KIRT

Yes mine does use the plastic tube and according to K&N this plastic tube has been problematic. I called them up today and explained my problem. They told me that they have had occasional issues with these kits. They claim the plastic tube flexes due to temperature changes and engine vibration. They explained this can cause the clamps to loosen and may damage the rubber couplers. They recomended checking and tightening them monthly as needed to avoid these issues. They told me they would send me two new couplers and clamps free of charge if i chose to continue using the intake. All in all they were very helpfull and apologetic. As for the issue of this kit being a true cold air intake they said that in the add for this kit that they make no such claim. They explained to me that the kit only claims to increase intake flow and encourages cold air flow due to placement but it will pull air from any surrounding area including the engine compartment. I already knew that. I guess i should have done my homework before buying this kit. So I will continue using the kit for now but i am looking around for a true cold air intake kit to install as soon as possible.

BOwnz4

not that k&n makes a bad product, all in all I think they make a fairly decent CAI, but after doing a little research every site or magazine I read rated the Volant CAI at the top or near. I put one on my truck and have not regretted it, sounds good it has much better throttle response and I get about 1-1.25 more mpg. The thing that sold me was that they claim it will not trip check engine light, and so far it hasn't. I'm happy with it and got it not too much more that the k&n and shipped to my door.

KIRT

Thanks for the input. All my research is pointing towards the volant also.

Ty

If I were going to do it again, I would also go for a "dry" filter just to cut that bit of maintance, but I still love my k&n intake. The top notch customer service that k&n has also makes me stand behind their products even more, because I feel that customer service is so often overlooked today, and I appriciate a company that will take care of you after they already have your money.

dre23

I don't doubt whatsoever Kirt that the product you installed was a POS. Personally, my first CAI was K&N's, but it was the 77 series and I had no probs with it.

Now, with that being said, after about 6 months (with no probs still) I decided to switch to the 3.0" Air Force One from Troyer which I LOVE! The look of the product and just "the feel" when my truck runs (may be psychosomatic...???) is just really nice, smooth, yet strong.

I have nothing bad to say about K&N as I have read hundreds of positive reviews about their Cold Air Intakes, but as is the case with I would believe ANY company that is mass producing these products, there is bound to be some jacked-up ones that fall thru the cracks with no fault of the customer at all (as I see some posts have tried to blame you for faulty intstallation...)

By the by, even though it was a half truth (okay, it was a full lie ) when I decided to switch to the Air Force One, I called K&N and told them that there product was making my truck run lean, and after asking me maybe half a dozen questions, they told me to ship it back to them and gave me a full refund which I used that money towards my AF1. Yeah, I know that I took advantage of a good company, but that is even more of a reason why I have nothing bad to say about them.

Rubicon35

i would never sugest to anyone to put a k&n in there vehicle. the oil messes with sensors in the intake and they dont filter the junk that they should. I took off a buddies intake and the entire inside of the tube had fine dust/sand particles in it. sorry i dont wnat that crap in my engine. A dry filter is whats suposed to be in these trucks and thats what should stay. there are too many other intakes to take a chance with these.

BigBlack08XLT

I have always run K&N filters, wether it be the CAI or the filter alone in the stock air box. I have it in my 08 civic, and the CAI in my 01 cobra, 08 f150 and my 05 rubicon(sold). Never any problems, always checked the clamps periodically. Rubicon35 is correct about the sensors getting covered in the oil, but only if you over do it with the oil spray when cleaning. Im sticking with K&N as my personal preference. There are so many choices out there, just depends on your preference.

By the way, the 2005 K&N kits for 4.6 dont fit the 07 and up because of the difference in MAF housings if anyone wanted to know.

wxmcpo

Have never run the K&N so can't say anything positive or negative about it, but can back up what dre23 is saying. The 3" AF1 is awesome. Been running one on my truck for over 1 1/2 years now and absolutely love it. No issues whatsoever and would recommend this CAI to anyone.

Buck

I love My AFE so far.....ANd from what I've heard its comparable to the Volant. I installed it a few months back and the quality seems pretty good. I prefer the plastic tubing to stay away from any heat soak that could occur. I had an aluminum tubed True CAI in my old Mazda Protege and I could reach in after driving and feel the that the tubing was hto from the engine heat...even though it was a true CAI, with the air filter in the wheel well the tubing was heating up in the engine bay and thereby heating up the air as it passed through. Not saying the same would happen on our F150s but it is a definite and proven possibility with aluminum tubed intakes.

Mod (Ret.)

I believe we have had this discussion before; this is why I provided K&N's question and answers link a few replies ago, as well as in past threads. They debunk the myths that oil from their filter gets on any sensors. Total untruth. If you read their site, they stand behind their product and will repair any damage done if it can be proven.

By all means, do your homework before you buy any CAI kit. As most have pointed out here, the K&N kit is not a complete, full CAI kit. But the price of their kit should identify that as compared to the other advertised complete CAI ones sold.
While I run an K&N kit on mine (without problems mentioned in this thread), I would have liked to have bought a "box" style CAI, but the price of my K&N made my decision. I have a 4.2 liter V6, so power is not my driving point. I kept the single exhaust, but replaced the massive "horse troft" muffler with a turbo muffler.

My last point in this subject is to recommend a bit of homework before you buy. Do not base your purchase upon the myths and opinions with no facts that are spread here and on other sites. Call K&N, call Volant, call any manufacturer of an intake system; ask them if an "oiled" filter harms sensors (such as the mass air flow or temperature sensors). All will tell you that they don't, regardless of who makes it. Base your purchase on what you're trying to obtain (gass mileage, HP, etc), and not by untruths that are told on the internet.

You may recall the myths and untruths that were spread years ago about how bad synthetics were for engines. The same continues today with certain parts, engine additives, and modifications today.