K&N oil filter spill

[Cormanus]

Having seen a K&N filer that failed on Pterodactyl's CB1100, I will never have another one.

(03-18-2018 06:37 PM)Flytech99 Wrote:  I used the K&N on a previous HD with no issue.... The little nut made it super easy to get on and off since the filter was mounted sideways in front.

Flytech, I have a recollection that K&N says you must not tighten the filter with the nut; it is there for removal only.

[Dude]

Happened to me too. Using oem filters now

[LongRanger]

Removing the stock exhaust and installing an aftermarket unit will not void the warranty, unless you damage it or any related parts during the removal or installation process and then try to claim it was defective.

[Flytech99]

(03-18-2018 10:22 PM)Cormanus Wrote:  Flytech, I have a recollection that K&N says you must not tighten the filter with the nut; it is there for removal only.

I no longer use the K&N filter... but you bring up an interesting point, Cormanus.

If the nut isn't supposed to be used to torque the filter on (presumably to avoid risk of damaging the filter due to torquing/over-torquing ), then that renders anything other than a strap wrench useless for tightening it. I would imagine a regular cap style wrench wouldn't fit??? If indeed that's the case, it completely negates the convenience of the nut and really makes me question the structural integrity of the filter in the first place. Hmm....

[jtopiso]

(03-23-2018 07:07 PM)Flytech99 Wrote:  

(03-18-2018 10:22 PM)Cormanus Wrote:  Flytech, I have a recollection that K&N says you must not tighten the filter with the nut; it is there for removal only.

I no longer use the K&N filter... but you bring up an interesting point, Cormanus.

If the nut isn't supposed to be used to torque the filter on (presumably to avoid risk of damaging the filter due to torquing/over-torquing ), then that renders anything other than a strap wrench useless for tightening it. I would imagine a regular cap style wrench wouldn't fit??? If indeed that's the case, it completely negates the convenience of the nut and really makes me question the structural integrity of the filter in the first place. Hmm....

Hand tight is enough. The seal comes from the o-ring, not from the thread, so it doesn't need much torque.

The friction will keep it in place, so it won't come loose easily.

[EmptySea]

From the Iron Butt Association Newsletter:

“As many in the long-distance community have heard, some K&N oil filters have been have been leaking oil and recently, some race tracks have issued notices that riders would be responsible for any track damage caused by running a K&N oil filter (effectively banning them as no one could afford those costs).

K&N has finally issued a SAFETY RECALL and identified which filters are subject to the defect. Here are clips from the recall letter sent to dealers:

K&N has discovered that certain KN-204/204C oil filters manufactured between March 1 and September 30, 2016, can leak oil at the area where a nut (intended for use to remove the oil filter during routine oil changes) is welded to the end of the filter. If there is such a leak, oil could come into contact with the rear tire or rear brake of the motorcycle on which the filter is installed. If this were to occur, it could lead to a loss of control or a crash. Therefore, K&N is conducting a recall under which it is offering to replace the covered oil filters at no charge, including the cost of return shipping.

A copy of the letter sent out to dealers with many more details and how to identify a recall filter is located at:

http://www.ironbutt.org/KandN/RCMN-17E044-1798.pdf

if you use K&N filters you should invest the time to make sure you are not using one of this filters or have one in your personal stock to use.

Mike “

[peterbaron]

Never have and never will use them
....where a nut (intended for use to remove the oil filter during routine oil changes) is welded to the end of the filter = ..


pb

[Cormanus]

Actually, peterbaron, it isn't funny at all when there's a fault and there's oil trickling out of the filter when you're on the bike. A couple of our members had very lucky escapes from something that could easily have been tragic.

I guess the problem here is that, one would reasonably assume that doing anything to an oil filter, which operates under some pressure, is likely to increase the risk of failure and therefore not a good idea. However, in K&N's defence, the company has been making oil filters for years and, so far as I know, has not had significant problems. People could be forgiven for trusting them. Personally, I've used them only twice when put on by other people. I removed the second the minute I got it home.

[LongRanger]

Whether it's K&N, Fram, Uni, Brand X, whatever, I don't understand the rationale of intentionally seeking out and using a non-factory filter. Is it due to price? Marketing hype? Availability? To me, the second-guessing of using a non-OE filter seems to be completely unnecessary.

[Cormanus]

If there were a huge price differential and some evidence that the OEM product was no better, I think I'd consider it. Otherwise, I'm generally for OEM things.