BAN K-N oil filters

I SMH and wonder, how do we get it across that K-N oil filters are the %$#@! Ok, Maybe make this a sticky so those new may see this when searching, so those will find out it's not the oil filter they should be using, Period! Nuff said.

 

Hear of another failure?

 

I suspect that what we learn of here n this site, represents less that 5%of the actual failures experienced out there. I think K&N are riding on the success of their air filters which so many swear by. I just threw mine out. It worked fine. But I can't deal with waiting for it to A"AIR" dry before I can use the bike. I went back to OEM for air filters.

Reality of the issue is, so long as they sell these things and make a profit, they will continue producing and selling them. K&N does not give a rats ass about customer satisfaction based on what I have read here.

I looked at their oil filters not truly understanding what they were all about. Did not take me long to learn they are shit.

 

I think their air filters suck as well, would not put either in my trash can.

 

I put a Fram air filter on the dumpster out back last week and it improved throttle response but there's a lot more intake noise

 

I was going to give an opinion on Fram but re-read my post and guess I left that out. No need now. You covered it fairly well my friend.

 

my k+n air filter on my car works ok as long as its cleaned and has fresh oil on it. I do not use k+n oil filters, but napa platinum. I would however suggest some of the k + n oil filter problems are failure to install correctly. I don't like the oil filter media used in K+N. This is the worst place to be cheap on. oil filter fails-no engine-no bike.

 

Yea, I must confess, I too have a KN air filter, in the VFR, my bad. But since I have used them since day one on most of what I drive and ride with no ill effects, I don't have a concern. Yea, you'd think from making a fairly decent air filter IMO, they could get a handle on their oil filters even though they are made by some other firm, guess not. That being said if a certain header comes to fruition, I'm going to give the ole Piper cross a go.

 

a chip monk ate my piper cross-they suk-do not waste your dough-the stock air filter types happen to be the best.

 

AM. I can't say I have had any performance issues with their air filter. None I am aware of at least. My sole problem with their air filters is having to wait for them to air dry when cleaning. I have said for quite a while now that when the cleaning and oil supplies in out, I would trash the K&N and return to OEM. That happened not long ago. With the OEM, you can stretch the life of them by gently clearing the surface dirt off them and replacing. Just remember to blow the air against the normal flow of air. Otherwise you are just you are just forcing the debris more into the filter. Have done this for decades with my cars and trucks.

 

Funny girl-- have had the air filter for 5 years now with absolutely no complaints.
From day one used OEM and a few times wix from O'Rileys.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

BTW all. If you switch from EOM air filters to K&N, don't throw away that ring gasket that goes between the throttle body and air element. You don't need it for the K&N but if you want to change back, you can't get that ring. You have to order the whole plastic lowe assembly.

 

Great, now I find this. I pulled it out of my bike. It was/is stuck into the groove. I guess I'll stick with the K&N then...

 

If you K&N was sealing fine with that gasket ring in there, I would just continue. It just there to prevent unfiltered air form entering the engine on the harder plastic frames of the OEM paper elements. In any event, hang onto it. I had to bastardize something to make a seal for mine recently when I switched back to OEM filters.

 

The K&N oil filter failures seem mostly to be caused by improper installation. Did some work for this oufit's original namesake owner a shitload of years ago. (George Moss) "Moss Seal Co" Houston.. National ORings/Parker-Hannifin ect.

Using too much torque on an Oring that is not lubed is not a good idea. Deformation is not gonna be far behind. Besides the many sizes of ORings from 40' dpwn there are also many many compounds and durometers.

George was an interesting guy. He was based in Holland and was the bossman of Parker-Hannifin.. Built a sailboat there, took an early out and sailed solo around the world. Landed in the Newport Beach area of SoCal, sold the boat and bought the National ORing franchise for Texas. George was a graduate of Sewanee. I asked him one day if he didn't find Orings in general to be sort of boring. He told me no, since they were gonna build him another sailboat.

Gotta go with Tink on the K&N air filters. I have one on the mach 1 91 and another type on a 36mm Mikuni on a Yamaha SR500. I wash mine with a dilute mixture of Purple Power and water. ( Get it from Walmart...Where else?) Drying both with a hair dryer is a POC.

Oiling the thing is easy too if ya don't think salad dressing when applying.

Another biggie is where ya live and ride mostly. Just as an example comparison, The dust levels in the PNW ( love those acronyms) and the same in places like West Texas or the greater Midwest.

 

We spend a buncha money on a bike we fall in love with. The bike is our escape from the insanity of "the world". Nobody wants anybody else even touching our bikes. It is an extension of our mind and body. Then, some of us (not me) decide to "save" a coupla bucks and buy an "off brand" filter for what we spent a bunch money on. Does that really make sense? REALLY?? I use OEM filters on my Honda bike and car. They work. They cost a couple bucks more. I sleep at night and don't worry about them. My investment in my own sanity is safe and works great.

I say, let the folks buy known junk. At least we know who is becoming extinct through Darwinism. We can't fix stupid. Honda makes good stuff.....including filters. The extra cost is worth the peace of mind.

Exception: I have used K&N air filters for competitive track use. I knew I was using up an engine fast anyway so any real or perceived competitive advantage was worth it. Never had an air filter problem. For track use I used OEM oil filters. No problems there. Oil is just the equivalent of blood. Don't let your blood get f-cked up......