K&N air filter

[J.K]

Hi all, my 2010 TDV6 D4 is about due for a service, was considering using a K&N air filter as the replacement, any one used these and do they improve performance at all ?

cheers JK

[ATH]

If that's the one you smother with oil I wouldn't bother personally. I used one for a while on a 300Tdi Disco I had many years ago and found no difference in anything except the mess to wash it when clogged with dust.
Threw it out after a couple of trips.
Now I take a spare OME filter if going off road and also just gently knock much of the dust out if I've been on really dusty tracks. Seems to do the trick OK.
AlanH.

[JDNSW]

A search on this forum should find quite a bit on these filters. (Not much of it very favourable)

As far as I can see the overall effect is that performance, with boost and fuel quantity controlled by the engine management system, should be unchanged. The reduction in intake silencing should give a significant improvement in the impression of performance (i.e. noisier), and the major reduction in filtering of intake air would see a reduction in engine life, depending on environment , of anything from maybe 10% to 90%.

[Slunnie]

With D2's the thinking is that LandRover brand filters are the most efficeint/effective, I would assume the same in this case also. Aside from using Finer/Uni filters as snorkel socks, I don't think there is a benefit on a 4WD.

[ramblingboy42]

this K&N thing has been flogged extensively in this forum.

most K&N enthusiasts also have a hi-clone fitted.

they are both as operationally efficient as each other.

[DoubleChevron]

I think there an expensive ****. The ones I've looked at ... sure they will make the inducation a lot louder .... and be fantastic hot air intakes (which will decrease performance for sure). Given I can see daylight through them quite readily ... they are certainly crap at filtering air. They might stop leaves and stones, but they aren't stopping dust if I can see through them ..... [bighmmm]

I may have been looking at the "sports" air cleaners though. Who knows, there standard replacement filters might be quite ok ( I'd never use one over a decent ribbed cardboard type aircleaner though .... not in a million years). The surface area for filtering on a well made OEM filters is a million times better than a small see through pod filter.

seeya
Shane L.

[Homestar]

Yep, as mentioned, good for screening out large insects, stones and kittens from your intake but not much else. Steer clear.

[discomatt69]

I used one in my D1 for a few years, from my experience providing you oil them correctly they filter better than a cheap paper filter. On really dusty tracks with the paper filters I would get a film of extreemly fine dust on the intake side after a few days, with the correctly oiled K&N it didn't happen. The total opposite from what a lot of people say. The issue is they clog up to quick and too much or not enough oil and that's where the issues arise.
Would I use one with the D4, no way, just stick with standard

[Hugh Jars]

K&N filters (and their copies) aren’t known in the automotive industry as ‘rock catchers’ for no reason. They may flow better, but there’s a reason for that. They are quite porous.
I’ve worked on numerous bikes fitted with them, and have always found dusting on the downstream of the filter in the intake piping.
You can work out what that means.
I steer clear of them...

[Homestar]

I used one in my D1 for a few years, from my experience providing you oil them correctly they filter better than a cheap paper filter. On really dusty tracks with the paper filters I would get a film of extreemly fine dust on the intake side after a few days, with the correctly oiled K&N it didn't happen. The total opposite from what a lot of people say. The issue is they clog up to quick and too much or not enough oil and that's where the issues arise.
Would I use one with the D4, no way, just stick with standard

I guarentee you'd still have dust get past the oil - a memebr who used to frequent here was one of only a handful of filtration Engineers in the country. He did a lot of tests - posted here somewhere - on air filters - OEM, aftermarket, K&N, etc - in all different conditions, brand new, dusty, clogged, just cleaned, oiled or not in the case of the K&N. The K&N always came out at the bottom for filtration - by an alarming amount, and the particulate size they let through was scary.

No 'I think' or 'a mate said' - actual scientific testing. There are plenty here that have seen tyese results - it would change your mind in a flash.

I think a well maintained, cleaned but used OEM paper filter scored best for actual filtration - better than a brand new one.

[67hardtop]

K&N are great....on a race track. Never use one off road. They WILL dust ur engine. Use at ur own risk and cost. IMHO. Seen too many dusted engines that ive fitted that the owners have retrofitted them too, and come back for warranty only to find a sump full of dirt and bearings literally ground away.

[Mike57]

There is some useful opinion on the K&N type filters on this page from a Suzuki Forum. auszookers.com • View topic - Air filter rant (http://www.auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12199&hilit=air+filter+rant) (I also have a Suzuki.) Anyway, I only use paper filters now.

[rick130]

I guarentee you'd still have dust get past the oil - a memebr who used to frequent here was one of only a handful of filtration Engineers in the country. He did a lot of tests - posted here somewhere - on air filters - OEM, aftermarket, K&N, etc - in all different conditions, brand new, dusty, clogged, just cleaned, oiled or not in the case of the K&N. The K&N always came out at the bottom for filtration - by an alarming amount, and the particulate size they let through was scary.

No 'I think' or 'a mate said' - actual scientific testing. There are plenty here that have seen tyese results - it would change your mind in a flash.

I think a well maintained, cleaned but used OEM paper filter scored best for actual filtration - better than a brand new one.I'll fire up the laptop soon and link to Ben's tests.

Real and repeatable data can't be beat. [emoji4]

[rick130]

Better late than never Air Filter Tests (Finally) (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/50650-air-filter-tests-finally.html)

If you really want to know how a K&N performs, read these test results. They are real tests using properly calibrated particle testing machines in the filtration testing lab at an Australian university.
Not "I think", and "it feels", and "it looks like".....

