K&N Engine Air Filter - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

DrCactus · 03-09-2015, 07:39 AM

Hey folks, I ordered myself a new K&N Engine Air Filter and after doing so I noticed some comments on older threads about it is not a good fit for the 2001 S. They also said that the filter can cause a MAF sensor problem... just wanted to see if anyone out there had any issues with the K&N filters.... good, bad, great, terrible - thanks folks.

Holy_Shift_986 · 03-09-2015, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrCactus

Hey folks, I ordered myself a new K&N Engine Air Filter and after doing so I noticed some comments on older threads about it is not a good fit for the 2001 S. They also said that the filter can cause a MAF sensor problem... just wanted to see if anyone out there had any issues with the K&N filters.... good, bad, great, terrible - thanks folks.

I have one in my S and I haven't had any problems yet. Put it in October of 2013. I just take it out every 4-6 months to hit it up against something to "clean" it.

Dlirium · 03-09-2015, 08:42 AM

Yeah, I bought one too, before I read all the "bad stuff". Probably would have avoided if I had read it, but that said, I haven't had a problem with mine either.

Put it in and run it. If you don't throw a code, you are good. If you do, put a paper one back in...easy enough.

antny · 03-09-2015, 08:49 AM

K&N filters come with way too much oil on the filters when bought new. The oil is what causes problems with he MAF where it will have the excess oil covering it. I have always blown the excess oil off the filters before installing with an air hose to prevent this.

DrCactus · 03-23-2015, 07:32 AM

Installed the K&N filter and so far no issues (knock on wood)...

husker boxster · 03-23-2015, 01:30 PM

Agree w/ Antny. Also be sure to reapply the oil or dirt will not stick to it as well as a paper filter. Just don't over do the oil & you'll be ok.

KRAM36 · 03-23-2015, 01:38 PM

You have to clean the filter also, not just reapply the oil. When I changed to the 987 Air Box, I stuck a Leaf Blower into the filter to push out the excess oil. Yeah, that's how much bigger the 987 air filter is over the 986 air filter.

Some say just wrap it in news paper over night and it will soak up the excess oil.

KenDFW · 03-24-2015, 03:05 PM

It's a greater concern for 97'-00' cars since they used a different MAF sensor that was more susceptible to contaminants. 97'-00' used 124. part number, 125.+ revised for better durability.

DrCactus · 03-25-2015, 03:32 AM

Thats good news for me as I have an 01 S... I'll still keep my fingers crossed! Thanks for the info...

kk2002s · 03-25-2015, 03:53 AM

PO installed a K&N
I install one on my previous Mustang GT
I never had an problems
Before I went on 2500 mile road trip last spring, I replaced with paper

Reason, I just didn't want it to be a factor that far from home
You clean, re-oil and put it back in and hope you didn't over oil so that it fouls the MAF

The other down side is the down time. It takes a while to dry out after cleaning and re-oiling. No Driving until its ready
For this I think you need a Paper with the K&N - Insert paper while cleaning K&N. Drive K&N for a while before any long trips

KRAM36 · 03-25-2015, 04:00 AM

Or you could buy 2 K&N air filters and have no downtime.

I've been running K&N filters since 1988 on all my vehicles and never had an issue with them.

mountainman · 03-25-2015, 05:27 AM

Bought one for my 04 limited edition which has the 987 filter and never could get it in and just gave up since I didn't want to go thru that every couple of months

KRAM36 · 03-25-2015, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

Bought one for my 04 limited edition which has the 987 filter and never could get it in and just gave up since I didn't want to go thru that every couple of months

They are a bit tough to get on the 987 air box. I ended up using a box knife and trimmed a bit of the rubber off of the inside edge of the opening all the way around to make an angel and it went on with ease.

DrCactus · 03-25-2015, 07:14 AM

Yeah I had a tought time installing it aswell as it closed fine up until about 1 inch left at which I had to use a hammer and cloth to slowly tap it closed. Not looking forward to trying to open it next year... lol.

KRAM36 · 03-25-2015, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrCactus

Yeah I had a tought time installing it aswell as it closed fine up until about 1 inch left at which I had to use a hammer and cloth to slowly tap it closed. Not looking forward to trying to open it next year... lol.

I had the same issue with the stock filter on the 986 air box, pulling it back out wasn't a problem though. So I don't think you'll have a tough time getting it out.

mump · 03-25-2015, 07:25 AM

I run a K&N in my '01 S; that being said, I have replaced my MAF sensor last year due to codes it was throwing.

I have had my boxster for 4 years now. When I bought it, a month later, it threw a couple of codes and clean it due to the advise of this forum. When I cleaned it was the same time I put in the K&N. The MAF lasted another 3 years before going tits up. So, withthat being said, I can't say I blame the K&N...