Hey guys, i wasn't able to find out if this was covered or not.

I read this article on the amount of dirt let in by different air filters and K&N and Amsoil were the 2 worst. Is it plausible? I mean in the end it isn't even really worth it to get an aftermarket intake system if it's going to let in all this dirt. Im guessing it could be rather dangerous to our engines. What are your thoughts?

http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n...ilter%20Tests/

 

not the dirt that messes things up, its those that dont know how to clean/oil the filters that causes problems. known to cause issues with MAF from my experience. I switched back to good'ol paper filter until I get my intake and even then Im getting a dry filter - APEXi.

you will get mixed reactions on this one.

 

I have ran a k&n rechargable filter on my Max for 3+yrs and I clean and re-oil it every 6 months or so and I have no complaints at all, I always check the inside of the filter and touch the throttle body with a rag right before cleaning it and I know its not letting in dirt cause I dont see any.

 

: ditto

 

I ran a K&N on my B13 for over 208K miles. No problems. The engine ran perfectly, no compression loss, no oil consumption. I'd still be driving it, but a very nice lady totaled it for me....it was a very sad day. Now I'm a happy Maxima owner.

My wife's Maxima has had a K&N for over a year now (15k miles) with now issues. I've had a K&N in my Max for just a couple of months and no problems yet.

 

Over oiling the filter is a sure fire way of messing up your MAF. Properly cleaned and oiled filter should cause you zero problems. I ran a K&N for over 100K miles on my Maxima with no problems at all.

 

ya but how do you know that it's not letting in a lot of dirt into the engine?
The TB might be clean, but what about the rest of the air going into the engine?

 

if you use a K&N properly it will do nothing to your MAF

proof http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

 

Just giving my input on what I beleive/think I do not feel like tearing apart my engine just to look for some dirt........
My car acts/runs fine and like I said I have been using it since I got my car

 

I'm not saying you're wrong, but is K&N really the source you want to go to for information like this? What do you think they're going to say.

 

they also have results from an independent tester

 

I've fun K&N filters in a bunch of different cars and never had any problems. A lot of people consider K&N the best..

 

i have k&N in my car since i got it and i have no complaint. if you ask me all these filters are made by k&N everyone just put there name on it for profit sake.( thats my opinion)

 

3 different cars all with K&N....no problems

 

I agree with magdocjr that as long as you oil the filter properly, you should have no problems. I ran a foam filter supplied with my weapon-r intake and screwed two MAF sensors. I switched to AEM dryflow and have had no problems. If you operate in really dirty conditions, extra precautions should be taken on when you clean the filter.

 

take care of the filter...and it will take care of you.

 

apexi is little expensive but is top of the line. but if you buying it from berk tech and cant afford the apexi. they also got AEM filter which is dry and cleanable (better than k&n) and cost around $30 where apexi cost $75 but if you bargain with bryan he can let it go for $70 i think.

 

Guys, he's not asking if it will ruin his MAF, he's asking if it lets more dirt in.

I have seen a few independent tests done that conclude that a K&N definitely lets more dirt in than most other air filters. I have also seen several UOAs on BITOG with elevated silicon levels that can most directly be attributed to the use of a K&N filter.

Does K&N let more dirt in? I would say yes. Will this damage your engine? Tough to say - probably not if the oil is doing it's job. But it's certainly not "good" for the engine.

I used to run a K&N in my max until evidence convinced me that maybe it isn't the best idea. IMO, the very tiny benefits of a little extra air are not worth the risk of more dirt as well. I will say that with the K&N in, my car definitely "felt" more responsive and fuel mileage also seemed to be marginally better.

 

the reason most people make that assumption is they feel any high flow filter allows more air and "must in turn allow other things". i agree with everyone else that as long as its maintain properly a k&n is the way to go.

i dont have a k&n, but i'm planning on getting one today.

 

I have been using one on my '95 for 154k miles, as well as on my '03 for 40k, no problems.

Engine Oil looks clean on both vehicles, no adverse problems.

Would I buy another

Should you

 

It's not an assumption - it's been tested and the evidence is pretty conclusive.

Again, I'm not saying that a K&N will cause any appreciable engine damage when compared to another filter, but it DOES let more dirt through.

 

I've used K&N, AEM, Weapon R and other filters. They all work well as long as you clean/oil them properly and regularly.