K&N oil filter

[Skunky]

I've purchased the K&N oil filter ready for an Oil change this week I can't see it making any difference to performance but it should keep the oil cleaner than a standard unit. It also has a bolt head built it which will render my filter tool redundant so better not overtighten. I will be interested to see if it keeps my oil cleaner for longer than last years filter.

I'll be using a Castrol Magnatec 10 - 40 oil  . No! i'm not using a motorcycle 4t oil  . 4t is only really needed for bikes where the gearbox shares the oil. I had concerns about the Sprag clutch last time which used to foul up and fail from time to time but its been fine for the last two years on Magnatec.

Has anyone had any experience with the K&N?


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[koapono]

no experience with K&N anything but I am curious:
will the oil filter access paste fit back on the bike with that nut welded onto bottom of filter?

[volador]

no experience with K&N anything but I am curious:
will the oil filter access paste fit back on the bike with that nut welded onto bottom of filter?

hope you saved your fecking receipt...

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I can't speak to the oil filter, but I had a K&N air filter on a previous bike.  After 2 years and 10,000 miles I noticed that despite keeping the filter clean and oiled, the walls of the air passage downstream of the filter had a film of fine dirt. 

Looking at the wrench doohickey on the filter can, the question comes to mind: "How much filter area am I losing to allow for the height of that wrench thingy".  Reduced filter element area increases pressure drop across the filter, while reducing dirt holding capacity and through flow.

K&N filters may indeed be good.  I would do a search on oil filter performance data.  I know that there is a lot of negative opinion on the construction and performance of FRAM filters, and that this opinion is widespread and goes back as far as the mid 80's.  I've never looked into K&N, though.

[Skunky]

I can't speak to the oil filter, but I had a K&N air filter on a previous bike.  After 2 years and 10,000 miles I noticed that despite keeping the filter clean and oiled, the walls of the air passage downstream of the filter had a film of fine dirt. 

Looking at the wrench doohickey on the filter can, the question comes to mind: "How much filter area am I losing to allow for the height of that wrench thingy".  Reduced filter element area increases pressure drop across the filter, while reducing dirt holding capacity and through flow.

K&N filters may indeed be good.  I would do a search on oil filter performance data.  I know that there is a lot of negative opinion on the construction and performance of FRAM filters, and that this opinion is widespread and goes back as far as the mid 80's.  I've never looked into K&N, though.

One of the things that attracted me to the oil filter was the number of 5 star reviews on Amazon from BMW bike owners stating how it made their oil changes easier. All of the comparisons I've look at tend to show the K&N of being a good quality construction with better quality materials and finish than most other filters. I have to say it does feel pretty solid. My Bike had stood for a long time and it didn't take long for the oil to look dirty so I will be watching this filter to see if I get and improvement. I shal comment further after the oil/filter change.

[Chaos]

K&N  bashing is a favorite pastime on gearhead forums.  Have not heard anything bad about their oil filters other than the nut can twist off if the filter is really jammed on.  I have had K&N air filters on my K and Ural since almost day one with no ill effects, despite constant ingesting of insects and small birds. 

[stokester]

K&N  bashing is a favorite pastime on gearhead forums.  Have not heard anything bad about their oil filters other than the nut can twist off if the filter is really jammed on.  I have had K&N air filters on my K and Ural since almost day one with no ill effects, despite constant ingesting of insects and small birds.

I'm not a fan of K&N air filters for reasons stated in another thread.  Most of the issues with these come from over-oiling which in cars will foul the MAF.
While working at the Chevy dealership I did have to deal with a couple of K&N oil filters that were over-tightened and the nut stripped off.

[beemuker]

I'm not a fan of K&N air filters for reasons stated in another thread.  Most of the issues with these come from over-oiling which in cars will foul the MAF.
While working at the Chevy dealership I did have to deal with a couple of K&N oil filters that were over-tightened and the nut stripped off.

That's what happened  to my truck. I bought it used and the PO had installed a K&N air filter. It oil fouled the MAF . As long as the nut doesn't hinder the plate, oil filter shouldn't be a problem. I use Hiflofiltro HF163 Premium Oil Filter , about $12 .

[Chaos]

I've been using Delco pf53 oil filter for the last 25 years or so, usually 5-6 bucks.  Name brand 10-40, once I ran some Rinsoline for the sake of the sprag clutch though it's never given me a problem.  Changing oil regularly matters more than what you use

[beemuker]

The old VW's didn't even have a filter, just a cleanable screen. Just change the oil every 3k and you were good to go, along with checking that #3 valve.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

The old VW's could get away without the filter because they were designed in the days of non-detergent oil.  With that stuff, the bigger chunks of dirt weren't held in suspension, but settled out when the engine wasn't running. 

Sort of like self cleaning oil.

And yeah, keep an eagle eye on the #3 exhaust valve.
 
I used to set that one at 0.014" just to be safe.  That rocker clacking away was music to my ears.

[Skunky]

I fitted the K&N oil filter today. As far as the dimensions it was exactly the same size as the Hiflo filter that I took out and the nut was underneath. Once tightened in place the nut was flush with bottom of the engine.


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While the oil was out. I took off and refitted the rocker covers in order to sort out a slow leak which developed after I did the valve clearances.  . All good.

I shall keep an eye on the oil and see if it stays cleaner for longer.

[volador]

Waste of bloody quid... need another hobby mate... like fishing or bird watching...

[Skunky]

Waste of bloody quid... need another hobby mate... like fishing or bird watching...

Any quid spent on bikes is money well spent in my humble opinion. Although fishing is more than a tad too still for me, I’ve been bird watching since the hormones kicked in at 13.

I guess I could take up forum trolling too

[Laitch]

Here's a review where the reviewer measures the cubic inches of filter paper and points out a few differences of the K&N among other filters. T .

[Skunky]

A good review Laitch. He also reviewed one after 16k miles and we still impressed



I’m also fitting one on my Thruxton