K & N filter change
I purchased a 2013 GMC 3500 with a duramax diesel engine.....I filled it up, took it on a road trip down the interstate 65 miles to the next town then turned around came back and refilled it. 17.3 mp...
Forum Discussion
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I too would like to know what is so special about the K&N that takes a rocket scientist to install them correctly? :h
Just my worthless opinion here, but every filter application is different. Some drop in filters are just that and so simple a caveman could do it. The K&N filter on my 2001 Toyota 4Runner required a plastic adapter cage to make it fit properly. In this specific application, it took a little more effort than simply dropping the filter in and shutting the lid. It was real easy to mess up. Claiming improper installation covers a lot of issues, but it doesn't necessarily mean negligence by the installer. Some of the issues with oiled filters are user error in the way they are oiled. There is a fine line between enough oil to cover the filter for best dust protection and spraying enough oil on it to foul the MAF sensor. Again what is right or wrong will differ between the various different vehicles and applications.
For the people that ask why the OEMs don't use a K&N type filter if they are superior (I'm not saying that they are), there are numerous reasons why they wouldn't. As a manufacturer you have warranty concerns and part of covering your backside on that concern is to make sure that the vehicle is reasonably serviceable by the average consumer. The average consumer is not capable of or willing to properly service an oiled filter and as stated above some applications can be difficult to service properly.
I have used K&N filters in several applications with success and I have also had oil fouled MAF issues. I tend to err to the side of caution and have a habit of over-oiling the filters. I discontinued the use of such filters a few years ago either because the vehicle it was in was sold and/or I bought a newer vehicle that already had a superior filtration system from the factory. I have no desire to install these filters in any of my current vehicles. The older I get, the more I tend to leave the Pep Boys parking lot modifications to the younger generation!
