K&N Oil Filters BEWARE!!!

[Cormanus]

Having seen the consequences of a leaking K&N filter, there's no way I'm having one on my bike. Way too dangerous.

[flynrider]

about $14 at a dealer about $9.50 on line. They are cheaper than the K&N's but for some reason people go all gaga over that 17mm nut on the front.

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/ho...oCqa3w_wcB

$14 Would be a bargain around here. Last time I bought one from the local dealer it was $20. That was in 2013, before I realized that my new CB11 used the same filter as my CB750.

I bought a couple of dozen filters online for around $9 each. The box is still about half full, so it'll be awhile before I need to go shopping again.

I tried a few aftermarket filters on on the 750 years ago, but went back to OEM because Honda's cap style filter wrench made the job a piece of cake.

[ReedsHondaCB1100_imp]

So happy I found this thread. I JUST HAD THiIS SAME EXACT SITUATION YESTERDAY. I can add photos later.

I use K&N filters on several of my bikes with no problem. I did an oil and filter change on my CB1100 2014 last month and installed the KN 204-1. On Saturday I rode up Berthoud Pass, CO fairly aggressively. On the way down my fellow riders were letting me know that my pipe was smoking and they couldn’t figure out why my tire was still ‘wet’. It had rained much earlier. We pulled over and realized I was drenched in oil. Horrifying - especially if you know that road.


I said it was probably because I only hand tightened the filter. So we cranked it down and I topped off oil. Also pursued a few burnouts in the sand on road shoulder to clean the tire.

Thought it was settled, but no. Still spewing out of this filter. Had to get towed from Winter Park back to Denver. That’s not close btw. Just happy it didn’t end up worse. Hope I didn’t do any damage to the engine.

I am switching back to OEM filters!

[Lord Popgun]

I’m sure the engine is OK. The rear brake pads on the other hand...

[the Ferret]

So happy I found this thread. I JUST HAD THiIS SAME EXACT SITUATION YESTERDAY. I can add photos later.

I use K&N filters on several of my bikes with no problem. I did an oil and filter change on my CB1100 2014 last month and installed the KN 204-1. On Saturday I rode up Berthoud Pass, CO fairly aggressively. On the way down my fellow riders were letting me know that my pipe was smoking and they couldn’t figure out why my tire was still ‘wet’. It had rained much earlier. We pulled over and realized I was drenched in oil. Horrifying - especially if you know that road.


I said it was probably because I only hand tightened the filter. So we cranked it down and I topped off oil. Also pursued a few burnouts in the sand on road shoulder to clean the tire.

Thought it was settled, but no. Still spewing out of this filter. Had to get towed from Winter Park back to Denver. That’s not close btw. Just happy it didn’t end up worse. Hope I didn’t do any damage to the engine.

I am switching back to OEM filters!

Yep nice road Berthoud is on. Rode it with LR and offroad last year or year before. That would be a terrible place to have oil on your rear wheel. Glad your buddies noticed and glad you weren't hurt.

[rustyski_imp]

I had K&N oil filter blow (7/19/19) Friday out on Mile post #48 on I 80 West riding with 20 guys from chitown to Knoxville Peoria... I was riding my Voyager at that time and had a brother ride my 14 CB DLX, saw the smoke and told him to pull over........ I already knew about this issue as I read it here and on the Kawasaki Vaquero forum so I wasnt worried, just glad no one was hurt coz we were running mid 80's speed. long story short... 4 of us waited 3-4 hours for rescue from 2 who went and find a new oil filter and oil for us , the others went ahead and we got back and went on our way after.

no more K&N oil filter for this guy FYI I traded in my '13 CB 1100 cafe for a '19 Voyager.... I still have the '14 CB 1100 DLX that I bought at this forum

[GoldOxide_imp]

I am sold on not using them.

[Gone in 60]

Both of my bikes are running the ill-fated KN204. I give my filters a quick grab every day now as part of my pre-ride before going to work to check for leaks, and I've got a replacement filter and four quarts of oil at the ready for both bikes at home and the office in case I have to make a quick change at either location. Not going to replace until my normal mileage cycle comes up if nothing leaks before then, but I'm ready just in case.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Both of my bikes are running the ill-fated KN204. I give my filters a quick grab every day now as part of my pre-ride before going to work to check for leaks, and I've got a replacement filter and four quarts of oil at the ready for both bikes at home and the office in case I have to make a quick change at either location. Not going to replace until my normal mileage cycle comes up if nothing leaks before then, but I'm ready just in case.

Good mitigation planning.

Too bad one has to even stress over such a product.

[LongRanger_imp]

GO, totally agree, but you've got to hand it to the K&N marketing department for creating such a compelling message that their filters are superior to everyone else's. I don't understand why folks overthink oil and oil filters.