K&N Air filters

[Ralpher]

Hi folks,

A year or so ago, I fitted a K&N Air filter to my T6.1 Transporter. A few weeks ago I took her in for a 40k full service. I told the mechanic (I trust these people to do a good job) that he didn't need to do the air filter, as it was a K&N unit and that I would sort it out.
The mechanic told me that these are NOT a good filter to use, as they were oil impregnated, and that the oil would foul a sensor (can't remember it's name!) but that after some time the sensor would be fcuked and require replacement!

He told me another filter replacement which would be a better choice but hey, you guessed it... I forgot that too!

Just passing on this message so that it might help some of you guys. I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask which filter it is that they recommend and IF I remember, I will post it on here

 

[Sasquatch]

He was probably referring to the MAF, and with care and a bit of luck they can be cleaned.

The K&N won't make you go any quicker, doesn't filter the air as efficiently as a paper job, and the tacky oil can cause problems. It's not something I'd bother with on a Transporter, but people love a good mod.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Standard filters as supplied by manufacturer or their generic suppliers are normally the best. I would not use filters such as KN for the reasons stated. This subject has come up for many years on all sorts of vehicle forum, bikes and cars. In the past some even went so far as removal of the air box, another mistake.

 

[Skyliner33]

As stated above, I wouldn't use K&N unless it was on a race engine that isn't expected to last that long without a rebuild.

 

[T6ARF]

Just another opinion/angle…. I’ve used K&N air filters for many years on a number of vehicles and never had any issues or problems whatsoever, that’s why when I got my T6 in 2019 I fitted a K&N filter straight away…. six years later and still no issues or problems. Each to their own but I’m more than happy to use K&N.

 

[Lubrown]

I still miss the oil bath air filter from my 1300 beetle.
Those were the days - true simplicity.

 

[JOG]

I still miss the oil bath air filter from my 1300 beetle.
Those were the days - true simplicity.

Anything could be fixed with a half-inch spanner and a hammer too!

 

[Sasquatch]

Just another opinion/angle…. I’ve used K&N air filters for many years on a number of vehicles and never had any issues or problems whatsoever, that’s why when I got my T6 in 2019 I fitted a K&N filter straight away…. six years later and still no issues or problems. Each to their own but I’m more than happy to use K&N.

Most people won't have problems with them.

However, while the oil can foul various intake sensors it doesn't automatically mean that it will, and many like you will enjoy years of happy filtration.

 

[Camper_Chris]

Just another opinion/angle…. I’ve used K&N air filters for many years on a number of vehicles and never had any issues or problems whatsoever, that’s why when I got my T6 in 2019 I fitted a K&N filter straight away…. six years later and still no issues or problems. Each to their own but I’m more than happy to use K&N.

Used them for over 30 years, including VWs, never had any MAF problems.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Best filter is the original fit VW one Would never touch K&N

 

[Richard T6.1]

Used them for over 30 years, including VWs, never had any MAF problems.

Same here. Never had any problems in VW, Audi or BMW. All flawless. It might be a placebo effect but I always feel a K&N makes the engine run just a whiff better. Their lower intake resistance slightly improves turbo lag too in my experience. Placebo or not, I don't care. Cheap and easy drop-in mod.

The wide spread internet blurb about filter oil causing MAF problems is typically after cleaning the filters when people tend to apply (way) too much oil. That part never seems to make into the negative stories though. I don't even bother cleaning it and just thow a new one in every 50-60K KMs.
In the grand scheme of costs associated with a van, it's nothing.

 

[Sasquatch]

The wide spread internet blurb about filter oil causing MAF problems is typically after cleaning the filters

Or when installing new ones.

As already aforementioned, this phenomenon isn't happening to everyone or even very often, but it does happen with cotton air filters and doesn't with paper filters.

If you want the best filtration the factory paper filters is the way to go.

If you want the best combination of filtration and flow then the modern multi density foam type from the likes of PiperX or Ramair are the de rigeur choice.

Cotton filters are a bit of a 60's throwback now we're a quarter of the way through the 21st century, with lesser flow rates then foam combined with poorer filtration than paper, the worst of both worlds.