Potentially lethal oil filter
Discussion
It's not often I put up original posts but if I didn't in this case my conscience would seriously trouble me. So:
Coming off the M77 slip road into the 1st roundabout, I take the 2nd exit and the back end steps out. Big time. I'm not going fast. f
k, gotta be a big oil/diesel spill there. Heading down to the 2nd roundabout and thinking I'll go back round and have a look, do something about it if it's bad enough, 101 or something like that...
Now onto the 2nd roundabout and preparing to double back but start noticing people shouting at me (visor up as I'm Scottish and cooking in any temp above 15c and today is nearly 30c). Guy on a bike at one of the entry's is waving frantically at me. WTF. My left leg is toasty. Again, WTF and look down. My bike is on fire. So I pull over and stop (well, emergency brake, bail and drop the fking thing). Like a hot potato. Well, hot Daytona...
Filling station 20yds away so I run up, grab fire extinguisher, powder everywhere but on the bright side the bike is no longer trying to consume itself. Whole bunch of people including the biker (if you're on here, you'll recognise this tale so thanks very, very much for your help) help me out and re-affirm my faith in basic humanity
Oh fk, here comes the Fire Engine from Pollok. Again, great bunch of lads and girls and I'll be down later with some shandies to show my appreciation.
Oil all over back wheel and and a line of it from the 1st roundabout down to where I made my emergency exit. Thank god that it didn't happen earlier on the motorway or on the dual carriageway a few minutes before that when I was 'making progress' or, at best, I'd be posting this from A&E.
What caused all this? A well known fault with a Krap & Neveragain oil filter, the one with the hex nut spot welded onto the top of the filter. Google it, it's a known/common fault. I have no excuse why I didn't know this beforehand apart from that I would reasonably expect a major manufacturer to sell components that are at least fit for purpose and certainly not sell ones that are known to be, arguably, lethal and dangerous.
Pictures to follow.
ETA an update as of September 2017: K&N Issue oil filter recall due to oil leaking from faulty nut on cannister - https://www.knfilters.com/recallkn204
Coming off the M77 slip road into the 1st roundabout, I take the 2nd exit and the back end steps out. Big time. I'm not going fast. f
k, gotta be a big oil/diesel spill there. Heading down to the 2nd roundabout and thinking I'll go back round and have a look, do something about it if it's bad enough, 101 or something like that...Now onto the 2nd roundabout and preparing to double back but start noticing people shouting at me (visor up as I'm Scottish and cooking in any temp above 15c and today is nearly 30c). Guy on a bike at one of the entry's is waving frantically at me. WTF. My left leg is toasty. Again, WTF and look down. My bike is on fire. So I pull over and stop (well, emergency brake, bail and drop the f
king thing). Like a hot potato. Well, hot Daytona...Filling station 20yds away so I run up, grab fire extinguisher, powder everywhere but on the bright side the bike is no longer trying to consume itself. Whole bunch of people including the biker (if you're on here, you'll recognise this tale so thanks very, very much for your help) help me out and re-affirm my faith in basic humanity
Oh fk, here comes the Fire Engine from Pollok. Again, great bunch of lads and girls and I'll be down later with some shandies to show my appreciation.Oil all over back wheel and and a line of it from the 1st roundabout down to where I made my emergency exit. Thank god that it didn't happen earlier on the motorway or on the dual carriageway a few minutes before that when I was 'making progress' or, at best, I'd be posting this from A&E.
What caused all this? A well known fault with a Krap & Neveragain oil filter, the one with the hex nut spot welded onto the top of the filter. Google it, it's a known/common fault. I have no excuse why I didn't know this beforehand apart from that I would reasonably expect a major manufacturer to sell components that are at least fit for purpose and certainly not sell ones that are known to be, arguably, lethal and dangerous.
Pictures to follow.
ETA an update as of September 2017: K&N Issue oil filter recall due to oil leaking from faulty nut on cannister - https://www.knfilters.com/recallkn204
Edited by naetype on Friday 15th September 10:03
After years of using that particular brand, without issues I must say, I was black flagged at a track day because of "vapour" coming from the bellypan area.
Turned out the filter had a minuscule split behind the nut, which was only apparent at high revs, presumably when the oil pressure was higher.
Got home, and like you, and an internet search suggests this is not uncommon.
It's a shame, but my confidence in that particular brand has been shaken and I've started using standard filters.
I do wonder though if the splits are caused by over tightening, facilitated by the "nut" that is welded on to the casing.
Turned out the filter had a minuscule split behind the nut, which was only apparent at high revs, presumably when the oil pressure was higher.
