K&N help please

[der Geist]

I have had the true flow kit on my car for about 4 months now and have had no problems. I am planning on cleaning the MAF this weekend. I think it would be common sense to clean your MAF once every few months if you are going to use a filter with oil.

Also-I let my filter sit out on paper towels with a weight on top for a few days before the install. There was not a large amount of excess oil but enough to make me think that it would be prudent for anyone intalling this filter to do it before installing it.

I have seen the arguments about the oil/MAF issues and from the number of MAF issues I have seen I think it is unfair to blame the filters on the MAF problem. Too many have gone bad and been replaced with normal filters to blame the oil based air filters entirely.

[pteam]

Originally Posted by der Geist

I think it is unfair to blame the filters on the MAF problem. Too many have gone bad and been replaced with normal filters to blame the oil based air filters entirely.

Thank you.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by der Geist

I have seen the arguments about the oil/MAF issues and from the number of MAF issues I have seen I think it is unfair to blame the filters on the MAF problem. Too many have gone bad and been replaced with normal filters to blame the oil based air filters entirely.

Good point Martin. I think an even larger number of MAF failures could be blamed on user error and people over oiling the filters which gives them a bad rep. Just for the record I've used a BMC cotton filter for over 3 years with no problems.

[danrhinofightteam]

here is the update. took out the k&n, replaced it with the oem filter and the problem went away.I didnt get a chance to clean the MAF yet. but plan on just incase sunday. But i drove for about 50miles on rt 33 and no problems at all,

[pteam]

Originally Posted by danrhinofightteam

here is the update. took out the k&n, replaced it with the oem filter and the problem went away.I didnt get a chance to clean the MAF yet. but plan on just incase sunday. But i drove for about 50miles on rt 33 and no problems at all,

Dan,

It sounds like you installed the filter wrong or backwards like somebody else said on this thread. If your MAF was dirty or damaged then just putting the old filter in wouldn't have reset the light. Your air intake box might not have been put back correctly or not aligned where it would have created a vacuum leak and set the CEL light off.

[danrhinofightteam]

no there was no light. Wierd, but i drove it anothr 60 miles to work today and its back to normal. I definatly didnt instal the k&n wrong i made sure of that. my guess is like people said too much oil.

[Cloudsurfer]

I'm pretty much on the fence on this issue. Coming from a motorcycle racing background (both motocross and roadracing) I'm very familiar with foam based filters and their efficiency. However, if you look at most good race teams, they still either swap the air filter for a clean one every race, or go through multiple "filter skins" which are basically a piece of oiled cotton that goes over the filter to catch the heavy stuff in the air. Key difference between my Honda CRF450R motocross bike and my Boxster? No MAF in the dirt bike.

I'm also very familiar with K&N filters, and their widespread use in motor racing. Unfortunately, the simple laws of physics apply here, and even K&N will tell you if you ask them that while their filters do, in fact, flow more air, they also flow more dirt. This has been verified by a few independent test labs to be the case as well. Race teams go through motors on a very frequent basis, so engine longevity isn't a concern to them. Performance is.

What it comes down to in my opinion, is what do you really think you gain by running an aftermarket filter in these cars? MAYBE a horsepower or two? I don't know about you guys, but on my street cars, especially a Porsche (which we all know does not have a cheap engine replacement plan) I am rather concerned about engine longevity and doing anything I can (within reason) to keep engine wear down. So why would you knowingly install a device into the car, who's purpose is to filter dirt from incoming air which is to be used in internal combustion, when it has been proven to also let in more dirt, while on the upside gains MAYBE a horsepower or two?

There unfortunately aren't easy ways to get more power out of these cars, and if you bought your Boxster to win stop light races, you bought the wrong car. I have an exhaust on my car for the purpose of sound only (which maybe improved throttle response a hair), and I de-snorked my car for the purpose of sound as well (again, I'm not sold on the "dyno proven" 3HP gain from that, and at the end of the day, don't really care either). I just don't see the point of risking MAF damage, and what is pretty much guaranteed increased engine wear by running an aftermarket filter in a car like this for no appreciable gains.

My advice, stick with the stock filter and airbox.

Just my $.02.

Patrick

[danrhinofightteam]

Well it finally happned, the cel came on. Had it scaned, MAf. Im gonna repalce it and burn that k&n...

[motoadve]

Does the EVO cold air intake , can cause similar damage?

[CJ_Boxster]

Originally Posted by danrhinofightteam

Well it finally happned, the cel came on. Had it scaned, MAf. Im gonna repalce it and burn that k&n...

clean it first.