I have been thinking of getting a K&N for my 99 5.4L, but after hearing about posts from a bud I have second thoughts. Another website similar to F150Online but for Isuzu had posts stating that the K&N did not filter microscopic dust as well as the factory paper element. The poster stated that after installing the filtercharger, he pulled the filter off and ran his finger inside the air plenum, only to find the inside was coated with fine dust. Does anyone have any input on this, or is this a fluke?

 

This is true, K&N's give up some effeciency to get more air flow. The other thing is that if you don't get enough oil on the filter you will let air through. But then too much oil means that you will mess up your MAF sensor.

If you want the best in effeciency stick with a top quality paper filter and just change it more often, (6 months or so)

The oil wetted foam filter are better in effeciency, and still flow more air than a stock paper, but I know of no one that makes them in the cone style.



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Lube-Direct


New Lubrication Forums

 

Will this fine dust have a negative impact on the longevity of my engine or the longevity of anything else? I've been considering a FIPK but this news is giving me second thoughts!

RCL


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2000 XLT 4.6 V8 5speed 4x4 RC SB Amazon Green

Modifications:
K&N
Mobil 1
Magnum Deflecta-Shield



[This message has been edited by RCL (edited 09-05-2000).]

 

Buddy of mine at work has one on his Chevy pick up with a 350 engine. Has 170 thousand miles on it with no problems.

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1998 ext cab 4x4 4.6 auto
K&N Gen11, Superchip, fiberglass tonneau cover
Borla cat-back exhaust

 

I had the K&N filter on my truck and recently decided to clean it. Big mistake!

I was very careful not to over oil per the K&N instructions. A few hundered miles later my engine started to sputter at idle and actually cut-out at highway speeds. I cleaned the maf sensor with windex as described in this forum and everything was fine. A few hundred miles later - same thing. I cleaned it for the last time and reinstalled a paper element.

The question is how much oil is enough. To little and you risk engine damage. To much and you clog up your maf sensor. I think they should prepackage the oil in the right quantity for each cleaning!


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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, white/sliver, SC, ORP, 5.4 (FQR 8/99) running Mobil 1
Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt Nerf Bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, K&N Filter, Carbon Fiber Bug Gaurd and rigged the fog lights too.

On Order: Supercrew 4x4 Lariat, Black, 5.4 and all the goodies.
Planned mods: 305/70/16 ATS, AR Atlas 16x8, Dual Exhaust, Toneau Cover, Expedition Console Mod and Smitty Bilt Tube Steps.

Another great Ford truck site -www.fseries.com

Truck Pictures




[This message has been edited by kkirt1 (edited 09-06-2000).]

 

I switched back to paper filters too...I just didn't feel any performance gain with the K&N so I switched back.

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'99 F150 SC, 4x2, Oxford white, flareside, 5.4,
bodyside mouldings, Snuglid hard tonneau, airbox and fresh air mods.
Duraliner drop-in (gave up on the Penda Nascar). Gibson Supertruck. Ford 2-piece bra. Catch-All floor mats. Image tail light covers. B-Quiet sound dampener in rear of cab. **** pile rug protecting spare tire (Raoul made me enter this)
No door cracks yet at 13K!!!

 

I still use mine in both my F150 qnd my 1993 Aerostar. As far as long term effects I have 210,000 on the Aerostar and have cleaned the MAF once. The engine still burns no oil. I used to pull a 22 foot trailer with it hence the K N filter. The F150 has had a K N for 45,000 and my lease is due at the end of this month. I will take the filter out clean it and put it in my new truck. I have cleaned the Aerostar filter a number of times and had it in my 89 Aerostar for at least 100,000 KM as well.

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98 F150 XLT SC 139" WB 4.6L Automatic 3.55 Rearend Tow Package Toreador Red /Tan 5 Star Lariet Style 16" Wheels 255/70/16 OWL Goodyear AP Tires
Mods K&N Filter, Ranch SportLid Fiberglass Toneau
Tow 31FT. Glendette Deluxe Camper Trailer

 

These filters do a good job on particulate matter. No filter will remove gasious contaminents otherwise they would stay wet from removing humidity from the air. Don't be scared off by the nay sayers. I like my K&N Filtercharger and I can feel the difference in power.

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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...

 

ccarlyle,

After reading your post I couldn't stand it. I had to go look. And sure enough, there was that thin coat of extremely fine dust on the inside of the ducting down stream of the filter. Can't have that! The stock filter is now residing in my air box.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, Torsion bars cranked up 2.5 turns. Needs one more door.

 

So gang, What's the verdict?
Back to Motorcraft or stay with K&N?

Does anyone know if these micro particles will eventually yield negative results?

 

Has anyone tried to contact K&N about this to find out what the deal is?

I would like to hear what they would have to say about the quality of filtration of their filters.

I am the type of person who buys a vehicle and keeps it at least 10 years. Does anyone think that letting that much dirt into your intake will prematurly wear the engine?

 

Do those of you with the paper filter see dust as well?

On my old car, there always managed to be some dust on the intake side of the airbox.

 

Geez. I'm now itching to take my filter off and check downstream of my K&N. I don't remember if the airway had fine particles in my previous vehicle, which used a regular paper filter.

As for more power, yeah I don't feel any difference. The outcome of this discussion will influence my decision to try a FIPK.

RCL


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2000 XLT 4.6 V8 5speed 4x4 RC SB Amazon Green

Modifications:
K&N
Mobil 1
Magnum Deflecta-Shield

 

I was still debating getting a K&N filter, and was wondering how much of the fine dust it would keep out. I live out in the country and as dry as it is right now, I figured that some of that dust would get sucked in with a K&N. With the paper filter, mine is as clean as new. I'm convinced that it's NOT a good idea in MY situation. Thanks.

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'97 F-150 Lariat Ext. Cab 4X4

• White/Silver
• 4.6L, Auto.
• Tinted Windows/Bedmat/Toolbox/Lund Bug Deflector
• 265/75/16 BFGoodrich on polished 16x8 AR-136's
• Cat-back Dual Exhaust
• Polar Bear Grille Guard

[This message has been edited by Flatlander (edited 09-08-2000).]

 

I just checked my K&N filter yesterday, not a spec of dust on the filtered side of the airbox. It's been 10k miles so far, and there have been some dust storms, so perhaps those with dust have a leak somewhere?