DONT buy K&N air filter

[harper7]

All you guys had to do was ask lol.

Look at it logically:
Toyota has to make this vehicle go with no issues for a long time. If the other guy's design was so good then why doesn't the OEM's use something similar? Cost? No way. Yes they try to keep costs down but they also have to keep reliability up. I learned a long time ago if something is not broke do not try to fix it with something claiming to be better. Now, if an OEM was failing a part regularly, such as light bulbs, half shafts, etc then I would look outside for a better replacement.

Ever wonder why such things as Toyota and Honda light bulbs, windshield wipers and other consumable items last longer than the non OEM replacement part? This goes for oil and air filters too.

The TRD filter which comes on the TRD CAI 's from Toyota doesn't say K&N on it but I would bet my truck on it that it is sourced from them. And it has an Toyota OEM 10 digit part number on it so it must have passed their standards.
Toyota OEM Air Filters

I highly doubt the stock one is made by Toyota either as they source it from somebody as there is no Toyota brand name on it .......I'd lay money it's some company in China that puts their name on many air filters.

I've had both in and didn't notice any performance gains, MPG losses or dirt/dust past the filter one way or the other to be honest. The TRD(K&N) is able to be cleaned and reused.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

I ran a K&N on my 1999 TAHOE for the 14 years I drove it. Never had a problem and never boughtan air filter. When I sold it and bought the $RUNNER, I gave the buyer the original filter and air box. Never noticed any improvement (MPG or otherwise), but it sounded great when I floored the accelerator!!!!

I'm looking into an aftermarket CAI for the 4RUNNER. I found a K&N 63-9034 at STREETSIDE AUTO fro $227.18 with a $25 on line coupon plus free shipping.

I have a K&N filter in the stock airbox. I haven't noticed any difference.

Maybe its like gun control laws...don't really do anything, just make people feel better!

 

[Canazes9]

All you guys had to do was ask lol.

You would have told them to use the search....


:behindsofa:


David

 

[Wonderbreadman]

are your feelings about K&N extended to AFE Dry filter set up as far as allowing dirt in? I bought but have not installed the AFE CIA...

 

[southman_70]

All three of my vehicles have K&N air filters. I noticed increase throttle response for sure. Improved gas mileage......the jury is still out on that one. On my Avalon I can't really tell the difference when going thru the different drive modes but I have not taken it out on a longer drive to see what the mpg reads. As I said I think the argument can go both ways but ultimately it is up to the individual. So far no issues with any vehicles.

 

[1engineer]

The TRD filter which comes on the TRD CAI 's from Toyota doesn't say K&N on it but I would bet my truck on it that it is sourced from them. And it has an Toyota OEM 10 digit part number on it so it must have passed their standards.
Toyota OEM Air Filters

I highly doubt the stock one is made by Toyota either as they source it from somebody as there is no Toyota brand name on it .......I'd lay money it's some company in China that puts their name on many air filters.

I've had both in and didn't notice any performance gains, MPG losses or dirt/dust past the filter one way or the other to be honest. The TRD(K&N) is able to be cleaned and reused.

They are not bad, just not as good as stock.

are your feelings about K&N extended to AFE Dry filter set up as far as allowing dirt in? I bought but have not installed the AFE CIA...

All three of my vehicles have K&N air filters. I noticed increase throttle response for sure. Improved gas mileage......the jury is still out on that one. On my Avalon I can't really tell the difference when going thru the different drive modes but I have not taken it out on a longer drive to see what the mpg reads. As I said I think the argument can go both ways but ultimately it is up to the individual. So far no issues with any vehicles.

As it should. Improved throttle response? If you think so lol.
Anyway, K&N is just as good as any other aftermarket filter. My whole point is there is no noticeable improvement to running them over stock, just like CAI's. They are definitely better than running no filter.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Ive have always just looked at air filters as logically as I could. If it flows more air, then it's trading that for less filtration. I have owned K&N's in the past and eventually just got rid of them (im a nerd and filtration is now a priority over a performance). I never really noticed a difference and cleaning them is a PITA compared to just dropping in a new one. You can get aftermarket filters that are able to filter better than stock, but will they improve performance? Yes, in the filtration department, but nowhere else. Toyota and every other manufacturer has no idea how, or in what conditions your vehicle will be used in so they simply go with what works best as an all around filter - there is a reason every major manufacturer uses mostly the same filter types.

