K & N air filter

Hi,
I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
worthy to purchase such filter?

> I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15[color=blue]
> annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
> air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
> lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
> are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
> worthy to purchase such filter?[/color]

Here is the K&N filter thread again.
The K&N filter lets more air in your engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
You get more of everything, the good AND the bad.

I can't speak for Bassplayer12, but from my experience, I had no
trouble with the K&N filter on my 1995 Saturn. I installed it after
about 30,000 km and ran it until I traded the car in January
(approximately 9+ yuears and over 330,000 km). Last November I had a
small head gasket leak (before someone snipes at me: this leak would
have nothing to do with the engine breathing!). When they popped the
head, they were pleasantly surprised to see virtually no wear on the
engine. You could still see the cross-hatching in the cylinders. The
only thing I did to the car was change the oil every 5000km.

If the K&N filter let any more dirt in than a stock paper filter, you
sure wouldn't be able to tell. And oil consumption? Half a litre every
5000km.

If you're thinking of the K&N to save money on paper filters, go for
it, as long as you don't mind washing the thing out and re-oiling it
every year or two (with their kit) and letting it air dry overnight. If
you think you're going to get more power, don't kid yourself. If
there's any extra power, it's hiding up around 5000rpm. Unless you
drive with the engine redlined all the time, you won't notice any
improvement. Same goes for gas mileage. I noticed the same thing when I
had the K&N in my '88 S-10 (the vehicle before the Saturn). I drove it
for 245,000 km. Same story.

I haven't decided whether I'll get the K&N for my VUE or my ECHO. I'm
tempted to just do the paper element thing. Getting older and lazier.

My 2¢,

Tim Delaney
Stewiacke, NS, Canada
1984 Mercedes 300SD 222,000km
2002 Saturn VUE 97,000km
2005 ECHO Hatchback 1800km - love the Toyota!


Bassplayer12 wrote:[color=blue][color=green]
> > I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
> > annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
> > air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
> > lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
> > are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
> > worthy to purchase such filter?[/color]
>
> Here is the K&N filter thread again.
> The K&N filter lets more air in your engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
> You get more of everything, the good AND the bad.[/color]

I can't speak for Bassplayer12, but from my experience, I had no
trouble with the K&N filter on my 1995 Saturn. I installed it after
about 30,000 km and ran it until I traded the car in January
(approximately 9+ yuears and over 330,000 km). Last November I had a
small head gasket leak (before someone snipes at me: this leak would
have nothing to do with the engine breathing!). When they popped the
head, they were pleasantly surprised to see virtually no wear on the
engine. You could still see the cross-hatching in the cylinders. The
only thing I did to the car was change the oil every 5000km.

If the K&N filter let any more dirt in than a stock paper filter, you
sure wouldn't be able to tell. And oil consumption? Half a litre every
5000km.

If you're thinking of the K&N to save money on paper filters, go for
it, as long as you don't mind washing the thing out and re-oiling it
every year or two (with their kit) and letting it air dry overnight. If
you think you're going to get more power, don't kid yourself. If
there's any extra power, it's hiding up around 5000rpm. Unless you
drive with the engine redlined all the time, you won't notice any
improvement. Same goes for gas mileage. I noticed the same thing when I
had the K&N in my '88 S-10 (the vehicle before the Saturn). I drove it
for 245,000 km. Same story.

I haven't decided whether I'll get the K&N for my VUE or my ECHO. I'm
tempted to just do the paper element thing. Getting older and lazier.

My 2¢,

Tim Delaney
Stewiacke, NS, Canada
1984 Mercedes 300SD 222,000km
2002 Saturn VUE 97,000km
2005 ECHO Hatchback 1800km - love the Toyota!


Bassplayer12 wrote:[color=blue][color=green]
> > I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
> > annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
> > air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
> > lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
> > are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
> > worthy to purchase such filter?[/color]
>
> Here is the K&N filter thread again.
> The K&N filter lets more air in your engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
> You get more of everything, the good AND the bad.[/color]

[email]perettij@nbnet.nb.ca[/email] (Bassplayer12)
wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
>>I am thinking to but K&N air filter[/color][/color]
[color=blue]
>Here is the K&N filter thread again.
>The K&N filter lets more air in your
>engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
>You get more of everything, the good
>AND the bad.[/color]

Not to mention, who wants to clean it when there's a toss and replace
one to use? Not me. I remember K&N filters getting a lot of airtime when
I was a member of the Jeep community. I wonder if they still tout its
abilities? Oh, Mr. Strickland?

