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When I bought my F150 in Nov of 2015 I bought a K&N drop in air filter. Today while checking my fluids I noticed it was pretty dirty and needs a good cleaning. I got a good price on the filter for $30 on the web or I probably would not have bought it.
Now heres my dilemma, Ive heard Oem are better filters and heard negative things about K&N since I bought the filter and need some input. The cleaning kit is about $20 and a oem air filter is the about the same price. Should I buy the cleaning kit or just toss the K&N and buy a oem filter?
When I bought my F150 in Nov of 2015 I bought a K&N drop in air filter. Today while checking my fluids I noticed it was pretty dirty and needs a good cleaning. I got a good price on the filter for $30 on the web or I probably would not have bought it.
Now heres my dilemma, Ive heard Oem are better filters and heard negative things about K&N since I bought the filter and need some input. The cleaning kit is about $20 and a oem air filter is the about the same price. Should I buy the cleaning kit or just toss the K&N and buy a oem filter?
Personally I'd ditch the K&N and get a paper filter.
FWIR the oiled filters rely more on the oil catching debris and they're easy to over-oil (which can cause sensor problems) or under-oil which can allow particles that should be caught to enter the engine.
Safer/easier IMO to just get the paper filters and change them every 20k mi or whatever.
Right up front I'll say I'm not a fan of the K&N. As a dirt bike rider years ago, they did a good job of keeping rocks out of the carb, on a street driven vehicle I believe they are somewhat more trouble and expense than they're worth....and I don't believe they filter as well as a good OEM filter.
I'd go on Amazon and buy a few Motorcraft OEM filters to have around and get rid of the K&N.
Went to a few sites online that tested different filters. The Napa Gold actually flowed as well as a K&N yet actually trapped dirt, unlike the K&N. I got about .5 mile per gallon after I switched from ford stock.
I just did my 15k mile oil change, and figured I'd do the air filter as well. I was getting the oil at Walmart, so I bought a $10 Fram air filter. I had no idea how bad my OEM filter was. WOW! The manual states to change it every 15k - 30k miles, I think I might do it every 10k if it looks like this...
I just did my 15k mile oil change, and figured I'd do the air filter as well. I was getting the oil at Walmart, so I bought a $10 Fram air filter. I had no idea how bad my OEM filter was. WOW! The manual states to change it every 15k - 30k miles, I think I might do it every 10k if it looks like this...
What did the "other side" of the dirty filter look like? ie was it still doing its job?
Either way a dry filter is better for your intake. Right now I think Rockauto has the best price as Amazon has gone from $11 to $15 over the last couple of months.
I change mine every time my truck has a birthday (1 year) regardless of the mileage. Change the cabin air filter at the same time as well.
Just remember that the dirtier the filter the cleaner the air coming out is.. And as long as it's supplies the required amount of air no reason to change it..
03-15-2017, 04:02 PM
Oem Motorcraft air filter vs K&N
