remember the test data I have seen from testing done in the UK. It will take more dirt prior to clogging as compared to a paper filter though. Don't know about Donaldson, never seen data on that one.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (5thgeneration)
Been using K@N filters for years without problems. Motors I have taken down showed no sighns of dirt. I also check my intake tube every time I clean my K@N I have found no dust in intake tube:cheers:
One of the reasons you have an oil filter is to collect dirt in the oil :cheers:
One of the reasons you have an oil filter is to collect dirt in the oil :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans, LA
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (5thgeneration)
I've heard of some people having problems with dirty mass air flow sensors as a result of putting too much oil on the filter, but never heard of any engine problems.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (5thgeneration)
This is basically :bs . I have used K&N filters for many years and have not had a problem. A tear-down of one engine showed it looking like new after 150K miles! Use them or get a "Blackwing for even better filtering. :)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (carpe dm)
I put a K&N on my 1994 Z28 when it was new. I have since put 253,000 miles on it. I've never had the valve covers off and it still spins the rear wheels through second gear. With a mobile 1 oil change every 3-4,000 miles, I expect that I will have similar results with my C5.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: port jefferson station ny
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (daveydc5)
uhless things have changed since I was a mechanic I can't imagine how an air filter will affect engine oil or any internal engine part not directly related to the intake system. I can see an air filter affecting, intake manifolds, valves, internal cylinder head combustion chamber and possibly exhaust, but in order to have engine oil contamination you would have to have serious blow by the piston rings or scored cylinder walls. if dirt were able to pass from the intake to the internals of the engine, you would have to have a SERIOUS internal vacuum leak. the only other way is if the engine breather system is getting air from the air filter assbly. wcj
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 849
From: New Jersey
Re: K&N Filter = Dirty Engine ? (wcj)
K&N filters DO NOT filter dirt from the intake air as effectively as the stock paper filter element. This dirt will get into the engine, accelerating cylinder bore wear. Is the added wear significant? I don't know, but its not worth 5HP more for me to find out.
