Why is the k&n filters so bad? Some people say they are great in there diesels trucks and some don't like them. What causes them to trash a motor?



Chris-NM
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dogrider,

Dirt goes right thru ANY 4 layer filter on a diesel.

This test was done on this site:

SPICER Posted: 16 July 2004 at 3:47pm | IP Logged | Report Post




Diesel Addict


Group: Diesel Addict
Joined: 04 December 2003
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 302 The following is the complete test results. In order of rank from BEST performance to WORST in the categories of FILTERING EFFICIENCY, FLOW RESTRICTION, DIRT HOLDING CAPACITY and TOTAL DIRT PASSING THE FILTER DURING TEST.
SPICER wrote:
In the order of filtering efficiency the results are:
FILTER % Efficiency
AC Delco OE 99.93%
Baldwin 99.72%
No name filter (made for gas engine, 1/3 less pleats) 99.32%
AFE ProGuard 7 (73-10062), panel filter 99.23%
WIX/Napa 99.03%
Purolator 98.73%
Amsoil, new style 98.63%
UNI 97.93%
K&N 96.80%
Additionally, these 2 were tested using FINE test dust. The K&N was cleaned and retested, the AFE was the conical version:
K&N 89.85%
AFE Conical 92.33%


FLOW RESTRICTION FROM BEST TO WORST:
FILTER RESTRICTION in Inches H2O
K&N 4.54
Mystery bargain filter 4.78
AFE Pro Guard 7 Panel 4.99
Purolator 5.05
WIX/Napa 5.06
UNI 5.40
Baldwin 5.71
Amsoil 5.88
AC Delco 6.23
DIRT HOLDING CAPACITY From best to worst. This is the AMOUNT OF DIRT it took to create an ADDITIONAL 10 inches of water restriction. At that point the test is terminated.This indicates HOW LONG a filter is good before it must be cleaned or replaced.
AC Delco 573.898 grams
WIX/Napa 447.366
Purolator 388.659
Baldwin 388.154
UNI 374.638
Mystery bargain 350.402
AFE Pro Guard 7 232.516
K&N 211.58
Amsoil 196.323
TOTAL DIRT PASSING THE FILTER DURING THE TEST. This is how much dirt your engine will take in if you use the filter for the duration that would cause the filter to become "dirty" enough to need replacement or cleaning. The "Dirt Passing The Filter" is the dirt collected by the "Post Filter" during the test.
FILTER DIRT IN GRAMS PASSED
AC Delco 0.4 g
Baldwin 1.1g
AFE Pro Guard 7 1.8g
Mystery Bargain 2.4g
Amsoil 2.7g
WIX/Napa 4.4g
Purolator 5.0g
K&N 6.0g
UNI 7.9g
Note: The Purolator was reported to have a seal malfunction during the test and passed more dirt than it would have with a good seal.
Interesting. SPICER


__________________
"03 2500 HD, Kennedy Mega Filter, STOCK PAPER AIR FILTER, Oilguard Bypass, Primrose, Baldwin Oil Filter, ARE Camper Shell, Line X Liner, Westin Nerf Bars.
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Mark @ DPPI

Do you know of any good filters that would fit the K&N intake tube. I think it is 3.5 to 4 in.
Thanks Chris-NM

I have an AFE stage 2 (conical style) and it works well. It completely replaces stock air box.

Ford makes a replacement filter system for 99 to 02 7.3l useing Donaldson air filter it is a new housing and filter kit.

Same fitler stile is in all 6.0l {I.E. Donaldson} both are far better filters systems then all the washable ones. Air flow is better, filtration is better then both stock or the washable ones also.

Evidently Ford knows that even their filters are basically "defective" since now they have a new filter which they have labeled as a "performance upgrade". I am sure they save millions when they labeled it "performance upgrade" instead of RECALL!

I am sure they save millions when they labeled it "performance upgrade" instead of RECALL!

That was funny... but...

Ford DID work on the filter and housing assembly for the 7.3L through 3 design cycles before coming up with the "performance upgrade."

While the status of "recall" is usually reserved for issues that involve the potential loss of life or great bodily injury, Ford DID issue a TSB after completing the first two redesigns, and provided warranty allowance at no charge to the customer for the an upgrade to the newer designs.

In fact, Ford gave out free air filters and housing assemblies twice in three years... once after the 99 fenderwell inlet proved to be problem prone, and a newer airbox with a forward facing snorkel was designed and issued at no charge per TSB to owner's of early 99s.

Then, when that redesign proved to have a few problems of it's own, Ford tweaked the box by adding a filter holddown post, molding better lid guides, and deepening the pleats of the panel filter. Ford again made this redesign available to existing 99.5, 2000, and 2001 customers per TSB (2002's and '3s were equipped with the update at the factory).

Now, on the other hand, the customer first had to KNOW about these TSB's, and then had to ASK that the TSB be done, and sometimes had to PROVE that the TSB was necessary (by showing a lifted or torn panel filter, traces of dirt on the clean side of the box, or a box of Krispy Cremes in the morning and a case of cold ones in the afternoon to the service advisor, whatever it took).

And in this regard, you have a point... even while a "recall" might not be appropriate... considering the very expensive risk to the customer's property were the factory filtration system to fail, the filter updates probably deserved a postcard in the mail.

But then again, many owners have done much worse to their trucks intentionally, like using certain aftermarket filters that were unproven for turbocharged diesel applications.