[Do K&N filters suck (dirt)?] - ATV Riders Forums - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, CanAm, Arctic Cat, Kymco ATVs

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Do K&N filters suck (dirt)?
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Posted by: Newbie400ex

Well it seems there is some disagreement about whether or not K&N filters actually "Filter". This is what it says on the box:

"Maximum filtration ...The oil that is held in suspension by the cotton gauze material acts to stop even the smallest dirt particles from entering your engine. As dirt builds up on the outside of a K&N filter, it acts as part of the filter media further extending the filter's service life."

hmmmm... sales pitch? I just bought one today so if anybody knows of an engine failure due to dirt or other contaminants while using one of these filters I would sure like to know about it.
One of the surest signs of filter failure is "cylinder dusting". This is where the cylinder has a dull finish to it. (me diesel mechanic uugggh

)

Posted by: Hondahacker

Yep.

B.

Posted by: toby400ex

all i know is that they catch alot of dirt, when i clean mine there is alot of build up, then i got an outerwears cover for it and it doesnt get quite as dirty.

Posted by:

If a K&N filter is maintaned properly with oil and cleaned with the proper cleaning solvant and installed properly,,it will work better than any other IMO...

Posted by: redrider ex

you are correct rico i cleaned and oiled mine before a big ride some of us exriders went on back in sept. I was so dusty that by the end of the day my 400 would not idle any more because the filter was so covered by dust that you could not even see the groves in the filter. When i got home i took off the filter and there was not even a speck of dirt in the tube going to the carb . Razerback remembers how dusty it was.

Posted by: QuadTrix6

i believe in foam, over paper any day, go with UNI especially if you ride in dusty areas..IMO

Posted by: 250rmike

there is nothing better than a K&N if it is serviced properly with the cleaning kit from K&N it will stop more than foam yet flow better

Posted by: Newbie400ex

I also use an Outerwears prefilter.

Posted by: RideRed400EX

I've had good luck with foam and K&N. It's a toss up regarding filtration but K&N definately flows better.

Posted by: 01TRX300EX

I havent had any problems with my K&N yet, except with instalation the first time, other than that its still doing good.

Posted by: Glamis400ex

A K&N properly maintained is very good. Never a spec of dirt in my intake when I service the filter.

Glamis

Posted by: Team Outlaw #34

yeah i've had mine for about 6 months and haven't had any problems with it....just make sure you are cleaning it often....

Posted by: 250rAL

No dirt in my intake tube either. The only problem I ever had was when it clogged with fine powdery snow once. Now I have an Outerwears to prevent that.

Posted by: Quadfather

I know it sounds weird, but I remember an air filter shootout in a magazine. They dynoed the bikes with different air filters, in different stages of being dirty, and their conclusion was that a K&N reached its peak performance when it was 30% dirty.

Go figure.

Posted by: R-Crazy

i have one and love it. put an outerware on it though. i have a feeling a K&N w/ an outerware is the same or close to an UNI w/o an outerware.

dave

Posted by: crookedeyemoto-x

I am running a k&n with an outerwears on it with no airbox lid, and have no complaints what so ever.

Posted by: TeamHonda400

I put a K&N filter charger kit on my quad not too long ago and it has worked flawlessly for me. As an added protection I also have the Outerwear which acts as a pre-filter for all the dirt and crud that happens to find its way into the airbox. Like others have said its important to keep up on cleaning the filter. To say the least who can beat the million mile warrantee that this company offers

Posted by: MeatHead

The only time I have ever seen a K&N not perform properly, is when it is not maintained properly. Usually they fail because someone used compressed air to blow the filter clean instead of cleaning it properly. NEVER USE COMPRESSED AIR OR HIGH PRESSURE WATER ON A K&N.

I repeat NEVER USE COMPRESSED AIR OR HIGH PRESSURE WATER ON A K&N.

Posted by: dariusld

quote:
To say the least who can beat the million mile warrantee that this company offers

I was also impressed by this, but it also says somewhere in KN's info that you can only wash it a certain number of times. I wash mine alot, so it will never make it to the million mile mark.

Posted by: wgbanks

K&N maintained properly and an Outerwears is an excellent combo. I run it with an Outerwears mod'ed airbox lid and have many hours trouble free riding.

Posted by: 2fastandfurious

Of course they let a little bit more in then stock. Thats why there better. With a precharger and the right care for one it will last more years then the quad probably.

Posted by: roostu

First Off.....K&N's are NOT PAPER, they are made of cotton fibers.................I have posted on the subject of K&N filters so much I don't have much to say...if you are really interested in what we all think about K&N's do a SEARCH!!!!

~Roost-U