I'm sure anyone would be fine driving around the city with a cloth\oil filter, but I would not want one if were I driving behind someone on a dirt road. If you want to use this type of filter then I would do it, most likely nothing will happen, and I am not one to judge - to each his own However, if you think that you can go out and spend $40 on an air filter that: filters better, provides better throttle response, improves mpg and boosts HP...well then your kidding your self. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet for this, as with everything else in life.

Side note: As has been established already in this thread, these type of filters can damage a MAF, but only if you over oil them (oil getting sucked through your MAF is not good lol ). Used properly it should cause no harm.

 

[itiswhatitisnt]

I use K&N filters on all my vehicles and have no issues. Like one posted and said, "it matters on the individual" when it comes to maintenance of the filter and driving environment.
Also, K&N have good/strong racing and street performance reputation.
They've been around for 50+years. I never experienced any issues. Never! Anyone who questions K&N should try it themselves and be there own critic.
It's an affordable significant upgrade. Running stock filter is fine.
However, your in this thread most likely because your interested in the K&N filter NOT because you damaged you're vehicle using the K&N filter

Loving my K&N filters!
"Never Allow An Opinion Override Your Judgment."

 

[Espresso]

Ive have always just looked at air filters as logically as I could. If it flows more air, then it's trading that for less filtration. I have owned K&N's in the past and eventually just got rid of them (im a nerd and filtration is now a priority over a performance). I never really noticed a difference and cleaning them is a PITA compared to just dropping in a new one. You can get aftermarket filters that are able to filter better than stock, but will they improve performance? Yes, in the filtration department, but nowhere else. Toyota and every other manufacturer has no idea how, or in what conditions your vehicle will be used in so they simply go with what works best as an all around filter - there is a reason every major manufacturer uses mostly the same filter types.

I'm sure anyone would be fine driving around the city with a cloth\oil filter, but I would not want one if were I driving behind someone on a dirt road. If you want to use this type of filter then I would do it, most likely nothing will happen, and I am not one to judge - to each his own However, if you think that you can go out and spend $40 on an air filter that: filters better, provides better throttle response, improves mpg and boosts HP...well then your kidding your self. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet for this, as with everything else in life.

I've used K&N drop in filters and after a while, had the same thought/logic as you do. It's the same size and thickness as OEM so what magic can provide better filtration with more airflow? Sure it might be fine brand new but how can one expect to clean it 3-4 times and expect it to operate as good as new compared to dropping in a brand new OEM filter, especially if driven off road? It's like underwear, sure you can hand wash shit off but after a couple of times, any type of refreshing spray (aka oil) can't beat buying a brand new pair of underwear (OEM filter).

I think the only gain in using an aftermarket filter is when you upgrade to a CAI where you can get a much larger filter with a different shape and perhaps better airflow and filtration.

 

[Lolrax]

I've used K&N drop in filters and after a while, had the same thought/logic as you do. It's the same size and thickness as OEM so what magic can provide better filtration with more airflow? Sure it might be fine brand new but how can one expect to clean it 3-4 times and expect it to operate as good as new compared to dropping in a brand new OEM filter, especially if driven off road? It's like underwear, sure you can hand wash shit off but after a couple of times, any type of refreshing spray (aka oil) can't beat buying a brand new pair of underwear (OEM filter).

I think the only gain in using an aftermarket filter is when you upgrade to a CAI where you can get a much larger filter with a different shape and perhaps better airflow and filtration.

Even when its dirty I think a K&N is going to let a lot more air through than OEM filters. The main difference is that it also lets a lot more dirt through and I am not into that.

