K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!!

[Ron in MO_imp]

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!

[kmoney_imp]

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.

[LongRanger_imp]

It goes without saying, but be sure to get those tires cleaned off before you ride the bike. And check your rotors and brake pads for oil contamination too, just to be sure. What a mess.

[uscgmac_imp]

My last K&N filter on my CB1100 also leaked. It leaked right at the seal after about 3000 miles. I smelt some burning oil while in my driveway and looked down and saw some drops on the driveway. I thought it was strange because I always make sure they are properly tightened. I thought maybe it was just not tight enough so next time give it a quarter turn more. I changed my oil 1000 miles ago using the same oil and filter again. I will inspect it and next time just go oem to save me any trouble in the future.

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[venturer434_imp]

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?

[davidsargee_imp]

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.

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,

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.

[Elipten_imp]

You may have gotten very lucky.


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[JustCruising_imp]

Thank you for sharing this experience. Exactly what these forums are for
Great to hear all seems ok with the bike, and I'll make sure to avoid anything but OEM filters at future oil changes.

[Haystack_imp]

I'm glad that you're safe.

I had this happen ONCE, not on my CB.

When I performed the oil change and removed the filter, the old gasket stuck to the case and I put the new filter and gasket OVER the old one (two gaskets) and I got a leak exactly like yours pictured.

It's difficult to see a black gasket on a black engine case. I double-check from now on. Lesson learned.

If you did everything correctly, then no K&N oil filters for me.

Just a thought.

[Offroad]

Scary! I had an oil line blow on my GPz 750 years ago. Just felt a little wiggle going through some tight turns aggressively....surprised when I pulled over to see the rear tire covered in oil. Thought I had dodged a bullet....looks like you did too! Glad you recovered safely!