I read a previous post about the K&N air filter:

"Open up the air cleaner intake. The hose is quite big enough, just open up the intake opening at the grill, place a deflector in front to keep objects (like large bugs) from entering & DON'T USE A K&N FILTER!!! Mega problems with the hot wire in the mass airflow sensor caused by oil contamination. I use it in my 1990 but no hot wire there. Tried them in every vehicle I own that has a hot wire in it, after about 2-3 years, oil contamination damaged the hot wire..had to replace. Wix paper filters flow more air smoother than the K&N in several lab tests and filter just as well for street use."

Has anyone else had the same problem? My Ford Dealer mechanic recommended against installing this filter for the same reason.

I installed the K&N anyway! If this is a problem is there any maintenance practice to keep it from happening?

Thanks for all replies.

 

Lerdman,
I have heard the same thing. Ford Mech here said the same thing. I have the Airaid and I'm a little worried about it as well. What's the deal on the Wix paper filters? Do they just replace the K&N filter part? Or do I have to take my Airaid off all together? I'm sure someone will help us out on this one.

------------------
2001 SuperCrew Amazon Green/Silver 5.4 4x4 Capt chairs,cd changer,Lim slip,Tow Pkg, Pw seat, BFG 33/12.5/16.5 on American Eagle AE 589 Rims, Airaid FIPK, Ravin Z55 Performance Exhaust, Sliding rear, Keyless/lojack

 

If K&N filters are so bad then why did SVT put one in the Cobra R?

------------------
99 F-150 Sport XLT Black x-cab 4.6L auto 3.55
K&N filter, dual series 40 flowmasters
Ground Force 2 in. rear drop

 

lerdman/ford outfitter,
I have read some of the same things about the K&N filters here on this site. Now I noticed you two have the FIPK right? I just have the "drop-in" replacement. Been in there about 6-7months, 15K now and no problems yet--that I know of .(Besides it's a little dirty and needs to be cleaned.)

I also have to agree with this-end-up. I have a 6x9 "cone"(open air-equivilant to the FIPK for the f-150's) on my '97 Mitsubishi 3000GT-SL. Been in there about 3 1/2 years, 25K w/only one cleaning and never had any problems with it.

Just my .02 worth

------------------
1997 F-150 Lariat SuperCab 4x4, 4.6L, aoutmatic, Towing package, K&N Filter, Custom Cat-back true dual exhaust with 2 FLOWMASTER Series 40 Delta Flows and 4" x 22" chrome tips(out the back of course).

 

lerdman, as far as the k&n causing problems...if they are cleaned and serviced correctly they shouldn't cause you any problems. Just be carefull not to put to much oil on it. This will cause problems with the MAF sensor and getting oil on it will mess things up.....

------------------
ecm747x

2001 SUPER CREW XLT, BRIGHT RED
5.4L Triton, automatic 3.55 gears limited slip
tow package
16" tires
side steps
bed extender
ford/duraliner bed liner
60/40 seats
6cd changer
moonroof
sliding rear window

Soon to come Mods...

Adding. Installing different exhaust, not sure which yet. Front grill guard. With light kit


MODS....
1) Lund x-terminator bug shield
2) Super Chip>>>>Well Worth the Money
3) Airforce One F.I.P.K.

 

I did replace my MAF at around 36K miles. It was fried out. It was replacd with another OEM unit under warranty. We don't know the cause but I have the K&N FIPK installed at the time. If this one goes out before 70-75K miles I will assume the FIPK has something to do with it.

------------------
My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

 

What are the symptoms of the MAF hot-wire going bad? Is there a way to safely clean the hot-wire? Does WIX make a cone paper filter that will fit the AirAid?

------------------
1998 F-150 SuperCab XLT 4x4 w/ 5.4L, AirAid FIPK, Gibson SS "Cat-Back" Performance Exhaust, SuperChip.

[This message has been edited by bluecrab (edited 01-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by bluecrab (edited 01-03-2001).]

 

most of the problems caused by the K&N filter are due to excessive oiling when cleaning the filter manually.
I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH ON THESE BOARDS BEFORE DROPPING ONE IN MY TRUCK!!

no problems yet 5k so far

------------------
Green and Brown
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L 4X4
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)

MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust

What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK,Tornneu cover, Tinted Rear Window
TBS, Jacobs ignition system

 

hey gaudenti,
how do you like that ASP underive pulley and Perma-Cool electric radiator fan?
Do you notice a power diffrence with them?

THANKS

------------------
Green and Brown
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L 4X4
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)

MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust

What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK,Tornneu cover, Tinted Rear Window
TBS, Jacobs ignition system

 

There is no way that you can run anything other than a K+N on a fipk. A paper filter would get wet and fail in no time.

 

I've had a K&N filter on my truck since it was only a few hundred miles old. It just passed 65,000 miles and I haven't had one problem. As has been said, just don't over-oil it when you clean it.

------------------
Danny
'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line D4-ATF trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, Perma-Cool electric radiator fan, Superchip, ASP underdrive pulley

 

No problem with mine, over 12K on it.

------------------
2000 F-150, XLT, SPORT 4X4, BRIGHT RED/DARK GRAPHITE, SUPER CAB,
SHORT BED, 5.4L, AUTO, 3:55LS, TOW PACKAGE, HD COOLING/ELECT, SKID PLATES
SPORT CLOTH SIX WAY POWER CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS, CONSOLE, SINGLE CD,
CRUISE,ESOF,REMOTE KEYLESS, FORD SNAPLESS TONNEAU COVER, FORD BEDLINER,
FORD MOLDED SPLASH GUARDS, FORD BODY COLOR CABSTEPS,
MODS: CATCH ALL FRONT MATS, LUND DEFLECTOR, FORD VENT SHADES,
GIBSON SWEPTSIDE CATBACK,
K&N GENII FIPK,
FORD HITCH COVER

NEXT: SUPERCHIP!!

 

I like them both fine. Both claim about 10 HP gain, which is significant. The first thing I noticed when I put the fan on is that the engine got a whole lot quieter...no more roaring fan noise. I must be gaining some power by not turning that fan. The pulley also made the engine a little quieter, I guess because the accessories are turning slower. Overall, the engine does seem to spin up easier (and faster) with these two mods. With all the mods I've done, there is a BIG difference.

------------------
Danny
'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line D4-ATF trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, Perma-Cool electric radiator fan, Superchip, ASP underdrive pulley