Air Intake Problem

Lord Odin · April 14, 2007

I currently have a simple K&N air filter and have a problem with it. I recently brought in my 2500HD for a service engine light and the service manager told me it was because of the Mass Airflow sensor. They said that the oil from the K&N was coating the wire in the sensor and normally the sensor needs to be replaced but they were able to salvage mine. They said that when the air is sucking into the intake when WOT, or also when dirt from offroading hits the oil, it sprays and travels onto the MAF sensor. They recommended either replacing the filter with an paper filter or a different type of air intake that K&N also makes.

Has anyone heard of this problem? Is it even true? After checking out the different types, it recommends probably the 57 or 77 series? What are your thoughts/opinions of these air intake systems?

ZZ327 · April 14, 2007

Ive heard of it but its usually because the person over oiled it. If you re oiled it, only oil the intake side ( away from the TB).

when re oiling, only do it so the element changes color and feels oily. Not so that youve got red oil dripping off it.

The Intakes expensive, and dont acutally do very much. The only thing you could really use is a new tube, the factory airbox is already cold air.

Lord Odin · April 14, 2007

Ive heard of it but its usually because the person over oiled it. If you re oiled it, only oil the intake side ( away from the TB).

when re oiling, only do it so the element changes color and feels oily. Not so that youve got red oil dripping off it.

The Intakes expensive, and dont acutally do very much. The only thing you could really use is a new tube, the factory airbox is already cold air.

I haven't needed to reoil the filter. So it came as is from the box.

pwall · April 14, 2007

I've heard of this happening. Guess I've been lucky as I've been running a K&N on my truck since new (2002) and no issue with the MAF.

Sandhopper · April 15, 2007

Two years with a K&N No Problems so far

Indy · April 15, 2007

It's common, no worries. It happened on my car with a CAI when I first installed it. You can but MAF sensor cleaner. Just spray it clean and don't touch anything, they are easy to damage.

Lord Odin · April 15, 2007

Are those intake system worth the money by themselves?

5thGenSD · April 16, 2007

MAF can be cleaned easily with some electrical contact cleaner.

K&N Filters are known to cause CEL's atributed to the intake, mainly the MAF.

Either buy a Amsoil, Truflow or keep it stock. HP gains are neglible. (in my opinion ;)

anteater · July 10, 2007

I added the K&N intake kit to my 05 2500 H.D CC LB 4X4 with 6.0l gas and it made a huge difference!!I run my truck on gravel roads mostly because I am an electrician in the oil fields in southern Saskatchewan and am overly impressed!I tow a ditch witch 3500 trencher or a JD skid steer and it made a huge improvement in towing!I also noticed the truck doesn't shift as much when on steeper grades!i was concerned about the dust but after 80000km/approx 50000miles I have had no issues,I have not cleaned it but have reoiled it once as per the manufactures recomendation!I am very happy with my K&N and highly recomend it to anyone with a 6.0 L gas because I feel it really woke this engine up !

spartus · July 10, 2007

I added the K&N intake kit to my 05 2500 H.D CC LB 4X4 with 6.0l gas and it made a huge difference!!I run my truck on gravel roads mostly because I am an electrician in the oil fields in southern Saskatchewan and am overly impressed!I tow a ditch witch 3500 trencher or a JD skid steer and it made a huge improvement in towing!I also noticed the truck doesn't shift as much when on steeper grades!i was concerned about the dust but after 80000km/approx 50000miles I have had no issues,I have not cleaned it but have reoiled it once as per the manufactures recomendation!I am very happy with my K&N and highly recomend it to anyone with a 6.0 L gas because I feel it really woke this engine up !

My K&N made a HUGE difference too, on my 2007 1500 CC 4x4 with 5.3L. It made daily driving a lot smoother, and picked up some gas mileage too. Also installed a OUTERWEARS filter cover onto the filter to keep large debris off of it.. Every 6 months I plan to remove the MAF and clean it with electrical contact cleaner. On my 2003 the MAF would oil up every 4-6 months and need cleaning. I always used new filters too, and never re-oiled them.

Daubs · July 10, 2007

Installed the K&N on wife's burban back in 03. Cleaned and re-oiled last year with no problems. Was careful not to get too much oil on the filter. Never had a MAF problem. Burb runs great.

AFD256 · July 10, 2007

Ive heard of it but its usually because the person over oiled it. If you re oiled it, only oil the intake side ( away from the TB).

when re oiling, only do it so the element changes color and feels oily. Not so that youve got red oil dripping off it.

The Intakes expensive, and dont acutally do very much. The only thing you could really use is a new tube, the factory airbox is already cold air.

It already is cold air? So the whole FIPK is really just a waste of money? I thought the set up aloowed more air in than the standard box?

sonjaab · July 10, 2007

The K&N is a complete waste of money ! UNLESS your gonna drive

at wide open throttle all the time where it DOES have the advantage

over a stock paper filter !

Post after post of over oiling and MAF issues........................

That $75 bucks can be better spent elsewhere IMO.

ZZ327 · July 10, 2007

Ive heard of it but its usually because the person over oiled it. If you re oiled it, only oil the intake side ( away from the TB).

when re oiling, only do it so the element changes color and feels oily. Not so that youve got red oil dripping off it.

The Intakes expensive, and dont acutally do very much. The only thing you could really use is a new tube, the factory airbox is already cold air.

It already is cold air? So the whole FIPK is really just a waste of money? I thought the set up aloowed more air in than the standard box?

yea, the K&N kit puts the air filter in a box right next to the fender, where it sucks in cold air( not underhood warm air) The Factory setup does the exact same thing. Look for a kit that just replaces the intake tube, the factory one is restrictive.

You wont get a huge amount of HP pickup on a computer controlled car anyway without a Tune.