On Wed, 10 Aug 2005 08:37:58 -0700, tsdelaney wrote:
[color=blue]
> I can't speak for Bassplayer12, but from my experience, I had no
> trouble with the K&N filter on my 1995 Saturn. I installed it after
> about 30,000 km and ran it until I traded the car in January
> (approximately 9+ yuears and over 330,000 km). Last November I had a
> small head gasket leak (before someone snipes at me: this leak would
> have nothing to do with the engine breathing!). When they popped the
> head, they were pleasantly surprised to see virtually no wear on the
> engine. You could still see the cross-hatching in the cylinders. The
> only thing I did to the car was change the oil every 5000km.
>
> If the K&N filter let any more dirt in than a stock paper filter, you
> sure wouldn't be able to tell. And oil consumption? Half a litre every
> 5000km.
>
> If you're thinking of the K&N to save money on paper filters, go for
> it, as long as you don't mind washing the thing out and re-oiling it
> every year or two (with their kit) and letting it air dry overnight. If
> you think you're going to get more power, don't kid yourself. If
> there's any extra power, it's hiding up around 5000rpm. Unless you
> drive with the engine redlined all the time, you won't notice any
> improvement. Same goes for gas mileage. I noticed the same thing when I
> had the K&N in my '88 S-10 (the vehicle before the Saturn). I drove it
> for 245,000 km. Same story.[/color]

I could argue the power point. There will be a slight increase, since the
volume of air entering the engine is greater. In order to get the full
benefit, you also need to add a larger exhaust.

And, you may notice better fuel economy: I had a '95 Tercel (I may be
buying it back; I miss the little critter, and she wants to sell it...)
First thing I did was to install a cold air intake and a K&N filter. Two
things I noticed right away: the throttle response off the line was
greatly improved over stock (and much needed in a 1.5L engine aith an AT!)
and my fuel economy went from 38/39MPG to 42/45MPG! (Now we see why I want
to buy it back: Chrysler LHS with it's plush leather seating for my
Economy-sized hindquarters gets 24/26MPG!). Also, the infamous Chrysler
Tranny issue seems to be creeping up ever so slowly...
[color=blue]
>
> I haven't decided whether I'll get the K&N for my VUE or my ECHO. I'm
> tempted to just do the paper element thing. Getting older and lazier.
>
> My 2¢,
>
> Tim Delaney
> Stewiacke, NS, Canada
> 1984 Mercedes 300SD 222,000km
> 2002 Saturn VUE 97,000km
> 2005 ECHO Hatchback 1800km - love the Toyota!
>
>
> Bassplayer12 wrote:[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
>> > annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
>> > air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
>> > lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
>> > are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
>> > worthy to purchase such filter?[/color]
>>
>> Here is the K&N filter thread again.
>> The K&N filter lets more air in your engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
>> You get more of everything, the good AND the bad.[/color][/color]

On Wed, 10 Aug 2005 08:37:31 -0700, tsdelaney wrote:
[color=blue]
> I can't speak for Bassplayer12, but from my experience, I had no
> trouble with the K&N filter on my 1995 Saturn. I installed it after
> about 30,000 km and ran it until I traded the car in January
> (approximately 9+ yuears and over 330,000 km). Last November I had a
> small head gasket leak (before someone snipes at me: this leak would
> have nothing to do with the engine breathing!). When they popped the
> head, they were pleasantly surprised to see virtually no wear on the
> engine. You could still see the cross-hatching in the cylinders. The
> only thing I did to the car was change the oil every 5000km.
>
> If the K&N filter let any more dirt in than a stock paper filter, you
> sure wouldn't be able to tell. And oil consumption? Half a litre every
> 5000km.
>
> If you're thinking of the K&N to save money on paper filters, go for
> it, as long as you don't mind washing the thing out and re-oiling it
> every year or two (with their kit) and letting it air dry overnight. If
> you think you're going to get more power, don't kid yourself. If
> there's any extra power, it's hiding up around 5000rpm. Unless you
> drive with the engine redlined all the time, you won't notice any
> improvement. Same goes for gas mileage. I noticed the same thing when I
> had the K&N in my '88 S-10 (the vehicle before the Saturn). I drove it
> for 245,000 km. Same story.
>
> I haven't decided whether I'll get the K&N for my VUE or my ECHO. I'm
> tempted to just do the paper element thing. Getting older and lazier.
>
> My 2¢,
>
> Tim Delaney
> Stewiacke, NS, Canada
> 1984 Mercedes 300SD 222,000km
> 2002 Saturn VUE 97,000km
> 2005 ECHO Hatchback 1800km - love the Toyota![/color]

