K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!!

[ryanschillinger_imp]

This is weird to hear. I used to use those filters all the time without issue. Maybe QC has gone way downhill.

[Sam Mac_imp]

This is from the K&N on-line store.
2014 HONDA CB1100 1140 - All Models Oil Filter •17mm Nut for Easy Removal
•Heavy Duty Construction KN-204 K&N KN-204 Oil Filter Your Price: $15.49

Why would you use a K&N when the OEM Honda filter is only $9.93 ?

[the Ferret]

Maybe on some bikes, having the nut would come in handy, but on the CB there is such good access to the filter from the front ( using oil filter cup) or from the side (using a strap wrench or slip jaw type filter wrench) not having the nut on the stock Honda filter presents no obstacle for filter removal.

[emptysea]

This is from the K&N on-line store.
2014 HONDA CB1100 1140 - All Models Oil Filter •17mm Nut for Easy Removal
•Heavy Duty Construction KN-204 K&N KN-204 Oil Filter Your Price: $15.49

Why would you use a K&N when the OEM Honda filter is only $9.93 ?

I haven't made the swap myself, but I considered it because K&N has a good reputation for making filters and because you can get it with a chrome cover. For me, it was just another subtle mod, but I'm glad now I didn't go with it.

[chync_imp]

I read this thread the first time a few weeks ago. I had just installed the K&N oil filter mentioned here at my last oil change. I was convinced it wasn't worth the risk of this happening to me and that I would switch back to the OEM filters at my next oil change. Well I never made it to my next oil change. The filter stared leaking right at the area that the nut is attached to the filter. Luckily I was literally 50 feet from my home when I noticed the smoke of the oil on the muffler after a 30 mile ride. It was pouring out. Makes me question their air filters now...

[Elipten_imp]

Good lord! If you have one installed, consider yourself warned. Replace it now, do not wait. The life you save could be yours!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Inhouse Bob]

I read this thread the first time a few weeks ago. I had just installed the K&N oil filter mentioned here at my last oil change. I was convinced it wasn't worth the risk of this happening to me and that I would switch back to the OEM filters at my next oil change. Well I never made it to my next oil change. The filter stared leaking right at the area that the nut is attached to the filter. Luckily I was literally 50 feet from my home when I noticed the smoke of the oil on the muffler after a 30 mile ride. It was pouring out. Makes me question their air filters now...

The good news is, you can pull the filter without doing a full oil change. I removed my filter without draining the oil and lost maybe three tablespoons of oil from the filter hole. So put a catch basin under there, but don't fear a flood.

[Sam Mac_imp]

I read this thread the first time a few weeks ago. I had just installed the K&N oil filter mentioned here at my last oil change. I was convinced it wasn't worth the risk of this happening to me and that I would switch back to the OEM filters at my next oil change. Well I never made it to my next oil change. The filter stared leaking right at the area that the nut is attached to the filter. Luckily I was literally 50 feet from my home when I noticed the smoke of the oil on the muffler after a 30 mile ride. It was pouring out. Makes me question their air filters now...

I'll just put this out for thought. I have a good friend that used to work for Pall filters (they make super high tech filters) anyway they tested K&N air filters and basically you may as well use a screen. The particle size that gets past a K&N is so big that it's a joke, that's why they can claim big air flow increases. Your engine, your wallet do as you please.

[Gumby 1100_imp]

The saga continues...

I recently contacted K&N Customer Service to determine if they are initiating a safety recall of their oil filters due to the potentially dangerous results of a leak on a motorcycle. I was surprised to actually get a response within just a few days. Unfortunately, it was not the response one would hope for in this situation...

Hello Mr. ____________,

We apologize for an inconvenience this may have caused. Please be advised we do not take issues like the one you are describing lightly and do our best to insure that the products we are providing to our consumers our great quality products. We also have a great Performance/Warranty department ready to help, assist and trouble shoot any issues if needed.

If this product is unused and you wish to return the product, please refer to the place of purchase and refer to their return policy. Part Number KN-204 is a great oil filter and will perform up to spec on all the applications listed in the link below.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/applicat...rod=KN-204

Thank you for your time, please let me know if you have any other questions.
Respectfully,
Rudy Sandoval
Product Specialist
RudySa@KNFilters.com
K&N Engineering Inc
http://www.knfilters.com
Phone: (800)858-3333 Ext. 4185

[kennyw]

It's too big of an issue for them to admit a problem exists. That would give the lawsuit happy lawyers the ammunition they need. If anything, their lawyers are advising them to admit nothing and fix it silently in the background.