K&N Filter Tripping Engine Light

Hello, I am told that my engine light intermittently comes on due to my K&N air filter kit (oil from filter gets on the MAF sensor and trips error). I have to go through inspection soon, where they hook up to the OBDII, so was hoping I could replace the oil-based air filter with a standard paper filter, have the light go off once the oil burns off the MAF sensor and go through inspection (no idea if this will actually happen). Does anyone know if there is a standard paper air filter I can use for the K&N Air Filter set-up? If so, please let me know the brand and where I can get my hands on it. Thanks, Todd 99 C2

how about just swap the entire unit with a stock one for the "show" then sell your used K&N and get something that wont cause this to return when you get the time and money ahead for it........ (stock should be cheap to find) do you need another MAF? I have a spare good one.........

Well, I have the stock box, but I would still need to buy a filter. And I am not sure yet how involved it is to put the stock box back on (bought the car with the K&N already on it). So I just figured it would be easier for now to put an air filter in the K&N, if there is a paper filter for that. Thanks for the offer on the MAF. If the oil does not burn off of it and the light does not go out, I will take you up on it.

Couldn't you clear the code with an OBD II reader and clean off the MAF with cleaner? Do it just before the inspection. http://www.amazon.com/CRC-05110-Mass...7110406&sr=8-1

Get rid of the K&N, go back to a stock airbox/filter. Sunset Imports (Oregon) is usually the cheapest source for new parts (cost + 15%). If your MAF can't be cleaned, you'll need a new one.

Don't act like the typical Porsche technician and just replace parts, hoping you stumble accross the fix. What code(s) are you getting? What are the readings of your MAF?

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Or use less oil on your K&N filter.

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ding ding ding- a winner

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or me just buy parts and put them in the garage IN CASE you need them !!!

I bought a spare air box on Ebay for $10, yes, $10. OEM Filter is ~$25 delivered from PP. That's what I would do.

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+1 Sorry Ed.

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in post #3 he states he already HAS the stock airbox... (Ed likes Todd... he has "extra stuff" in the garage!) can he just swap it in and yank the K&N out

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Thanks for the catch Ed. I saw Lewis's remark about the stock airbox and wanted to pass along that they can be had cheaply. Hopefully the rest of my post helped.

I have seen them cheap too... thought about buying a couple extra

lol - "extras" - they are good for tinkering, but let's not open that can of worms

Why not buy a new K and N filter. As they come from the factory they are not over-oiled and usually cause no problems. It's usually when the owner/mechanic cleans and (over) oils the filter that things get ugly.

The PPI mechanic told me the fault was a dirty MAF sensor. He then said it is mostly likely due to the oil in the K&N Filter and to try a paper filter to see if it clears the fault, before going to the expense of new MAF sensor. Since this seems to be emissions related, it seems to be a quick failure for the Inspection lane in Delaware. The mechanic told me not to try to clean the MAF, as it is like a filament in a light bulb and breaks easily. Not sure if the CRC cleaner, that some one posted a link for, would work or not. He also said that when you turn off the car, the computer heats up the filament to 1000 degrees (or something like that) to burn off dirt, etc. I figured I would follow the mechanic's advice and try a paper filter. No one has been able to recommend a paper filter for the K&N kit, so I guess I will put the OEM box back on, no filter in it though, which I need to buy. My local dealer quoted $48 for the filter. Pelican is $20, w/o shipping.

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So, if your mechanic said you have a dirty MAF sensor, what will installing a different filter do for you? Clean the sensor with spray electonics cleaner. If the sensor is dirty, this will clean it. Soak the hell out of the sensor and reinstall. If the cleaning worked, the CEL will go off and not return after a couple of drive cycles.

I guess I figured if I left the oil'd air filter on, it would simply occur again (like on the way to the inspection lane). I will try soaking the sensor too.

You’ll need a security Torx 20 to take out the sensor, but I guess you could spray the MAF cleaner right through the housing if you don’t have one. You should be able to pick up a can at your local a/p store; ~$6 a can.

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right cleaner will resurrect sensor. if not.. new sensor time. Get rid of non-stock filter. Stock filter damn good and since dry type no need to worry about oiling filter element *just right*. Engine air filter most critical of all fiters. You can run engine sans oil filter for a long while with just oil changes but you can't run engine sans air filter long before dirt it inhales affects engine's condition. Stock filter element relatively cheap. Replace every so often with new one. No need to try to use aftermarket one where you have to clean/oil the darn thing just right to get it to perform at some level that on a good day might be less than stock filter's performance. Have 222K miles on my 02 Boxster and car on original engine and every mile engine has moved car has been with stock filter installed and filtering air. Sincerely, Macster.

and that statement is why I dont have a K&N even though I would love the added IHP the sound delivers (imaginary horsepower)

i would dump the k&n filter. I burned out 3 MAF sensors, 2 in my es300 and one in the 4runner. Now, Toyotas may be more sensitive than other cars but i never recommend the k&n. I use the purolator pure one air filters in all teh cars and they work just fine.

