K&N filters bad?

[Ti Kan]

FFGREG32 at aol.com writes:
> I have been informed that K&N filters are bad for my car. I would like to see 
> the data on this before I install this filter in my car. I will stay with 
> factory filters if the data indicates that K&N filters could allow damage. I had 
> never heard any of this before. If anyone could point me to any technical data 
> or past discussions where this is indicated, I will be open to learning about 
> it. If this is true that it causes damage to our Audis, then K&N needs to be 
> upfront about it, or at least hear from those whose cars have been damaged. 
> Anyone else have input on K&N? Thanks Greg
> 1989 200TQ

Yes, this discussion had come up before on this list, and on other
forums (such as the biturbos4 list, s-cars list, audiworld.com, etc.,).

For a CIS injected car like yours, the only downside of using K&N
is that they do not filter as well as the stock paper filters, allowing
dirt into the engine.  Since K&N needs periodic re-oiling to maintain
their filtration properties, many users of K&N neglect to do so and
exacerbate the problem.  An air filter is supposed to keep dirt out, and
for that the K&N doesn't do as good a job as stock.

On newer Motronic based cars with MAF sensors, the oil from the K&N
can also collect on the sensor, leading to poor performance or damaging
the MAF sensor outright.

Despite K&N's wild claims in their ad, there has been no dyno proof
I am aware of, that these filters provide any significant gain in power.

With these in mind, why waste the money?

-Ti
2003 A4 1.8T multitronic
2001 S4 biturbo 6-sp
1984 5000S turbo
1980 4000 2.0 5-sp
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