Anyone try the K&N replaceable engine air filters?

[Sgt Badlands]

I ordered and installed one of these for $20. Would typically buy a Motorcraft but they are $10-$15 more.
Anyone try these before? Suppose to be good for 18k miles.

https://a.co/d/gVPUIkm

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[Russ.Cere]

I went with the Mishimoto dry washable filter. Needed a new one and figured I'd throw a prefilter bag over it as I am pretty rough on the bronco.

Mishimoto Powerstack Air Filter, Ford Bronco 2.3L/2.7L 2021+ | Mishimoto

 

[Lak34ers]

I ordered and installed one of these for $20. Would typically buy a Motorcraft but they are $10-$15 more.
Anyone try these before? Suppose to be good for 18k miles.

https://a.co/d/gVPUIkm

I did the K&N oiled filter. You can find it for less than $50.

 

[HighVelocity]

Should be fine, just stay away from the stupid oiled ones.

 

[kr_1315]

Nothing wrong with the K&N oiled filter. I have used them in every vehicle I have owned since 1990. Mustangs, Explorers, F150, G35, etc. Replaced the stock one in my Bronco 21,000 miles ago.
Follow the directions when cleaning and reoiling. Simple actually.

 

[MyATV]

Suppose to be good for 18k miles.

I suppose it depends on your driving environment and how much off-roading you do. I changed mine around 15K and could tell it should have been changed sooner. I will probably at least check it every 10K now.

 

[V1Rotate]

Should be fine, just stay away from the stupid oiled ones.

Especially assuming you do any offroading or anything in the dust

 

[rdg04578]

Nothing wrong with the K&N oiled filter. I have used them in every vehicle I have owned since 1990. Mustangs, Explorers, F150, G35, etc. Replaced the stock one in my Bronco 21,000 miles ago.
Follow the directions when cleaning and reoiling. Simple actually.

You have had better luck then I have . Personally I have had several issue with ford mass air sensors getting fouled out and failing due to oiled filters--for me not worth the risk given the minimal if any gain from using an aftermarket filter--especially with a turbo and not to mention the less efficiency for filtering dust in off road situations

 

[Russ.Cere]

If you're bashing around in mud and dust you should look at something with a loose filter arrangement and add a prefilter bag. This is my oem basically every other weekend. The fins are so tight cleaning wasn't super effective.

 

[Sgt Badlands]

Especially assuming you do any offroading or anything in the dust

Im not a fan of oiled air filters.

 

[Diller]

I'm running the K&N oilled filter in mine. I've been running K&N oilled filters in all my vehicles for 40 years, and never had an issue.

 

[thegoatman]

Should be fine, just stay away from the stupid oiled ones.

Why

 

[Brian_B]

Why

If you over oil them they may foul your MAF

They have been shown to not be as effective at filtration as a paper filter until they have some time on them. But they do have less air intake restriction when clean - so it’s a trade off

I’ve run them for years and never had an issue. Just remember to service them when you change your oil.

To people like @Russ.Cere who are hard on filters - K&N can be cleaned in the field easily. But to most other people’s point - you could also just carry a spare paper filter as well. And I won’t deny they do let more dust pass than a paper filter, although I don’t know if that has a measurable effect on longevity or maintenance.

Back in the day running a K&N used to be fairly noticeable on a car - a bit of a bump in MPG or performance. Today I don’t think that’s as true. I still run them mostly because I still have the first cleaning kit I bought and haven’t made a dent in that oil supply- it must be a lifetime can. And they have done well be me, and it’s one less thing I need to remember to get at Napa when it’s time for that oil change.

 

[thegoatman]

If you over oil them they may foul your MAF

They have been shown to not be as effective at filtration as a paper filter until they have some time on them. But they do have less air intake restriction when clean - so it’s a trade off

I’ve run them for years and never had an issue. Just remember to service them when you change your oil.

To people like @Russ.Cere who are hard on filters - K&N can be cleaned in the field easily. But to most other people’s point - you could also just carry a spare paper filter as well. And I won’t deny they do let more dust pass than a paper filter, although I don’t know if that has a measurable effect on longevity or maintenance.

Back in the day running a K&N used to be fairly noticeable on a car - a bit of a bump in MPG or performance. Today I don’t think that’s as true. I still run them mostly because I still have the first cleaning kit I bought and haven’t made a dent in that oil supply- it must be a lifetime can. And they have done well be me, and it’s one less thing I need to remember to get at Napa when it’s time for that oil change.

There’s no MAF on this truck. So there’s no issues there.

yeah it think he should be running a sock over that filter.

 

[HighVelocity]

Why

As @Brian_B covered; they are known sensor killers and they let more crap through than they stop.

I used to use them back in my muscle car days in the 90's and learned real quick from the 'old timers' that had been there, done that, they aren't worth the squeeze. Lots of carb and plug problems. Both of which I experienced. They like to clog jets, even bare stock before ever being re-oiled. I can imagine fuel injectors don't fare much better.

When I turned wrenches in a hot-rod shop I saw plenty of them and being the low man on the totem pole, got tasked with cleaning up after their mess.

I've seen them get so clogged with dirt in my and others Jeeps they choked the engine. (In fairness, I've seen paper filters do this too.) The K&N seemed to attract the dirt much faster though.

I'm also beyond the point in my life where I want to spend a day cleaning the stupid thing, letting it dry, then making a mess out of reoiling it. Paper filters aren't going to bankrupt me every 30k-ish.

So, no, I don't like them.

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