 

[Rubberdown]

It's the internet and talk is cheap. Let's see a show of hands... How many of you have ever PERSONALLY suffered any damage to your car because of a k&n air filter. Noticing cricket sounds. Now let's see a show of hands.... How many of you have ever PERSONALLY dyno tuned your 4runner back to back with a k&n vs stock to see power gain or loss. More cricket sounds. Ok so... Guys this is the internet. People talk out their butts because they read it somewhere blah blah blah. The k&n haters and lovers need a new hobby. K&N filters will not harm your engine. They do not flow substantially more. I have run k&n filters on most all my cars since I was a wee boy. No problems, no o my god I just put a rocket engine in my car moments. I dyno tested lots and lots of different filters on my Procharged cobra.... Back to back on a mustang dyno. Know what I found? They all suck..... Literally I mean air gets sucked through them... It was a joke come on. I noticed I could get 1-2 psi more boost on the same pulley set up with a big honking foam filter vs k&n so obviously that flowed more. I also noticed at full boost the k&n was loosing its shape and collapsing in on itself. That was nifty... I felt like a real man. So my advice is: Go with a cold air intake with a foam air filter and your seat of the pants dyno still will not really notice it.... But it sounds mean as hell and you feel really good about yourself!

Ps I just read this and figured out two things... I just kinda blather on and on.... And I don't mention the k&n vs stock filter thing. I dyno tested a c55 and it picked up 8 hp over the stock oem filter. Whoop de doo. You can't feel that. You can change that much with different tanks of gas. Loose some weight. 4500 pound car / 270 hp.... Every 16 pounds is 1 hp... So to pick up 8 hp worth of performance.... Take out 150 pounds. Yeah. That might not be reasonable. I'm rambling again sorry.

 

[jrandom]

I'm sure anyone would be fine driving around the city with a cloth\oil filter, but I would not want one if were I driving behind someone on a dirt road. If you want to use this type of filter then I would do it, most likely nothing will happen, and I am not one to judge - to each his own

QFA

FWIW and as anyone else who has done can attest, I have spent weeks at a time driving in and through the deserts of southern/central Utah in places so dry the dust is the constancy of sifted flour. When you pull a filter and dust falls out of the intake face, that is why I take a dry filter over an oiled filter. I can knock it out, back flush it with some air, and put it back in until I can get another. From that perspective I don't think your are going to be able to dry clean an oiled filter as well as a dry one.

 

[eddiebx]

It's the internet and talk is cheap. Let's see a show of hands... How many of you have ever PERSONALLY suffered any damage to your car because of a k&n air filter. Noticing cricket sounds. Now let's see a show of hands.... How many of you have ever PERSONALLY dyno tuned your 4runner back to back with a k&n vs stock to see power gain or loss. More cricket sounds. Ok so... Guys this is the internet. People talk out their butts because they read it somewhere blah blah blah. The k&n haters and lovers need a new hobby. K&N filters will not harm your engine. They do not flow substantially more. I have run k&n filters on most all my cars since I was a wee boy. No problems, no o my god I just put a rocket engine in my car moments. I dyno tested lots and lots of different filters on my Procharged cobra.... Back to back on a mustang dyno. Know what I found? They all suck..... Literally I mean air gets sucked through them... It was a joke come on. I noticed I could get 1-2 psi more boost on the same pulley set up with a big honking foam filter vs k&n so obviously that flowed more. I also noticed at full boost the k&n was loosing its shape and collapsing in on itself. That was nifty... I felt like a real man. So my advice is: Go with a cold air intake with a foam air filter and your seat of the pants dyno still will not really notice it.... But it sounds mean as hell and you feel really good about yourself!

Ps I just read this and figured out two things... I just kinda blather on and on.... And I don't mention the k&n vs stock filter thing. I dyno tested a c55 and it picked up 8 hp over the stock oem filter. Whoop de doo. You can't feel that. You can change that much with different tanks of gas. Loose some weight. 4500 pound car / 270 hp.... Every 16 pounds is 1 hp... So to pick up 8 hp worth of performance.... Take out 150 pounds. Yeah. That might not be reasonable. I'm rambling again sorry.

So basically what you are saying is, you PERSONALLY have absolutely no experience with what the so called "haters and lovers" have personally experienced? Which, based on your own opinion, in turn means you shouldn't be commenting about what you don't know, since you have no actual experience?

