Do K&N cotton filters work well?

[avhed]

I have had my Protege 5 for 15,000 kilometres and just checked the filter.
There is only one streak of dirt on it. In two decades of driving ,my paper filters are always loaded up after 15,000 kilos.
I know the K&N do not work as well as the paper, and not maintaining the oil film on the K&N probably did not help, but its seems the K&N is hardly trapping anything?

 

[rednecks_r_us]

I have had my Protege 5 for 15,000 kilometres and just checked the filter.
There is only one streak of dirt on it. In two decades of driving ,my paper filters are always loaded up after 15,000 kilos.
I know the K&N do not work as well as the paper, and not maintaining the oil film on the K&N probably did not help, but its seems the K&N is hardly trapping anything?

K&N work better than the paper filter. You just have to keep the red K&N oil on them. The cotton allows better air flow and the oil is what traps the dirt.

There is a K&N drop in filter in the Mazda 6. A K&N style filter on the Protege 5 and one on my 1950 Chevy, Four K&N filters (1 for each of the carbs on my Chopper) and two K&N filters on my Kawasaki Ninja.

 

[maxchao]

Alright people, help me here. I went to advanced auto part today and they have the K&N filter for $35! Is that the right price?
And does it really make any difference in 1. performance 2. air filtering?
One more question, what is the red K&N drop?? Should I buy them along with the filter?

Josh

 

[bsuhsc]

Yea that's the right price. There is slight improvement in throttle response and mpg but not a whole lot. I'm unsure about what the red drop is but in the future you should purchase the K&N filter care service kit. It's like $12.00

 

[rednecks_r_us]

The drop in is a direct replacement for your paper filter. With the K&N its the last filter you will ever buy for your car. If you are keeping your stock intake then the drop in filter is what you will need. If you have a Cold Air Intake then the cone filter is what you will need.

 

[wiprotege5]

I've had a K&N filter in my P5 for about 35k miles now and no problems. I really couldn't notice any performance gains, I just like it because its reusable.

 

[Flash5]

I've had a K&N filter in my P5 for about 35k miles now and no problems. I really couldn't notice any performance gains, I just like it because its reusable.

basically this is the main reason to get them so u can reuse them, and maybe a bit better mpg

 

[maxchao]

OK, so I guess I will just spend that $35 and worry about the care kit later. I will see if that will get me anything other than the cool factor.
So, when you want to reuse/clean it, do you just use water? pressure water?

Josh

 

[justanothermp5]

not pressure water, the can of oil i have says to use a mild detergent and soak the filter in it, then rinse out with running water, faucet or water house, just not high pressure, then let dry and re oil and your done

 

[avhed]

I really couldn't notice any performance gains, I just like it because its reusable.

On all three of my carburetor cars, you instantly feel the lower restriction and the associated performance gain.
But on my P5 its too small to notice. Wonder why?

 

[maxchao]

not pressure water, the can of oil i have says to use a mild detergent and soak the filter in it, then rinse out with running water, faucet or water house, just not high pressure, then let dry and re oil and your done

OK got it! It sure an interesting air filter.

Josh