K & N air filers

[PatStab]

We have an old 1992 American Eagle. It came with a K&N washable air filter. I have all the manuals and it states its there and still is. Tom, my husband is changing oil and stuff and pulled it out, he said its filthy. I ordered the cleaner and oil for it, should have it this week. Also wondering if we could wash it in some Dawn right now then again with the cleaner.

Everything I read says these things can last up to 1 Million miles. Tom is wondering if we should replace it with a paper filter. If we did we would have to have the top for the canister, it states it was not put on and is not supposed to be there.

I've read all the pros and cons about these things, letting dirt in the intake and also about oiling them just right. Hubby said when clean it would let in more air but he is thinking about changing it. I'm kind of if it hasn't hurt this old motorhome in 21 years why not keep it.

For now we are going to clean it and put it back, but now its got me to thinking too. So wonder if others are still running these things.

[427435]

Actually, you may not want to clean the K&N filter. It does a better job of filtering when it is dirty (smaller openings for dirt to get through).

I am very surprised that Eagle indeed used a K&N as OEM equipment. Most diesel engine suppliers review the air cleaner set-up before selling an OEM diesel engines. Perhaps Eagle's volume was so low that they were buying from a local distributor.

[FormerBoater]

(quote)Everything I read says these things can last up to 1 Million miles. Tom is wondering if we should replace it with a paper filter. If we did we would have to have the top for the canister, it states it was not put on and is not supposed to be there.(quote)

The paper element Farr filter (or Wix) is a single unit which includes the canister and the element. It will not require the purchase of anything but the filter.

Doubt very seriously if the K&N was on for 21 years.

Get an oil analysis post haste to see if your silicon levels are high.

DaveS
1998 American Eagle 40EVS

[FormerBoater]

moisheh wrote:
Toss that filter in the garbage. Can easily dust your engine and not suitable for any diesel.

Moisheh

X2....should not be used in your Eagle!

[PatStab]

My husband said if we can find a top for the canister he will change to a paper filter. I've ordered many items from Fleetwood but since this was never there wonder where to find it. I'll see if he can find a number off it. I ordered the cleaner and oil for it just in case I have to keep using it, it should be here the 18th. I'm going to have him look at my Saturn toad but you know I think it has one of those on it too after looking at the pictures of them. It's going to be sold within the next year as we got a new Caddy SRX for a vehicle and toad, he won't get the baseplate on this trip though.

I've now got 6000 miles on the engine, it said 120k when we bought it but the odometer didn't work. We ordered a new one from Fleetwood but it does not accumulate correctly and my husband thinks it might not be the correct one. Anyway that was the mileage on the last inspection sticker it had and it had set for a couple years so may be close. I've kept track with my Tom Tom and now my husband, Tom, somehow that sounds like it should be funny, has put an hour meter on it and the genny to know when to change oil. He likes those better, why I don't know. He doesn't get home but every 8 weeks. If he were home longer he could fix anything and everything that needs done on it. I've had things done like tranny fluid and filter changed, brakes checked and supposedly fluids changed in everything, new belts and some new hoses. The mechanics that have looked at it, said some of those will never go bad and they all say it has a good running engine, we have done nothing to it but fluids, belts, and hoses. Well all the radiators have been flushed but today I'm going to clean the outside good.

In his youth and for 13 years my husband was a heavy equipment operator, now a civil manager. One of the reasons he wanted this old one was he can do the repairs. He said being pre electronic it allows him to do so.

I've been driving it just a couple of years but so far the old thing has run like a charm. I'm afraid to say that out loud as it will probably blow up now!

This time he had to put on a new radiator fan motor on the genny. He just changed oil and fuel filter on it. He changed oil on the engine and going to look at the fuel filters on it too. 2 new front tires just went on 275/70 22.5 XRA2's. Over time he will fix the little things. Everything inside works. The invertor doesn't and our friend just added it to the regular electric and we added a battery minder so no issue with the batteries. Tom is going to check the water in them too.

We thought the ATS was shot and found out the huge electric cord coming in just wasn't fastened good. I bought a surge protector and hubby mounted it in the electrical box and ran wire from the ATS to it then the cord from it to the hookup. We were afraid someone would steal it as I've seen them chained to posts and everything in parks.