Got home, and like you, and an internet search suggests this is not uncommon.
It's a shame, but my confidence in that particular brand has been shaken and I've started using standard filters.
I do wonder though if the splits are caused by over tightening, facilitated by the "nut" that is welded on to the casing.
OP sorry for your issues. Myself in 40 plus years or riding have never used anything g but OE parts for critical components. Oil filter falls into that category for me. The manufacturer designed the engine the oil ways and set a standard for the filter to their suppliers. Who am I to disagree with them and use an alternative.
I guess you'll be attempting to claim against K&N (through your insurers initially) for this.
Should be interesting. I just searched myself, and most hits are in the US, one of which had a reply from K&N in it that was entirely missing the seriousness of the fault (intentionally or not?) and offering to send the complainant a replacement free of charge.
I have had a fault previously with some ASV levers where the clutch cable was rubbing as the lever was pulled (obvious case of nobody checking a particular lever on every model they say it fits) and could easily have frayed and snapped. Speaking to ASV in the US all the noises they made were positive (I took pictures and sent them). End result, chased them up several times, nothing happened, fobbed off.
I took the levers off and sent them back to Sportsbikeshop, paying the difference for some Renthal Intellilevers. I won't buy ASV again.
Should be interesting. I just searched myself, and most hits are in the US, one of which had a reply from K&N in it that was entirely missing the seriousness of the fault (intentionally or not?) and offering to send the complainant a replacement free of charge.
I have had a fault previously with some ASV levers where the clutch cable was rubbing as the lever was pulled (obvious case of nobody checking a particular lever on every model they say it fits) and could easily have frayed and snapped. Speaking to ASV in the US all the noises they made were positive (I took pictures and sent them). End result, chased them up several times, nothing happened, fobbed off.
I took the levers off and sent them back to Sportsbikeshop, paying the difference for some Renthal Intellilevers. I won't buy ASV again.
Pictures as promised.
Leak from filter can be seen here quite clearly:
Obviously when running under pressure this became quite significant as can be seen on the rear tyre:
and the immediate aftermath with some rather helpful firemen.
Bike seems to be fine, surprisingly enough. Some melted electrical wires and connections but nothing too hard to fix (I think) and the crash bungs seem to have done their job when I dropped it. Still need to start her up though but will wait till electrics are replaced before I do that. Overall it could've been a LOT worse.
If anyone could let me know how to resize those pics that'd be good...
Leak from filter can be seen here quite clearly:
Obviously when running under pressure this became quite significant as can be seen on the rear tyre:
and the immediate aftermath with some rather helpful firemen.
Bike seems to be fine, surprisingly enough. Some melted electrical wires and connections but nothing too hard to fix (I think) and the crash bungs seem to have done their job when I dropped it. Still need to start her up though but will wait till electrics are replaced before I do that. Overall it could've been a LOT worse.
If anyone could let me know how to resize those pics that'd be good...
Edited by naetype on Saturday 27th May 13:16
bgunn said:
I wasn't even aware.
One to avoid - I've a friend who's got one on his MX5 too, which I've advised he removes forthwith!
... Don't say that... Just bought one for my Mx5 last week, it's sitting on my desk waiting to be fit, I figured it was worth the extra £1.50 I paid over a genuine Mazda filter for the nut on top come removal time, although asides from this I have heard nothing but good things. One to avoid - I've a friend who's got one on his MX5 too, which I've advised he removes forthwith!
At least my air filter is a nice reliable pipercross
Sorry to hear this but at least you're Ok and the bike doesn't look too bad.
I too only use OEM stuff like oil and air filters.
Its really important that all fuel lines are checked/replaced before you use the bike again as they can look ok but can/will be brittle after a fire.
I was up in Scotland yesterday and it was a lovely day weather wise.
I too only use OEM stuff like oil and air filters.
Its really important that all fuel lines are checked/replaced before you use the bike again as they can look ok but can/will be brittle after a fire.
I was up in Scotland yesterday and it was a lovely day weather wise.
The assumption that I used the nut to tighten it is just that - an assumption based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever. So, just to make it clear, NO I didn't tighten it using the nut on top, YES, I lubed the oil seal beforehand with oil (even though it comes pre-lubed).
I'm afraid I didn't video me installing it so you'll just have to take my word for it. Or not. If by posting this I stop someone else from going through this drama then good, that was the intention of the original post, and in that it'll have served its purpose.
I'm afraid I didn't video me installing it so you'll just have to take my word for it. Or not. If by posting this I stop someone else from going through this drama then good, that was the intention of the original post, and in that it'll have served its purpose.
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