Let me ask you an honest question, do you really think ONE person whom wrenched on a bunch of motors in his lifetime qualifies as a large enough data sample to speak for every single K&N owner on this earth?

The beauty of the internet (and the message forums found on them) is that a large population of enthusiasts can get together and share their opinions; and others can read them and make an educated decision based on a substantially large data sample.

One person coming in here trying to push their opinion that "K&N filters will not hard your engine" as fact, based on their limited experience is no better than these "haters and lovers" that you so boldly resent.

What I see here in this tread, before you showed up, is a great discussion of the upsides and downsides of having a K&N filter (albeit, more downsides than up, lol). I see real world experiences and issues, opinions of respected engineers and other members and so forth. Simply put, I see more than enough information for me to make an educated decision on if I want to purchase or not, if I was in the market for a new air filter.

However, what have you brought to the table?

 

[Stifler]

^ virtual b1tch slap

 

[bluebullet]

My K&Ns came pre-oiled for my 02 Chevy Duramax and my 99 SR5 4Runner. The 99
threw the check engine light twice. The first time the Toyota dealer charged me $35 to reset and clean the MAF sensor. The 2nd time the same Toyota dealer charged me $99 to "look at it" and cleaned the MAF sensor. Toyota mechanic suggested I use a standard Toyota filter. Done. It cost me an extra $99 and I did not "overoil" the filter, K&N did.

My mechanic changed the K&N on my diesel to a standard filter without asking and told me not to use K&Ns. They bugger up the MAF sensor.

K&Ns are a PITA to clean and reoil. Just get a standard filter and replace it as needed. Nice and easy to remove old and replace new.

 

[JDMcQ]

While I have never personally destroyed an engine using a K&N (or any of the other aftermarket oiled filters). I have seen dirt on the "clean" side of an intake tract behind them (mine and others). As far as i know, dirt in an engine is bad.

 

[westwind77]

I ran a K&N in my last vehicle for about 100k with no issues (from what I could tell) With all the bad rep it got on this forum I bailed and went with the AFE Power Dry filter, which others have here too. Don't remember the exact mileage I installed it at but probably have about 15k-20k on it with no issues.
Air Filters Direct Fit aFe Power Magnum FLOW OER PRO 5R Air Filters; Toyota 4Runner/FJ Cruiser 10-13 V6-4.0L 30-10208 - aFe Power

 

[Sundog7121]

I put on a K&N dry filter before this thread started. :rockon:

I'll take it off next oil change (5K miles on the K&N) because I'll believe most anything I'm told, especially when it goes to preserving my engine which I plan to run to 300K. :thumb3:

So :thanks: to all the comments on this thread.

:salute:

 

[Rubberdown]

Oh Eddie! My feeling!!! I feel like you raped me with those stinging comments. Sniffle and sob.

Ok so now.... Since my comments were all relevant only to the street, what about dirt bikes and their oiled foam filters. I know from experience they require lots lots more maintenance but they do the ultimate in filtering out oil and dust.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

While I have never seen an engine "destroyed" by a K&N filter as I don't rebuild engines as much as I used to years ago during my college years, I have seen plenty of K&N Filters in cars, plenty of oil saturated MAF elements, and plenty of very dirty, and under oiled K&N Filters. The previous statement leads me to believe that the majority of owners do not oil or clean their filters and fresh out of the box K&N Filters coat MAF sensors anyways. If you don't think a little oil is going to cause problems, go work on a BMW, VW/Audi, Mercedes, and/or other SUPER picky MAF cars; they'll set MILs if you use the wrong air filter (and yes there is a "wrong" air filter for some of those cars), the ones that have a K&N Filter almost ALWAYS have a MIL on for a MAF code at the very least (among your general slew of codes for BMW cars and other Germans makes.)

TRD Performance Air Filters are rebranded K&Ns and a lot of the techs at my dealership including me have seen MILs set because of them. Our dealership I think doesn't even have the parts to clean and re-oil them, nor do I think I have ever seen one be done at the dealer (not entirely sure why to be honest...)