He is getting it ready for me and DD. We have been going to Florida for a month. I drove our other one there, to Vegas and other places. Had this one to S Texas and Florida. We are going to head out to Quartzite in January, never been there. He is home for Christmas and leaves the 7th so we will take off for maybe a month or 2, that is one place we are going and meeting up with folks we have talked to for years on another forum.

Sorry got way wordy here but DD and I love motorhoming and traveling and I have a wonderful husband who makes it possible for us. He also has taught and is teaching me so much about the motorhomes I know I am really lucky.

I told him what all of you have said and he agrees. For now I will clean the filter and see if I can find the top. If I can we will change out the filter, doesn't sound like its good and wouldn't hurt even on an old engine like this.

I'm hoping to get many miles out of the old thing and since I will be 68 shortly, kind of doubt we will buy another, well unless its a killer deal. We talked about getting a newer Eagle but hubby said everything we have done to this one seems to need done on about any older ones you buy and we sure can't afford a new one like this. It sure was quality built.

We had a leak in the plastic water tank and he patched it, did it again so today he is taking it out to see if he can fix it, if not we will buy new $318 I believe he said it is. As he said on one of these old ones if he couldn't do the work we could not afford it. But he likes doing that stuff and I love the old thing even if it doesn't have slides.

[wa8yxm]

I would use the K&N cleaner and oil on it.. They are special made just for that job.

PEP BOYS carries the cleaner kit by the way, as do some other auto-parts stores.

I used a K&N on my last towed.. I'm not quite daring enough to put one on my Workhorse though.

[noteven]

Probably the biggest risk with serviceable air filters is not following the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning.

[tinkerer]

I have seen enough independent research showing there are no performance benefits from running a K&N filter. I witnessed a fellow at a Cummins shop who's Cummins engine was dusted and ruined. His warranty wouldn't cover the expensive repair job. As a farmer Who has equipment running in extreme dust for over 10,000 hours by running the stock paper filters, I wouldn't think of running one of these filters. I don't even think they are available for machines that run in extreme dust conditions.:B

[JetAonly]

It is likely that the engine is already damaged from dust ingestion. A used oil analysis will determine how damaged it is. A paper filter will stop the damage. Obviously, it won't fix what is already done. The extent of damage is function of the miles on the engine.

Diesels are more susceptible to poor filtration because of the volume of air they consume.

Read the ISO 5011 test provided in the link. It will debunk the claims of K$N.

[PatStab]

Fleetwood left the top off the canister and stated do not put one on with this filter they put on the Eagle. My husband said to add the paper one we need the lid, now where would I find such 21 years later. I'm guessing all Eagles back then had this. Maybe Colaws would have one. I thought the canister and filter were a K&N product so am not sure if more needs replaced. Will talk to hubby more about it. He thinks it should go too, said looks like to him it would even be sucking in diesel exhaust where it is.

[Born_To_Travel]

What style filter do you have?.. If it is the stock kind that looks like a big O, Then just throw it away and replace it with a paper filter..

[FIRE_UP]

PatStab,
The K&N filter debate has gone on for decades in all aspects of motor travel. There's been numerous tests, in closely monitored conditions, that several times, have proved they do nothing for engine performance. On the motorcycle forums I belong to, they all hate them and know that todays engines, especially the highly tuned Fuel injected ones, depend on stock settings and reactions in order to function correctly.

The Jeep forum people I've been involved with have tossed them in favor of the paper units. The paper units are very well made and work quite well and, are reasonably priced. I'm not an expert, I've had them in motorcycles, motor homes, cars, trucks, and, as of yet, I've never had any inkling of engine performance enhancement and as far as any "improved gas mileage" claims, that too was never recognized.

Many folks are happy with them. I for one, never was. They, by far, to me, are not anywhere worth the money they charge for them. Your choice.
Scott

[hershey]

Banks adds the K&N air filter to their exhaust system as a routine procedure. They did so on my installation years ago on a gas MH.
I heard rumors as to the lack of filtration and did some research. Take a look at this comparison test and it will scare the socks off ya'.
K&N is nearly like no filter at all.

[PatStab]

I would think being in there 21 years its already done whatever harm. What all do you have to do to change it back?

[Born_To_Travel]

Google K&N filter reviews... You will throw that thing in the garbage..

[moisheh]

Toss that filter in the garbage. Can easily dust your engine and not suitable for any diesel.

Moisheh