BTW, I didn't notice in the other message: you don't seem to have any
comment after the Vue... ;)
[color=blue]
>
>
> Bassplayer12 wrote:[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
>> > annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
>> > air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
>> > lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
>> > are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
>> > worthy to purchase such filter?[/color]
>>
>> Here is the K&N filter thread again.
>> The K&N filter lets more air in your engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
>> You get more of everything, the good AND the bad.[/color][/color]

On Wed, 10 Aug 2005 08:37:59 -0700, ravelation wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> [email]perettij@nbnet.nb.ca[/email] (Bassplayer12)
> wrote:
>[color=green][color=darkred]
>>>I am thinking to but K&N air filter[/color][/color]
>[color=green]
>>Here is the K&N filter thread again.
>>The K&N filter lets more air in your
> >engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
> >You get more of everything, the good
> >AND the bad.[/color]
>
> Not to mention, who wants to clean it when there's a toss and replace
> one to use? Not me. I remember K&N filters getting a lot of airtime when
> I was a member of the Jeep community. I wonder if they still tout its
> abilities? Oh, Mr. Strickland?[/color]

Eh, no biggie. I used to clean mine twice a year, just to make sure it was
well oiled to keep excess dirt from invading the engine. Reminded me of an
old Yamaha DT250 I had; had a sponge rubber filter that needed to be
cleaned and oiled periodically.

A clean paper filter is better for most people than a K&N.

There is lots of argument as to whether a K&N actually stops dirt or not. I
added an extra layer of covering to hold more oil to trap the dirt, and I'm
reasonably satisfied that I actually have an air filter, but lots of people
disagree. I was kind of backed into my K&N -- it came with a fuel injection
system that I installed -- and I would not have chosen to use it had I been
given the chance. Having said that, if you clean it two or three times a
year and keep it doused in the special oil they sell, you should be OK with
it.

I think you are better off with the paper filters though.




<wenmang@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1123685276.286760.36460@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi,
> I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
> annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
> air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
> lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
> are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
> worthy to purchase such filter?
>[/color]

"HachiRoku" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message
news:WzpKe.2598$Yf7.279@trndny06...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 10 Aug 2005 08:37:58 -0700, tsdelaney wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I can't speak for Bassplayer12, but from my experience, I had no
>> trouble with the K&N filter on my 1995 Saturn. I installed it after
>> about 30,000 km and ran it until I traded the car in January
>> (approximately 9+ yuears and over 330,000 km). Last November I had a
>> small head gasket leak (before someone snipes at me: this leak would
>> have nothing to do with the engine breathing!). When they popped the
>> head, they were pleasantly surprised to see virtually no wear on the
>> engine. You could still see the cross-hatching in the cylinders. The
>> only thing I did to the car was change the oil every 5000km.
>>
>> If the K&N filter let any more dirt in than a stock paper filter, you
>> sure wouldn't be able to tell. And oil consumption? Half a litre every
>> 5000km.
>>
>> If you're thinking of the K&N to save money on paper filters, go for
>> it, as long as you don't mind washing the thing out and re-oiling it
>> every year or two (with their kit) and letting it air dry overnight. If
>> you think you're going to get more power, don't kid yourself. If
>> there's any extra power, it's hiding up around 5000rpm. Unless you
>> drive with the engine redlined all the time, you won't notice any
>> improvement. Same goes for gas mileage. I noticed the same thing when I
>> had the K&N in my '88 S-10 (the vehicle before the Saturn). I drove it
>> for 245,000 km. Same story.[/color]
>
> I could argue the power point. There will be a slight increase, since the
> volume of air entering the engine is greater. In order to get the full
> benefit, you also need to add a larger exhaust.
>[/color]

I gotta side with Delaney here. Don't get the K&N for performance, get for
the cost - save money over time as compared to paper filters. The air flow
isn't going to be appreciated until the tach approaches red line, and the
vast majority of people stuck in traffic jams never see red line.

