Feed back on air filter?

I've used K&N for years on 3 different cars and can't imagine why you've heard to steer clear.

The only issue I've ever heard of is over-oiling them to the point that you foul your MAF sensor...

whitesco said:

The only issue I've ever heard of is over-oiling them to the point that you foul your MAF sensor...

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That’s actually the reason I was told to stay away.

Don't over oil it and you will be fine. I have had them in many different cars and never an issue. I have actually had them in every car but my very first one. I personally just like the convenience of never having to buy filters after you get the K & N. I use the stock filter that came with the car during cleaning intervals. I let mine sit for 24 hrs to dry after cleaning and then let it set for 12 after reoiling. I make sure to wipe off an excess oil before reinstalling in the car.

Fair enough. That's easy enough to avoid, and the improved breathability, especially after a few miles, along with the permanent nature of it makes it one of the first things I do when I get a new car.

I dropped the K&N into my old Jetta right out of the box and should have noticed that it was heavily oiled...sure enough I had a CEL shortly thereafter but a good soaking of MAF cleaner and and cleaning/reoil of the filter fixed it. Never had any other issues with 2 Explorers, that Jetta, and my Passat.

A K & N cannot filter better and let more air in. It's impossible. I'd rather go with a Mann paper filter.

Yeah, if you stick the K&N filter in a pillowcase and swing it around you can get a lot of the extra oil off. Should probably clean the MAF a while after installing/reoiling though.

The way a K&N Filter works is by the oil. The dirt and dust sticks to the oil, instead of being filtered by thick paper. The air slips through the K&N easily as the dirt and dust is left behind. I'd like to see some proof of this though.

ctobio said:

A K & N cannot filter better and let more air in. It's impossible. I'd rather go with a Mann paper filter.

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OK, for some reason your post piqued my curiousity. Not being one to shy away from admitting I can learn something new, I did quick Google search for independent data (K&N's well publicized charts are recused in for obvious reasons). Results are quite interesting:

http://maintenance.autoblog.com/2005/09/07/how-well-do-k-n-air-filters-work/

http://duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

http://www.searchforparts.com/important_articles/k&n_vs_amsoil_air_filter.php

whitesco said:

OK, for some reason your post piqued my curiousity. Not being one to shy away from admitting I can learn something new, I did quick Google search for independent data (K&N's well publicized charts are recused in for obvious reasons). Results are quite interesting:

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I've read those studies as well. The K & N filter I have for my Passat is sitting in a box in the garage for that very reason. There is no advantage to me using oiled gauze filters, and some serious potential drawbacks.

K&N debate aside are there any significant differences between paper filters??

deusexaethera said:

There are lots of things that don't work right if you do it wrong.

Here are some pics of my old and new K&N filter from when I changed it out last fall. (The old one is sitting in the new one's bag, letting the oil cure like it originally did when it was manufactured.)

Notice how nothing got through the dirty side of the gauze, because the clean side isn't stained at all.

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That is pretty gross, but reassuring, haha.

www.germanfilters.com I just place my order and replace the filter every 20K miles. Very simple.

The only paper I use is tissue and toilet paper on myself. Other than that, I get real oil and air filters by K&N.

Magic Cucumber,

Read this thread @ TDIClub. They all convince that OE/OEM AF paper best than aftermarket.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=179868

Mann Filter for sure

Guys,

Check this out @ TDI Club. TDIers convince that OE/OEM paper AF are better than any
aftermarket AF.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=179868

Magic Cucumber said:

That’s actually the reason I was told to stay away.

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Hi,

There's a good thread about wrt this subject.

Here's the link: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=179868

:lol:Have you guys seen the outstanding discussion at TDIclub.com on this?

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=179868