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+--- Thread: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! (/showthread.php?tid=4865)
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Gumby 1100_imp - 10-07-2016
K&N has changed their supplier of Oil Filters so many times lately, that I'm not surprised that they are having quality issues.
They have been made in Korea, Thailand (by HiFloFiltro, a respected filter manufacturer) and now most recently China.
Seeing that many countries of origin on the packaging makes it easier for such items to be counterfeited without a lot of questions being asked by the consumer.
How many of these failures have been with counterfeit vs legitimate filters, and how would you know for sure?
I have read about seal failures going back some 4 or 5 years, but I always attributed those to improper installation (failure to lubricate the seal or clean the seating surface).
Actual canister failures at the nut connection seem to be a relatively new development. If you read the K&N literature, they make it clear that the nut is for REMOVAL ONLY, and is not intended for installation. I would suspect that some of the failures are a result of installation using a wrench on the nut, thereby breaking the weld, and this is what K&N will claim! (If they ever respond to this issue!). That said, the weld should be strong enough not to fail even if someone did install the filter in this way.
I have at least two K&N Oil filters still on the shelf, each from a different factory/country of origin. I will be looking them over closely, and likely tossing them if I am not satisfied that the nut connection looks solid.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Razor - 10-07-2016
I've been running the K&N oil filter on the Harley with no problems.
As Gumby stated "the nut is for removal"
I'll be watching as people chime in with updates or more info.
Good stuff!
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - aschem_imp - 10-07-2016
An alternative filter--This fits and made in USA: http://perf-form.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=67
I have used Perf Form filters on my Buell and my Honda.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Gumby 1100_imp - 10-11-2016
(10-05-2016, 01:48 PM)davidsargee_imp Wrote:(10-01-2016, 09:22 PM)venturer434_imp Wrote: davidsargee , I am glad to see that you and your bike were able to recover from this incident safely... I guess we have to just stick with OEM filters... Did you notice any warnings for low oil pressure light during this incident?
I did not, but I was busy trying to get across the freeway to the exit, then I shut the engine down and coasted. I should have looked for that but frankly, I reacted more than thought about what I was doing. When the rear wheel started spinning was when I knew I was leaking oil, next thought was to kill the engine asap.
I am riding again after a good thorough cleanup and there have been no signs of internal damage. I'm watching the oil level very closely, it hasn't changed. Knock on wood, I think the bike is alright.
(09-30-2016, 11:25 PM)Ron in MO_imp Wrote: Just saw this thread and was surprised to hear that this is common problem. I too used a K&N filter at my first oil change and ended up with a leak. Caught it pretty quickly when I noticed oil drips on my garage floor. Now it's only Honda OEM parts for any maintenance!
Me too,
(10-01-2016, 07:46 AM)kmoney_imp Wrote: I never though the nut attached like that. I always though it was a normal spin-on filter with the nut tack welded onto the top. From that pic it looks like the weld around the nut actually has to seal a hole in the top of the filter.
You should send the pics and info to K&N. I doubt they will do anything, but if they get enough submissions hopefully it will ecourage them to reengineer their product.
I have been told that the weld is sometimes too hot, creating a pin-hole, this washes out and causes the nut assembly to pull away from the housing. I have debated sending K&N a nice email with pictures, and I might, but it is so easy to find all of the accounts of troubles with a simple internet search, I can only conclude that they know all about it. They need to pull that product from the shelves before someone gets killed, I hope that is not what it takes.
For everyone's sake, please e-mail or call K&N soonest:
1-800-858-3333
I just got off line from web-chatting with a K&N Rep and they claim to have no knowledge of any filters failing and potentially causing a life-threatening motorcycle accident. I mentioned that their legal department must not have done any web searches in the last 5 years and that K&N should probably be getting ready for some serious litigation.
You need to advise them of your situation so that they cannot claim ignorance.
Hopefully they will initiate a recall because this is a real SAFETY ISSUE, not just a matter of inconvenience.
I pointedly asked if model KN-204 filters made in a certain country are more likely to leak than others and was told that "All K&N Filters are made to the same quality standards". That was no help, so I may be seeing if my retailer will accept returns of unused K&N Oil Filters for exchange with something safer...if not, a Korean and Chinese filter will be going into the trash! Trashing them is actually the altruistic thing to do, as they could not then be used by some unsuspecting motorcyclist.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - kennyw - 10-11-2016
Phone calls are not enough, you need a paper trail.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Gumby 1100_imp - 10-11-2016
(10-11-2016, 06:07 AM)kennyw_imp Wrote: Phone calls are not enough, you need a paper trail.
True, if you plan to make a warranty claim or enter litigation.
But if enough people start calling to express their concerns...this has to help too, won't it?
The number they gave me (1-800-858-3333) is for just that purpose.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - kennyw - 10-11-2016
I would call to start the process, then email or write a letter as a follow up.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Carguy1959_imp - 10-11-2016
I have been using Wix filters, had one come loose and cause a drip. Probably my fault..
K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Cormanus - 10-23-2016
Bump!
Five days ago Pterodactyl's K&N oil filter failed in exactly this way. Luckily no great harm was done. His exhaust and rear tyre got a good coating of oil and he was lucky to have been on a good highway.
I'll remove my first K&N filter at the first opportunity.
RE: K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!! - Ulvetanna_imp - 10-23-2016
Use the OEM parts.
I was just singing the praises of HiFlo Filtro air filters, they seem like a really good value. Every 5K, why not?
But on something like an oil filter, where failure can be dire...OEM always.
Nothing to do with where it's made; Kawi OEM filters are made in China but to the right specifications, at least the ones for my (2015) ZX-10R.
My CB1100 manual was printed in China. I can read it just fine.
After all the CB1100 was "Made in Japan".
Most of it anyway.