Re: [alfa] K&N 164 experience

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Jose:

I've had a similar experience, using a K&N filter element in the original 
airbox on my BMW M3.  The intake system is actually very similar to a Spica 
Alfa, as there is a large plenum and 4 individual runners and 
throttles.  After about 5K miles with the K&N I had the intake off for some 
reason, and noticed that the "clean" side of the airbox, the AFM, the 
plenum, and runners all had a serious amount of grit in them.  It wasn't 
especially oily, just gritty, and I shuddered to think what damage had been 
done to the cylinder walls from it.  Previous to that experience the car 
had 40K of driving with the stock paper filter element, and on other 
occasions when I had the intake apart I had never seen any dirt on any 
parts.  So, that K&N went straight to the trash and a paper element was 
re-installed.

I think the whole K&N story is full of holes.  Besides my evidence that 
filtering of particulate matter was much worse than paper, I haven't seen 
any evidence that paper is restrictive when properly maintained, and the 
part about the oiled cloth "straightening" the airflow is 
laughable.  Further, replacing a stock air cleaner with one of their filter 
cones or other open element is bound to draw in air that is hotter than in 
a well-designed stock system, which is most definitely not going to improve 
horsepower.  Certainly YMMV, but I'm not going to believe there is any 
benefit to a K&N filter, other than the fact that it's washable.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 05:38 PM 7/27/2004, you wrote:

> Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 11:24:40 -0600
> From: "Jose R. Castro" <jcastro@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] K&N 164 experience
>
> Hello:
>
> I installed an K&N air filter on my 1995 Alfa Super a few months back. At the
> time it seemed a good idea and a good money saver in the long run. Everything
> ran fine until this last Friday when my car engine suddenly died on a busy
> intersection. The engine would not start and the symptoms were those of  empty
> fuel tank: It seemed to catch while cranking only to die the minute I released
> the starter, no matter how I pumped the gas pedal! I had filled the tank
> earlier that day, so I knew I had fuel. I inspected the corresponding fuses
> and electricals assuming that fuel wasn't getting to the engine. No luck. So I
> waited for the tow truck to arrive. After waiting for about 20 minutes, I
> decided to try one last time and the engine started right away although it
> would hunt at idle. If I released the gas pedal after keeping the engine at
> around 3000 rpm, it would not idle, it would die. If I released the gas pedal
> slowly, it would idle erratically. Drove the car to my office where I could
> check everything under the hood, cleaned connectors and rechecked fuses.
> Couldn't find any problems. Over the weekend I decided to do further checking
> and opened the air cleaner box. The air meter and hose were completely covered
> with an oily grime. It seems that the K&N does let more air through but it
> also lets some dust (that mixes with the filter oil) into the system. Cleaned
> it all out using WD-40 and re-installed a standard air filter. Started the
> engine and the idle hunting disappeared and now the car runs better and the
> engine temp is reading lower at same driving conditions!
> I am tempted to conclude that all that grit was interfering with the normal
> fuel mixture operation, but can't be 100% sure. Has anybody else experienced
> this type of problem with their K&N filters?
>
> Jose R. Castro
> 1995 164 Super
> El Salvador
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