K&N Warning for all those who think "Drop in"
over-oiling is something the end user is cautioned against and applies to all oil-based filters; not just k&n. i always gently press some clean lint free paper towels against the filter to absorb any extra oil off the element and ensure it hasn't been over-oiled.
cleaning the MAF takes about 1 minute (just a spray) once the intake is apart. you got taken for a bit of a ride unless your mechanic spent alot of time diagnosing the issue...
cleaning the MAF takes about 1 minute (just a spray) once the intake is apart. you got taken for a bit of a ride unless your mechanic spent alot of time diagnosing the issue...
Originally Posted by rcdash
over-oiling is something the end user is cautioned against and applies to all oil-based filters; not just k&n. i always gently press some clean lint free paper towels against the filter to absorb any extra oil off the element and ensure it hasn't been over-oiled.
cleaning the MAF takes about 1 minute (just a spray) once the intake is apart. you got taken for a bit of a ride unless your mechanic spent alot of time diagnosing the issue...
cleaning the MAF takes about 1 minute (just a spray) once the intake is apart. you got taken for a bit of a ride unless your mechanic spent alot of time diagnosing the issue...
Originally Posted by K2bordr03
So my story begins roughly 7 months ago when i purchased a K&N drop in filter for my 01 Pathfinder, about 4-5 days later my "check engine" lamp comes on, so i go down and have the car diagnosed. i was told i prolly have a "bad" o2 sensor 
and not to worry about it. So they clear the code and all is well for about 5 months and light comes back on again, same issue of o2 sensor. 2 months later the tranny stops shifting under full throttle and keeps hitting the Rev limiter on the vehicle and causes it to spaz out. Check engine comes on yet again. So i took the Car to a Nissan mechanic ( not working for nissan, but worked on Nissan's for 30 years) and get a call telling me that the car runs great now all he had to do was pull out the K&N filter and clean the Mass Air sensor of the oil from the K&N filter. this cost me $350 and i seriously doubt i will see anything from K&N's claims department. this filter was straight out of the box and straight into the filter box. For all those who don't know, this is the same exact filter for 350Z. I bought one for my Z before my pathfinder had the problem and about a day after i installed it in the Z my "check engine" light popped on. Not sure if you guys back K&N, but i can tell you from personal experience i will never use another K&N filter ever again. A $50 filter just ended up costing me alot more than a lifetime of paper filters and for ~5hp i think i can live without the extra expense added. My mechanic has also told me he has seen this from K&N and informed them of it only to be blown off, as it is apparently a known problem that they wont admit.
and not to worry about it. So they clear the code and all is well for about 5 months and light comes back on again, same issue of o2 sensor. 2 months later the tranny stops shifting under full throttle and keeps hitting the Rev limiter on the vehicle and causes it to spaz out. Check engine comes on yet again. So i took the Car to a Nissan mechanic ( not working for nissan, but worked on Nissan's for 30 years) and get a call telling me that the car runs great now all he had to do was pull out the K&N filter and clean the Mass Air sensor of the oil from the K&N filter. this cost me $350 and i seriously doubt i will see anything from K&N's claims department. this filter was straight out of the box and straight into the filter box. For all those who don't know, this is the same exact filter for 350Z. I bought one for my Z before my pathfinder had the problem and about a day after i installed it in the Z my "check engine" light popped on. Not sure if you guys back K&N, but i can tell you from personal experience i will never use another K&N filter ever again. A $50 filter just ended up costing me alot more than a lifetime of paper filters and for ~5hp i think i can live without the extra expense added. My mechanic has also told me he has seen this from K&N and informed them of it only to be blown off, as it is apparently a known problem that they wont admit.
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My dealership actually told me not to use K&N filter for this very specific reason before buying the car.
This is the first time I've ever known a dealership to tell me something factual.
This is the first time I've ever known a dealership to tell me something factual.
I have the dropped in filter for over 10,000 miles and no service engine light or any noticeable issues. The issue does come from over oiling and sometimes they tend to come like that from the factory. Cleaning the MAF takes about a minute. I had the same issue with my volant on my other vehicle but cleaned the MAF and cleared up the service engine light.
It's no surprise or secret that oiled filters can foul up the MAF. That's why owners manuals usually tell you to use the OEM paper filters...
By the way you can get MAF cleaning spray for about $5-6 at any car parts store.
By the way you can get MAF cleaning spray for about $5-6 at any car parts store.
I've heard of this from various shops as well, recommending me not to install K&N drop in because of the oil getting on the MAFS. I've been using the K&N Drop-in for about 15k now and only a couple of check engine lights.
I think the oil on the filter right out of the box is already over-oiled for our cars. I'm going to take it out and clean it, then re-oil it but with less oil.
I think the oil on the filter right out of the box is already over-oiled for our cars. I'm going to take it out and clean it, then re-oil it but with less oil.
i do what was stated above i have the popcharger now cone shaped and i oil then run lent free towels lightly where the oil might build up thicker and ive never had a problem. Had a k&n on my silv. ss for 75k miles and never had a problem at all.
Oil on the MAF and the resulting CEL's is a "somewhat" common problem with the after market filters.
I find the paper filters flow just as good as the after market filters as long as they are changed out frequently.
And paper keeps the inside of your engine much cleaner too.
I've opened up so many plenums it's disgusting. And the only time I find thick, sluged up muddy oil in them is when an aftermarket filter is used. (I must qualify this by saying not all aftermarket filters let in a lot of dirt.)
OTOH The paper filters don't stop the oil from the PCV but at least it always keeps the plenum and engine free of the incomming dirt.
I find the paper filters flow just as good as the after market filters as long as they are changed out frequently.
And paper keeps the inside of your engine much cleaner too.
I've opened up so many plenums it's disgusting. And the only time I find thick, sluged up muddy oil in them is when an aftermarket filter is used. (I must qualify this by saying not all aftermarket filters let in a lot of dirt.)
OTOH The paper filters don't stop the oil from the PCV but at least it always keeps the plenum and engine free of the incomming dirt.
Last edited by Hydrazine; Mar 15, 2007 at 05:51 PM.
Originally Posted by davidf
Can you use the K@N without oil? I think part of the prob. is the MAF is directly behind the filter. Just clean the filter and don't use oil.
My K&N is fine. I'm @ 25000 on it, and cleaned and re-oiled it last month.
Read the instructions carefully when re-oiling too. Do not oil both sides, only the dirty side (the outside, the side facing away from the intake). If you oil the inside, you will almost definitely get oil on your MAF.
I have had a k+n filter on 4 of my vehicles, 02 stratus coupe v6, 96 mustang
v6, 01 dakota V8, 93 mazda 626 v6-never had a problem and they were on
them for years at a time-but not all of them had sensors mounted in the
same position as the 350z-i have never been one to overoil the filters
either-just a light coating that makes a consistent red film over the filter
surface that does not drip after-and if i did i would use my finger and wipe
excess over the rubber areas to keep it moist-(i have seen the rubber part
dry out after about 5-6 years and fall apart on some of my customers cars)
i have popcharger on my Z and oil it the same way
v6, 01 dakota V8, 93 mazda 626 v6-never had a problem and they were on
them for years at a time-but not all of them had sensors mounted in the
same position as the 350z-i have never been one to overoil the filters
either-just a light coating that makes a consistent red film over the filter
surface that does not drip after-and if i did i would use my finger and wipe
excess over the rubber areas to keep it moist-(i have seen the rubber part
dry out after about 5-6 years and fall apart on some of my customers cars)
i have popcharger on my Z and oil it the same way
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