What it average life expectancy of an air filter ?

[Artie Fufkin]

I know there are many factors involved and its not so cut and dry but what should one expect as an average?

This is for non-washable filters.

Thanks.

[nxski]

Change it at least every oil change. Some will even tell you every 6 weeks with regular driving. What is your aversion to K&N filters?

[psilosin]

Change it at least every oil change. Some will even tell you every 6 weeks with regular driving. What is your aversion to K&N filters?

What you talking bout Willis?

You oem paper air filter is good for MUCH longer than an oil change interval. Have a look at it evey couple months....if dirty replace or clean. You can actually blow from the inside to remove much of the dry dust/dirt accumulation therby refreshing the filter, or even give it a shake. Normal driving in the lower mainland your air filter should last at least a year or 30-50000km. In the dusty Okanagan you might need a blow out or two over that interval but still last you a long time.

K&N filters need cleaning and re-oiling all the time. Moar airflow but less filtering quality and a pain in the ass imo.

[vixentd]

worth reading re K & N
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Air_filter.htm

[pajerry]

Especially if you have a turbo, I wouldn't use the K&N off road or dusty bc hwys. I always swap mine to stock filter when going out of town and regret paying extra for the K&N. After one day off road the filter was clogged, oily, and when removing the air intake on the turbo, you can see some minor etching or fresh shiney edge on the turbo blades, probably from eating dust.

The only person that changes their filter ever six week is Christine, god bless her heart. Some people swear that it will help you smoke less, but if you're smoking that much, its probably not just the filter IMHO.

[nxski]

I used to change mine every 5000km but that's because it's filthy after that amount of time. I use K&N for regular driving and swap to paper for prolonged offroading.

[jessef]

I used to change mine every 5000km but that's because it's filthy after that amount of time. I use K&N for regular driving and swap to paper for prolonged offroading.

I do the opposite. K&N for regular driving as it's not dusty/dirty on our local roads.

Paper filter for offroad use (carry a spare) so you can shake/blow/clean it free.

[nxski]

I used to change mine every 5000km but that's because it's filthy after that amount of time. I use K&N for regular driving and swap to paper for prolonged offroading.

I do the opposite. K&N for regular driving as it's not dusty/dirty on our local roads.

Paper filter for offroad use (carry a spare) so you can shake/blow/clean it free.

That's what I just said bit in different wording. Sorry if I was unclear.

[Artie Fufkin]

nxski,

I don't have an aversion to K&N filters but the reality is they are designed for city/paved highway use.

I live on a logging road and I know from experience they just don't work in that environment. When I lived in a city I used K&N's.

Reason I ask is simple, I just don't know what to realistically expect from a typical paper filter and wondered what you guys have found from experience.

Living in the environment I do I know it requires a blow out every once in awhile and will last a shorter duration compared to using a paper filter in a city.

Seems to be some debate on the issue so figured I'd weigh everyones thoughts and cut it down a bit for environment use. Then stock up a bit more since I can't seem to find them locally (northern Ont.). I have a few on hand at the moment but like I said, not so easy to find in this region.

Thanks for your input.

Artie

[thedjjack]

You could run a snorkel and a pre-filter if you want to get more life out of the stock filter...

I found Rona had my L300 snorkel in stock in the plumbing aisle. It was about $45.00 and the quickly called the "Ghetto Snorkel" by RichD which stuck.

On one of my Jeeps that was doing 40-60km/day very dusty active road that foam with engine oil really keep the stock box clean (I washed and oiled the top filter every two days in that environment). (Rona had the Jeep XJ snorkel in stock too!).

A worry about using compressed air to blow out the paper filter (@100psi) as I know with K&N that compressed air is a big no no as it wrecks the filter. I usually just smash my filter on the ground and if I do blow it out really low air pressure and high volume.

Cheers

[RichD]

On our L300 when we are spending a lot of time offroad we have to change the air filter quite often. After a few days of dusty fire roads the filter is done; opaque when held up in the sun and certainly sheds dust when knocked against a boot.

However I have also done 20000km in a single month (changing the oil and oil filter once a week!) and I brought a spare air filter that I didn't end up needing.

So I would say that the best practice is to check your air filter monthly without fail, and after every day in dusty conditions.

[92pajero]

gentlemen, I have been using K&N filters for years on multiple vehicle during my 23 years of driving. Think about it, 2 stroke dirt bikes use oil and foam filters and racing in the dust. It gets dusty it gets dirty you then clean it. Use a lil less oil on the K&N filter, you dont have to drench it. Blowing out the old paper element you can only do this a few times then there will be damage to the filter. The expense of paper filters over a lifetime is expensive in comparison to a K&N filter and cleaning. You can always install a prefilter but remember the more restriction the more smoke and work for your engine. Been running a K&N for awhile now in all conditions from alberta all the way to nova scotia 4 wheeling, mud boggin and highway. Its simple I clean it every 5000kms and show no signs of turbo damage, or impellor scuffing. If you ensure all hoses are secure and the airbox closed tight you will have no worries.

Kelly


So dont Damn K&N until you try one

[thedjjack]

gentlemen, I have been using K&N filters for years on multiple vehicle during my 23 years of driving. Think about it, 2 stroke dirt bikes use oil and foam filters and racing in the dust. It gets dusty it gets dirty you then clean it. Use a lil less oil on the K&N filter, you dont have to drench it. Blowing out the old paper element you can only do this a few times then there will be damage to the filter. The expense of paper filters over a lifetime is expensive in comparison to a K&N filter and cleaning. You can always install a prefilter but remember the more restriction the more smoke and work for your engine. Been running a K&N for awhile now in all conditions from alberta all the way to nova scotia 4 wheeling, mud boggin and highway. Its simple I clean it every 5000kms and show no signs of turbo damage, or impellor scuffing. If you ensure all hoses are secure and the airbox closed tight you will have no worries.

Kelly


So dont Damn K&N until you try one

You cannot compare a KN to a dirt bike filter. Also, read an owners manual on a 2-stroke and it says change piston and rings ever 25 hours!

Used KN seen fine dirt after the filter..KN with prefilter only for me if I use one dusty road

[92pajero]

OK some people are touchy, lol. The fact is still a reusable filter has to be maintained, there are more than just K&N on the market. I was just stating that I have never had an issue with these reusable filters. No offense meant to anyone on this site, just stating my experiences. By the way not all 2 strokes require a rebuild after 25 hrs, I know of one and that is the 1986 honda cr250 required a rebuild every 25 hrs. My 84 cr125 was every 150 hrs and I was comparing the fact that both filters are oil coated and both can see severely dusty conditions. A pre-filter can be used but will add more restriction to the engines breathing.

Kelly

[jessef]

L300/L400/Pajero

My preference in order-

On road :
Stock replacement K&N oil filter
Stock paper filter

Off road dusty:
Stock replacement K&N oil filter with snorkel-pre-filter/sock
Stock paper filter with snorkel-pre-filter/sock
Stock paper filter
Stock replacement K&N oil filter

OP's question is a loaded one and responses will vary from one end to another because many driving conditions differ from the user base you are getting your responses from.

Your best bet is to begin with the stock paper filter and monitor.

The following would be beneficial: boost gauge for monitoring and snorkel pre-filter to slow down dust particles.