Thoughts on K&N air filters

[newprot5fan]

Hey all,

What are your thoughts on K&N air filters? When I got my P5 used, it had one in it. I am about to clean it, but heard that if you add too much oil to it, it gums up sensors, etc....

Would I be better off with a regular one?

I'd be interested in your opinions.....

 

[flash75]

I had one in my car and removed it, I didn't see any advantage using it and as you say it cn be over lubed.

Clifton

 

[newprot5fan]

I had one in my car and removed it, I didn't see any advantage using it and as you say it cn be over lubed.

Clifton

So, what if I want to go back to a paper filter..Will NAPA do? I don't have a Mazda dealership near me.

ALso, would it be a good idea to clean the MAF sensor just in case some oil got on it? If so, with what? I can't seem to find the "Mass Air FLow Sensor cleaner" that I've seen in other threads...

Thanks

 

[NCZ13]

its hard to overoil the filter, the filter turns red when its oiled, and your supposed to let it air out anyways.

id rather clean my filter every 15k miles than buy a new filter.

 

[ghettoracingkid]

I enjoyed my K&N but I had a paper filter in the garage so I can take a few days to properly clean the filter.

 

[mrpopo573]

We have K&Ns on all our cars, from our 60's muscle to our Powerstroke diesel. The performance gains are all car dependent, but the durability has always been the main thing. The filtration is great.

But, If you are unable to clean them properly, with a K&N cleaning kit, I suggest going back to paper.

 

[poison]

Actually, www.bobistheoilguy.com did a very well run study at some university, and it showed that while K&N's breathe better (how much depends on the application), they also let in a lot more fine dirt particles, especially when new (as they become more well used, and fill up with dirt, filtration improves). Whether this additional dirt matters depends on your location (how dusty is the area you operate in), how long you plan on keeping the car (3 year lease, who gives a five), and of course how good your oil filter is, etc.

If you don't plan on trying to get a couple hundred thousand miles from your car, or upgrade cars every 3-5 years, it makes no difference. But if you keep cars for a long time, the consensus on BITOG is the additional dirt is significant enough to warrant not using a K&N. In addition, K&N's advertising is 100% bulls***.

 

[newprot5fan]

Yeah, I am going to switch to a regular one. I went and got one from NAPA and tried to put it in, but it seemed a bit too small - it slide around a bit in the casing (maybe a 1/2 inch too short). Almost to the the point where it is letting unfiltered air up (almost). The K&N one is a very snug fit all the way around....

I am assuming that it is supposed to fit like the K&N one. I got the car second hand and it already had the KN in there, so I never saw the original filter and how it fit.

Is that fitting for the NAPA air filter normal?

Thanks

ps- I did read that test by bobtheoilguy - pretty crazy - you would think you want to FILTER things out with an air filter

 

[ProtegePower]

Why does the box say you only need to clean it every 50k miles? That sounded insane to me and I was planning on doing it at half that (25k).

 

[flash75]

The correct replacement air filter should fit snug just like the K & N. They must have given you the wrong filter. It will leak if it doesn't fit correctly.

Clifton

 

[newprot5fan]

The correct replacement air filter should fit snug just like the K & N. They must have given you the wrong filter. It will leak if it doesn't fit correctly.

Clifton

OK, so each aftermarket air filter I have tried to put in the P5 not fitting as snug as the K&N. I have tried NAPA, FRAM, and I just put a WIX in there. It is about a 1/4 inch too short on the end (it fits snug on the sides). It still fits meaning it doesn't expose the air box underneath, but the borders aren;t as wide and doesn't fit tight to the ends.

Is this acceptable? There is no MAzda dealer here so aftermarket is all I have. Anyone else tried a paper aftermarket air filter in these cars? If so, does it fit 100% snug?

Thanks!

 

[Psylence]

So this just applies to the box filters, right? Are the cone ones for CAI's and stuff better at keeping stuff out?

 

[bgibb68]

So this just applies to the box filters, right? Are the cone ones for CAI's and stuff better at keeping stuff out?

well the oiled ones work the same way as the k&n....there are dry flow filters that are s'posed to work really well which i do wanna get.....not to mention that you don't have to wait for hours before putting it back on after cleaning

 

[poison]

OK, so each aftermarket air filter I have tried to put in the P5 not fitting as snug as the K&N. I have tried NAPA, FRAM, and I just put a WIX in there. It is about a 1/4 inch too short on the end (it fits snug on the sides). It still fits meaning it doesn't expose the air box underneath, but the borders aren;t as wide and doesn't fit tight to the ends.

Is this acceptable? There is no MAzda dealer here so aftermarket is all I have. Anyone else tried a paper aftermarket air filter in these cars? If so, does it fit 100% snug?

Thanks!

The recommended FRAM filter fits PERFECTLY snug. $16. Try it!

 

[Proto_Man]

I've had the K&N for almost a year, and had no problems. Cleaning it isn't hard, and if you use the recharge kits right, each kit should at least last you 3 or 4 cleanings. As far as how long before you should clean it, I always double check out of habit every time I change the oil. No one here should expect to feel any real difference in power with one vs a paper filter, its meant to be cleaner and most importantly cheaper. If you replaced your paper filter every 3-5k miles with your oil, you'd pay the price of a K&N in a few months.

 

[flash75]

A paper air filter shouldn't need changing every 3-5k miles. The Mazda maintenance schedule calls for changing it every 30k. miles. I use their schedule and it works well for me.

Clifton

 

[newprot5fan]

The recommended FRAM filter fits PERFECTLY snug. $16. Try it!

HEy man,

I tried the FRAM filter yesterday from two different shops and they both are a touch short....I think the FRAM # on the box was 5955 or 5595. Both of the places gave me that one and that is what is the reference book when you look it up.

Maybe it is different here in Canada? You in the US?

I guess I am worried about driving with a filter that can shift slightly, even though it can't shift enough so you can see the airbox underneath.

 

[poison]

Yes, I'm in the US. It fit very snug all around. I don't remember the number, sorry.

 

[NCZ13]

just use the k&n its not that big of a deal lol.

 

[newprot5fan]

just use the k&n its not that big of a deal lol.

I tend to agree LOL ...I hate that it just doesn't make sense - they should fit Maybe the airbox is not stock..who knows.