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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.
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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!
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An alternative filter--This fits and made in USA:
http://perf-form.com/store/index.php?rou...duct_id=67
I have used Perf Form filters on my Buell and my Honda.
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(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.
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Phone calls are not enough, you need a paper trail.
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(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.
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I would call to start the process, then email or write a letter as a follow up.
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I have been using Wix filters, had one come loose and cause a drip. Probably my fault..
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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.
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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.
