K&N panel filter on a E36 M3

[sniff diesel]

Got hold of one today that looks barely used for the bargain price of a tenner. Was wondering if I you keep it oiled up as I'd read that the oil can affect the MAF sensor. If I do need to clean the oil off what's the best way to do this - with petrol or white spirit or something else?

[MarkwG]

Hi - I use K&N cleaning fluid, then carefully reoil & let it soak in for 24hrs. I've only done my M3's once, it's on 97k & the MAF is fine.

[sniff diesel]

Thanks for that Mark, how many miles has yours done with the K&N filter then? Did you notice any differance with it?

[Vixpy1]

I would'nt let one near any car with a MAF

[MarkwG]

I fitted it at roughly 30k, so it's been in for 67k-ish: the MAF's fine, touch wood! I've used them in pretty much every car I've owned since the early 90s, never had a filter related issue. That would cover Alfa, Honda, BMW & Vauxhall. I've replaced one MAF in that time, on one of the Alfas: they chew MAFs anyway, but there was no indication it was contaminated by the filter oil, which was in for 45k before it died, anyway.
As to benefits - can't honestly say I ever felt much of a change, but, since I tend to hang onto cars for a while, the benefit is in not having to spend out on paper filters every service. They are a far more substantial bit of kit compared to the normal paper jobs, & I personally feel they catch far more debris than the standard fit ever could, so I'm a fan. Make sure it doesn't get binned by the garage, if your car is garage serviced - they provide a warning sticker, for that purpose, & bear in mind, they are not "fit'n'forget" - they still need a visual check for large items, leaves etc, or impact damage.

[sniff diesel]

Vixpy1 said:

I would'nt let one near any car with a MAF

Just to clarify, is that any K&N filter or just any oiled filter?

[Vixpy1]

sniff diesel said:

Vixpy1 said:

I would'nt let one near any car with a MAF

Just to clarify, is that any K&N filter or just any oiled filter?

Any oiled filter, If they are overoiled they will kill certain MAF's, and most of them seem to be overoiled!

[sniff diesel]

Vixpy1 said:

sniff diesel said:

Vixpy1 said:

I would'nt let one near any car with a MAF

Just to clarify, is that any K&N filter or just any oiled filter?

Any oiled filter, If they are overoiled they will kill certain MAF's, and most of them seem to be overoiled!

So if I clean the oil off, then fit it, would that be ok? Is it likely to give any gains over a standard paper filter?

[Vixpy1]

sniff diesel said:

Vixpy1 said:

sniff diesel said:

Vixpy1 said:

I would'nt let one near any car with a MAF

Just to clarify, is that any K&N filter or just any oiled filter?

Any oiled filter, If they are overoiled they will kill certain MAF's, and most of them seem to be overoiled!

So if I clean the oil off, then fit it, would that be ok? Is it likely to give any gains over a standard paper filter?

Yes, you may be ok, however i can't see it giving any gains, I've not done any testing though

[Great Pretender]

jz325i said:

As for power gains, I doubt it. But K&N will probably have test results.

Edited to add: Follow their cleaning and oiling instructions (PDF on their website, and the kit should come with a copy).

Edited by jz325i on Wednesday 20th January 16:51

I should expect so...