Do k&n type filters ruin your engine?

ferry

I have just bought a car where the previous owner has fitted a k&n cone filter where the airbox should be.
Not normally a fan of this type of modification and my first thoughts were to put everything back to standard but got to say it feels smoother on acceleration and has a nicer roar at certain revs.
But does this come at a cost to my engine or even messing with the air flow sensor ?
not done much in the way of research yet but thought i would run this by you clever lot out of curiosity.
I have also factored in the potential of invalidating my insurance etc also seems to be mixed opinions online.
Any thoughts or advice appreciated

Gloomendoom

Their filtering efficiency is open to question.

I've used them in the past but found that unless they are in an airbox breathing cool air, they actually reduce power.

forgotmyname

Have you notified your insurance the car is modified?

Not a fan of them, modern filters work well and probably have zero restriction on the air intake unless overdue a service.

Sell it on ebay and fit a standard setup and probably have a few £ left over.

Strider590

They work well, they need regular cleaning and oiling if used in an everyday car. Failing to do so can lead to dust particles getting into the combustion chamber and damaging valve seats + sticking to oil in the bores and making it's way into the engine oil.

On a specialist car, low mileage, high performance, with regular maintenance, they're great...... But on an everyday car, the evidence would suggest they do more harm than good.

straighttalker

I had a Porsche 996, fitted one and the car threw a hissy fit when I fitted a K&N. All sorts of lights came on including the EML. Took it off after one quick drive around the block and refitted the standard airbox.

My current Audi A8 TFSI has one fitted. It's been on for around two months and the car is running fine. I only bought it because it was cheap on Ebay though.

Nodding_Donkey

It all depends on the car. Some benefit, some don't

Strider590

straighttalker wrote: »

I had a Porsche 996, fitted one and the car threw a hissy fit when I fitted a K&N. All sorts of lights came on including the EML. Took it off after one quick drive around the block and refitted the standard airbox.

My current Audi A8 TFSI has one fitted. It's been on for around two months and the car is running fine. I only bought it because it was cheap on Ebay though.

Seeing as the airbox usually contains important sensors, i'm not too surprised. I'm not being funny, but people buy these kits hoping for instant performance gains and don't really understand what they're doing.

Retrogamer

Unless it's a turbocharged car with extensive modifications you'll probably lose some power and fuel economy as it will be drawing in a hot of hot air around the engine bay. Especially at lower speeds.

Most people don't oil the filters. If you don't oil them, then small particles of dust can pass through. If you do oil them, then the suction front he engine can suck off some of the oil and make it come into contact with the MAF and cause other problems.

They do sound nice though

Norman_Castle

Not normally a fan of this type of modification and my first thoughts were to put everything back to standard but got to say it feels smoother on acceleration and has a nicer roar at certain revs.

Did you drive it before this was fitted. If not, how can it now feel smoother?

motorguy

In reality, on non specialist cars, they just make a nicer sound (to some peoples ears)

On a lot of modern cars though the reality is you're losing power because of them - modern engine bays are that cramped that theres no easy way to get cool air to just the filter on its own.

straighttalker

Strider590 wrote: »

Seeing as the airbox usually contains important sensors, i'm not too surprised. I'm not being funny, but people buy these kits hoping for instant performance gains and don't really understand what they're doing.

No such sensors in the airbox of the 996 as the MAF is positioned in the pipe between the filter and engine as is the case in most cars. I think the Porsche just didn't like the increased airflow.