Air going in is restricted by how fast it can get out. No matter what you do
on the intake, there is significant restriction in the exhaust. Unless the
exhaust restrictions are dealt with, one isn't going to get much out of
intake modifications.

"ravelation" <ravelation@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:18045-42FA1F57-58@storefull-3358.bay.webtv.net...[color=blue]
>
> [email]perettij@nbnet.nb.ca[/email] (Bassplayer12)
> wrote:
>[color=green][color=darkred]
>>>I am thinking to but K&N air filter[/color][/color]
>[color=green]
>>Here is the K&N filter thread again.
>>The K&N filter lets more air in your
> >engine AND, consequently, more dirt.
> >You get more of everything, the good
> >AND the bad.[/color]
>
> Not to mention, who wants to clean it when there's a toss and replace
> one to use? Not me. I remember K&N filters getting a lot of airtime when
> I was a member of the Jeep community. I wonder if they still tout its
> abilities? Oh, Mr. Strickland?
>[/color]

It's been pretty quiet over there on the K&N front.

I still maintain that the only reason to get one is to save money over time,
by not buying paper filters. I run one, but not by choice so much as because
it came with the Mopar Fuel Injection Kit. The only benefit to me is that I
can wash it and put more oil on and use it again and again. I swiped one of
the Mrs.'s knee-highs and put it on the outside in a double- or triple-layer
to catch some of the larger chunks, and my intake tract seems to be pretty
clean so the filter must be working. My K&N is used in a very dirty
environment, and if my intake tract is clean, then the intake on a street
car will remain clean.

In article <1123685276.286760.36460@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
[email]wenmang@yahoo.com[/email] says...[color=blue]
>Hi,
>I am thinking to but K&N air filter for my Corolla. I spend $15
>annually for paper filter. From advertisement, it seems to me that K&N
>air filter for Corolla costs $40, but it is washable and can last
>lifetime. Does anybody have any experience using such filter and how
>are you going to wash it and what is frequency to have it washed? Is it
>worthy to purchase such filter?
>
>[/color]
Normally once a year or 10k miles, clean it with K&N cleaner fluid, then
oil with K&N Filter oil.

shake off any excess, refit it.
--
Carl Robson
Car PC Build starts again. [url]http://smallr.com/rz[/url]
Homepage: [url]http://www.bouncing-czechs.com[/url]

> Normally once a year or 10k miles, clean it with K&N cleaner fluid, then[color=blue]
> oil with K&N Filter oil.
>
> shake off any excess, refit it.
> --
> Carl Robson
> Car PC Build starts again. [url]http://smallr.com/rz[/url]
> Homepage: [url]http://www.bouncing-czechs.com[/url][/color]

my goal is to save money by reusing the K&N filter, but the cost of K&N
cleaner fluid and Filter oil offset the purpose of saving, I guess that
I may continue to purchase the paper filter annually instead.

> Normally once a year or 10k miles, clean it with K&N cleaner fluid, then[color=blue]
> oil with K&N Filter oil.
>
> shake off any excess, refit it.
> --
> Carl Robson
> Car PC Build starts again. [url]http://smallr.com/rz[/url]
> Homepage: [url]http://www.bouncing-czechs.com[/url][/color]

my goal is to save money by reusing the K&N filter, but the cost of K&N
cleaner fluid and Filter oil offset the purpose of saving, I guess that
I may continue to purchase the paper filter annually instead.

If your car is in warranty, I would call the service manager at your
dealership and ask if it will create warranty problems. On GM and some
Chrysler products it will. They claim the oil screws up the MAF sensor. On a
GM car, they just remove the K&N and replace it with the stock filter,
replace the MAF sensor, clean out the air track and charge you around $700.

Al