K&N filter will unscrew your plugs (says Ford)
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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K&N filter will unscrew your plugs (says Ford)
Hello everyone, here's one you can probably help me with!
Today a local Ford dealership refused to do warranty work on my '02 Lightning because it had a K&N filter. Here's the story; about 10k ago I was drivin' when the #6 cylinder plug on my lightning popped out, it somehow uncrewed itself, anyway I brought the truck to the dealer (it had the k&n filter already) an they replaced the plug, booth and coil pack that got smashed. When I asked what was the cause they told me that "every now and then for no apparent reason they will see that happen". Now 10k later the same thing happened #6 cylinder plug unscrewed itself. I brought the truck to the same dealer and they told me that they would not cover the repair because I had a K&N filter and they were know to cause this problem !!!!! I asked for an explanation and the SVT tech said " the oil in the filter acumulates on the throtlle body and finds its way inside the engine, causing the engine to lean out and detonate and that detonation made the spark plug unscrew itself ????? I have never heard such a thing in my life ... what do you guys think. Any feedback is welcomed.
Today a local Ford dealership refused to do warranty work on my '02 Lightning because it had a K&N filter. Here's the story; about 10k ago I was drivin' when the #6 cylinder plug on my lightning popped out, it somehow uncrewed itself, anyway I brought the truck to the dealer (it had the k&n filter already) an they replaced the plug, booth and coil pack that got smashed. When I asked what was the cause they told me that "every now and then for no apparent reason they will see that happen". Now 10k later the same thing happened #6 cylinder plug unscrewed itself. I brought the truck to the same dealer and they told me that they would not cover the repair because I had a K&N filter and they were know to cause this problem !!!!! I asked for an explanation and the SVT tech said " the oil in the filter acumulates on the throtlle body and finds its way inside the engine, causing the engine to lean out and detonate and that detonation made the spark plug unscrew itself ????? I have never heard such a thing in my life ... what do you guys think. Any feedback is welcomed.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2004
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From: Georgia on my mind...
I'd say they're smoking massive amounts of green leaves. Yes, an over-oiled K&N can contaminate the heated wire in a mass air flow sensor, possibly leaning the engine out. But causing detonation and loosening plugs? Good grief. I'd find another dealer.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,760
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From: Nebraska
Yep, they are just feeding you bull so you hafta pay. And that is a pretty ghey story.
One more reason to take out all your aftermarket stuff that you can before you go to a dealer, or more than likely they will find a way to blame it on that so warranty wont cover it
One more reason to take out all your aftermarket stuff that you can before you go to a dealer, or more than likely they will find a way to blame it on that so warranty wont cover it
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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I am a certified ford tech @ koons sterling Ford.
I have seen at least 4 or 5 lightnings blow plugs out of the cylinder head. Usually the threads are damaged beyond repair. A new cylinder head is the cure. The cause is certainly not the K&N air filter. If you were to over oil the filter, then drivability issues may arise. Check engine light may come on. Rich or lean codes, may be caused from the contamination of the mass air flow sensor. Maybe the factory doesn't know how to torque a spark plug properly. If I ever buy a lightning, I would be sure to check the torque on all of the plugs. Beter safe then sorry. Maybe hi boost applications will cause the plug to loosen up. I am not sure. My service manager would not void your warranty for a K&N air filter. A different blower pulley yes. An aftermarket computer chip yes. Not an air filter. Take your truck to a different dealer with no mods. Goodluck.
I have seen at least 4 or 5 lightnings blow plugs out of the cylinder head. Usually the threads are damaged beyond repair. A new cylinder head is the cure. The cause is certainly not the K&N air filter. If you were to over oil the filter, then drivability issues may arise. Check engine light may come on. Rich or lean codes, may be caused from the contamination of the mass air flow sensor. Maybe the factory doesn't know how to torque a spark plug properly. If I ever buy a lightning, I would be sure to check the torque on all of the plugs. Beter safe then sorry. Maybe hi boost applications will cause the plug to loosen up. I am not sure. My service manager would not void your warranty for a K&N air filter. A different blower pulley yes. An aftermarket computer chip yes. Not an air filter. Take your truck to a different dealer with no mods. Goodluck.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,389
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From: Fort Worth,Tx
wow i guess not all ford dealerships are created equal... the only time ive heard KN filters voiding warranties is with power strokes... people dont maintain the filters so they clog up with suit and then the turbo just keeps right on sucking and will suck the gause out of the filter then it gets gunked up in the turbo and will burn a turbo... ive seen it happen 3 times...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 293
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From: Friendswood, Texas
My dealership has no problem with the K&N filter. When they performed a filter change, they simply reminded me to make sure to clean it and re-oil. I chose just to leave the new oem filter in place. The K&N did not produce any noticible improvements for my SCrew and (IMHO) was not worth the hassle.