Anybody have a K&N Air Filter on their ranger

[BlackBII]

I had a K&N in my BII, noticed no difference in power/mileage but it was nice to be able to just clean it....

 

[MAKG]

Apparently some people put too much oil on them.

I certainly won't deny the possibility. I've never seen ANY spec that says how much oil to put in. But K&N claimed it STILL wouldn't foul MAFs even if it was overoiled AND subjected to 1000 CFM flow. That's BS.

That 2.9L wouldn't even draw 1/3 of that, worst case. So, if these guys aren't lying, where did the pink-tinged goo come from?

And it wasn't dripped onto the bottom of the airbox. It coated the inside of the intake manifold and throttle body.

FWIW, I really don't see that plugging the intake, as one poster claimed. Or more precisely the EGR. On a 2.9L, it's probably completely benign, and there is much greater risk of plugging EGR through the PCV system (it won't be pink, though). But these things CAN shed oil, regardless of K&N's claims.

 

[JohnnyO]

I put one in the '02 Ranger I used to have, I didn't think it made any difference in anything.

 

[4LO 4.O]

Got one in my 98, I don't think it did anything except destroy a MAF sensor.

 

[4x4junkie]

Apparently some people put too much oil on them.

So what's the proper amount of oil to put on it then??

Is it not JUST enough to get rid of all the white areas on the gauze? Any less, the filter probably wouldn't trap any dirt at all.


The other thing I find kindof funny are those claiming how "convenient" it is to be able to reuse a filter.


Lets see...
K&N:

Remove filter from airbox,
Bash it against a trash can to knock the clumped-up oily dirt off,
Spray it with filter cleaner (or "Formula 409" if you're a cheapskate)
Let it soak 15-30 minutes,
Rinse,
Spray with cleaner again because it didn't get everything,
Let soak again,
Rinse,
Repeat a THIRD time, 'cause it'll probably be needed
Let dry 2-3 hours (or overnight... Oops, forgot to go to the grocery store, ahh fawk it, I'll just drive without a filter for a bit)
After it dries, spray with filter oil,
Let sit an hour so the oil disperses,
Spray oil again to get any remaining white areas,
Let sit again,
After you determine it's fully "pink" again, Install in airbox. Done. (finally!)


Versus
Disposable paper filter:

Remove old filter from airbox, throw away,
Remove new filter from package, install in airbox. Done.


Yeah, it's much easier

 

[bduff77]

I have a full intake from K&N and I have actually seen a decrease in gas mileage, which is probably because of the effect it has on the MAF sensor...does anyone know what to do about this? Can I get a different after market air flow sensor or something?

 

[JohnnyO]

Just clean the MAF sensor wire with aerosol electrical contact cleaner, then spray it with compressed air.
I never had a problem with mine when I had a K&N, but I'd clean the MAF twice a year.
The filter does not need a lot of oil, just a little and it will soak in and the whole thing will turn pink in a while.
Ranger engines are simply not big enough to flow enough air that a K&N will make much if any difference. Any noticeable improvement will be up around redline at which point your gas mileage is out the window anyway.

 

[PaleBlue90]

So what's the proper amount of oil to put on it then??

Is it not JUST enough to get rid of all the white areas on the gauze? Any less, the filter probably wouldn't trap any dirt at all.


The other thing I find kindof funny are those claiming how "convenient" it is to be able to reuse a filter.


Lets see...
K&N:

Remove filter from airbox,
Bash it against a trash can to knock the clumped-up oily dirt off,
Spray it with filter cleaner (or "Formula 409" if you're a cheapskate)
Let it soak 15-30 minutes,
Rinse,
Spray with cleaner again because it didn't get everything,
Let soak again,
Rinse,
Repeat a THIRD time, 'cause it'll probably be needed
Let dry 2-3 hours (or overnight... Oops, forgot to go to the grocery store, ahh fawk it, I'll just drive without a filter for a bit)
After it dries, spray with filter oil,
Let sit an hour so the oil disperses,
Spray oil again to get any remaining white areas,
Let sit again,
After you determine it's fully "pink" again, Install in airbox. Done. (finally!)


Versus
Disposable paper filter:

Remove old filter from airbox, throw away,
Remove new filter from package, install in airbox. Done.


Yeah, it's much easier

i dont get how its easyer eaither, seems like a boiling pot of that people always keep stiring

 

[camma83]

I have the FIPK for my 04 4.0, all that really happend was a change in the sound of my exhaust, it added a hissing sound. I like the chip for the better bang for your buck (xcal2). i have a video of what it sounds like somewhere if you want to hear it

 

[gw33gp]

i dont get how its easyer eaither, seems like a boiling pot of that people always keep stiring

I don't think K&N is easier, it just has to be done less frequently. If I tried to use a paper filter for 50,000 miles, the engine probably could not get enough air to start.

To each his own. However, I am sure that pot will not get stagnant.

 

[Ranger SVO]

I bought my 93 Ranger in Dec 95, I installed a K&N a few months later. I purchased the truck with 16,000 miles on it, I currently have 147,000. I have never experiened one problem mentioned here. I read this thread yesterday and this morning I took the hose off the throttle body and inspected it. Nothing, just as clean as can be.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

I've had a FIPK on for about 50k now, and no problems to report. I clean my MAF once a year, and my intake tube has no gunk on it. It runs just fine. I use a light coating, nothing heavy, to get the filter completely red. Its worked for me and I have no complaints about the system.

 

[Skybolt811]

I have a K+N FIPK cold air thingy. Took out the filterbox, and installed their big cone filter. Yes I got 1 mpg increase, better take off perf and it sounds really great.