Interesting air filter info

[RF Overlord]

We just rented an '04 Taurus for the week...(don't ask...but no, the Blackbird's not broken...)

Being that I'm a certifiable motor-head (OK Marty and/or Todd, I'll say it for you: "geek"), I always like to look at the owner's manual for any car I rent...in the section on common part numbers, under the air filter specs, it says, and I quote (emphasis mine): "Do not use oil-impregnated air filter elements. Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe engine damage. The customer warranty may be voided for any damage to the engine if the correct air filter element is not used."

I know the Marauder manual doesn't say anything like that, and I've never seen that kind of warning before, but I wonder what the K&N folks have to say about this...?

[1 BAD 03 MM]

I agree RF. Maybe there have been a signifcant amount of warranty claims. I know you surf over on BITOG, have you seen the airflow/filtration test that someone did, pretty interesting. If not here it is.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

[TripleTransAm]

Does K&N make cigarette filters too? ;)

[1 BAD 03 MM]

I hear they flow twice as much while filtering 1/2 as much. I think they are OEM on Camel's, Pall Mall's and Lucky Strike's.:beatnik: :lol:

Seriously though, after investigating this pretty heavily, (wife thinks I'm crazy) I have come to the conclusion that for me, I'll stick with the stock paper filter, and change it every 12,500 mi. (If it flow 30% more, engines getting 30% more dirt in it. IMO)

[vegasmarauder]

Some of this came from people who were over oiling their oil impregnated filters (k&N's). Some of the oil would actually fly off and get into the airflow and hit the MAF sensor. Ford's are right next to the airbox so it becomes an issue. Gum up the MAF sensor with oil residue and the car runs very strange and bad! You take it to the dealer and he puts a new MAF sensor on it, but if the oiled air filter is left in the problem returns again.

[prchrman]

I always like to look at the owner's manual for any car I rent...RF you crack me up, willie

[Ross]

Well, let's suppose for the sake of argument that a paper filter is just better than an oiled one. Does anyone make a disposable, conical, larger paper filter comparable to the K&N?

[Agent M79]

Cars come with manuals?

[gonzo50]

Cars come with manuals?Yea, should be the owners manual or instructional manual.

[Smokie]

More air flow = more dirt. It requires no testing just common sense. :)

[ChuckB]

HI RF,

Great Subject. I've spent the last 3 years in the hard disk drive industry designing micro filtration systems. Clean - yah i mean clean 0.01um is the target current based on fly heights. anyway also being a car "nut" the filter was a natural cause for investigation.

i read thru the link provided and tend to agree with about 70% or so. It starts to fall apart when the testing turned to using a second filter to "catch what the first filter missed". Big boo boo - not only changes pressure drop but modifies flow patterns which in turn changes time to clean up - a primary parameter in system effeciency. the real only may to measure this is with a laser particle counter. enough engineering jargon...

my take (and i use K&N on every vehicle i own) is 2 fold.

In "normal -5/85 degC and 20-65% relative humidity" condition the oiled filters are as good and better value based on overall life per $ than the paper with a longer service life (between changing or cleanings).

In Hot / humid conditions / or applications with higher flow (Big HP) and the stock sized filter the oiled filter(s) are significantly worse. oil migration (however sparingly put on) will inevidibly happen. Possibly screwing with the MAF (in TB Injected applications) and leaving the filter with a lower effeciency. Stay with paper or other composite in these conditions.

[RCSignals]

I agree RF. Maybe there have been a signifcant amount of warranty claims. I know you surf over on BITOG, have you seen the airflow/filtration test that someone did, pretty interesting. If not here it is.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm


bob is the oil guy dot com :eek: :eek:

boB has a whole oil web site now?