[DiscoJeffster]

Yeah, but still. I feel, and it does look like ..... [emoji23]

[J.K]

thanks very much for all of the opinions and info on this subject!! outstanding facts seem to be stay away ... cheers everyone

[rick130]

Yeah, but still. I feel, and it does look like ..... [emoji23][emoji106][emoji23]

[ndrew]

Mate, jump online and buy yourself a service kit from the UK. Whether you go for genuine Land Rover, premium aftermarket or cheapie is a matter of personal preference and philosophy largely, but it’s a cheap way of doing some basic maintenance that’ll protect your car in the long run.

I change my oil and ALL filters every 5,000. That’s overkill — WAY overkill — but if I’m dropping the oil and changing the filter, I may as well change out the air and fuel filters too.

Clean oil and fuel will go a long way to looking after your diesel. Cheap insurance :)

Cheers,

— Andrew

[vnx205]

Mate, jump online and buy yourself a service kit from the UK. Whether you go for genuine Land Rover, premium aftermarket or cheapie is a matter of personal preference and philosophy largely, but it’s a cheap way of doing some basic maintenance that’ll protect your car in the long run.

I change my oil and ALL filters every 5,000. That’s overkill — WAY overkill — but if I’m dropping the oil and changing the filter, I may as well change out the air and fuel filters too.

Clean oil and fuel will go a long way to looking after your diesel. Cheap insurance :)

Cheers,

— Andrew

I thought the message from isuzurover's test was that an air filter works better with a bit of dust on it. A clean one lets more dust or bigger particles through.

[donh54]

Mate, jump online and buy yourself a service kit from the UK. Whether you go for genuine Land Rover, premium aftermarket or cheapie is a matter of personal preference and philosophy largely, but it’s a cheap way of doing some basic maintenance that’ll protect your car in the long run.

I change my oil and ALL filters every 5,000. That’s overkill — WAY overkill — but if I’m dropping the oil and changing the filter, I may as well change out the air and fuel filters too.

Clean oil and fuel will go a long way to looking after your diesel. Cheap insurance :)

Cheers,

— Andrew

Why buy it from the UK? You can get exactly the same stuff right here, from Roverlord! Td5 service kit (including auto filter kit) for $85.00. [thumbsupbig]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Yep thats why bigger diesels have dust indicators not hourly schedules,, they work best just before replacement.. [wink11]

[ndrew]

I thought the message from isuzurover's test was that an air filter works better with a bit of dust on it. A clean one lets more dust or bigger particles through.

So, yeah — my reading of that post (which is bloody excellent by the way!) is that there’s a negligible difference between clean and dirty paper filters, for the cylinder-style used in the tests. I don’t know if the same applies to the flat filters used in the D3/4 engines.

Whether it does or not, I’m pretty comfortable with the filtration performance of a new filter… happy enough to change it regularly when I’m servicing the car anyway :)

— Andrew

[ndrew]

Why buy it from the UK? You can get exactly the same stuff right here, from Roverlord! Td5 service kit (including auto filter kit) for $85.00. [thumbsupbig]

I haven’t found a genuine (or premium aftermarket) service kit for my Disco 3 for anywhere near that locally. I’m buying genuine kits from the UK ‘cos of the significant Australia tax you pay on genuine parts buying locally.

I just ordered a genuine service kit from Island 4x4 for about AUD$150 + shipping. Haven’t seen anything close to that locally, I don’t reckon. Happy to be shown otherwise, though!

Cheers,

— Andrew

[SeanC]

I haven’t found a genuine (or premium aftermarket) service kit for my Disco 3 for anywhere near that locally. I’m buying genuine kits from the UK ‘cos of the significant Australia tax you pay on genuine parts buying locally.

I just ordered a genuine service kit from Island 4x4 for about AUD$150 + shipping. Haven’t seen anything close to that locally, I don’t reckon. Happy to be shown otherwise, though!

Cheers,

— Andrew

Same here. Genuine kit from Island 4x4 $150. Mix of genuine and aftermarket from my indie $250. If I could find anything close l would buy locally.

[donh54]

Same here. Genuine kit from Island 4x4 $150. Mix of genuine and aftermarket from my indie $250. If I could find anything close l would buy locally.

Get onto Mario & Heather and see if they do a kit for the D3/4. All the filters in the kits I've got are Mahle brand.

[rick130]

I thought the message from isuzurover's test was that an air filter works better with a bit of dust on it. A clean one lets more dust or bigger particles through.


Yep thats why bigger diesels have dust indicators not hourly schedules,, they work best just before replacement.. [wink11]

Yes, and that goes for ALL air filters.
The more heavily loaded the more efficient they are. Right up until pressure drop becomes too great and it impacts performance and fuel economy.

[ndrew]

Yes, and that goes for ALL air filters.
The more heavily loaded the more efficient they are. Right up until pressure drop becomes too great and it impacts performance and fuel economy.

I reckon after re-reading all the material here, I might change my practice slightly and change the air filter less frequently. I’ll still buy the full service kit and just pocket the filter as a spare. Will come in useful for those dusty outback trips.

Great discussion and that thread by isuzurover is brilliant!

Cheers,

— Andrew

[donh54]

Same here. Genuine kit from Island 4x4 $150. Mix of genuine and aftermarket from my indie $250. If I could find anything close l would buy locally.

Aftermarket from All Four x 4 (might be worth an email to check brands) $156.00

https://www.allfourx4.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/allfourx4/Products/LFK07A

Genuine $202.50

https://www.allfourx4.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/allfourx4/Products/LFK07B

Depending on the postage from the UK, (and from All Four x 4) could be worth a look. [thumbsupbig]

[kelvo]

Genuine $202.50

https://www.allfourx4.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/allfourx4/Products/LFK07B



Bargain, not. Especially when even they say the sum of individual parts is $195, plus the Genuine kit doesn’t have a genuine pollen filter or sump plug [bighmmm]