Probably will dump it. I have the OEM box. Just need to order a filter. Thanks

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I put my filters on newspaper (maf side down) and wait at least 24 hours after oiling before I reinstall for this reason. I'm using panel type filters.

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Sorry, but you can not resurrect a blown MAF by cleaning....if it is fried, it must be replaced. Cleaning is a preventive maintenance task AFAIK.

I have been on Rennlist for a little over 4 years and I have seen NUMEROUS posts about MAF sensor problems on cars with the K&N filter installed. I am amazed that any Rennlister still has a K&N filter installed on their car! <shakes head> If you want better sound and the same HP gain that the K&N filter gets, simply clip some baseball cards on your rear wheels! At least that HP "gain" is safe! Todds911 , my comments were not intended as a jab at you. I know you are new to Rennlist and maybe the K&N filter was already on the car when you bought it.

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WTF? you going soft on us ??? hahahahhahaha

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Hey, the Numerological Rules state that I must be kind today. Today is an even numbered Thursday (6th) in an even numbered month (8th) in an odd numbered year ('09). If you add up those numbers you get 23. Then you subtract the current week number of the year, which is 32. The result is -9. So I have to follow the "be kind on minus 9" rule. I don't make the rules, I just follow them!

what - wait.... my A.D.D. kicked in 1/2 way thru reading that crap and I got fixated on a vision of my 8th grade art teacher.... man was she hot....

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Got pics?

HAHA!! ^^ perfect reply - made me really laugh! Hold on while I plug this USB into my head

How do you check the readings on a MAF sensor? I'd like to check mine!! Pete

Here's my 2 cents. Clean the K&N and then dry it....then either don't put ANY oil on it, or just put a thin bead along each spine....then buy the optional "sock" and put it on top...clean your MAF and call it a day.

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yeah that one.

dont listen to these haters todds911 they OBVIOUSLY have never see the infomercials= "ADDING HORSEPOWER WITHOUT COMPROMISING RELIABILITY K&N Lifetime air filters feature High-Flow Technology to help your car breathe easier, giving you the power you crave without the reliability headache often associated with high performance parts - and because K&N is a Lifetime filter, it never needs to be replaced. Your car's engine is essentially a giant air pump, combusting a mixture of fuel and air with a carefully timed spark. The more air the engine has available, the more horsepower it can make. An engine that breathes more easily will also show improvements in throttle response. Throttle response is measured by the amount of delay or hesitation that your car exhibits between when you press down on the gas pedal and when the engine responds by delivering power. Improvements in throttle response give you more "pep" in your car's acceleration. " see?

FWIW - Every stock replacement air filter we sell comes with this sticker, which we advise consumers to place prominently on their air box. The sticker is to alert service technicians that they should not throw away your K&N air filter because it will last for the life of your vehicle. When service technicians see this sticker it means “STOP SELLING THIS CUSTOMER DISPOSABLE AIR FILTERS OVER AND OVER.” In our opinion, this is why some dealerships or service providers may attempt to discourage a consumer from using a K&N air filter or worse blame a vehicle repair on our lifetime air filter. Most dealerships provide excellent service and fulfill car warranty obligations without issue, argument or tardiness. The rest of this discussion is about a minority of dealerships who are either misguided or misinformed. We are aware of the “urban myth” (K&N News Story) created by a few dealerships that a vehicle's MAF sensor can be contaminated by K&N filter oil. No evidence has ever been provided to support this “myth” and three years of diagnostic testing by K&N has shown that not only is this allegation not real, it is not even possible. In our opinion, it is an excuse for a dealership and/or the vehicle manufacturer to avoid a legitimate warranty repair. In the last 4 years, we have sold over 10,000,000 lifetime air filters and received only a few hundred calls from consumers who are having dealership or service provider challenges. We believe that Dealership's or service provider's real incentive may be to discourage the use of reusable products so they can sell disposable products over and over. In order to provide consumers with added comfort that they will not be placed in a bad position by an improper warranty denial, we offer our Consumer Protection Pledge. K&N MAF Sensor Videos Mass Air Flow Sensors Intro & Test Results Summary Can Oil Come Off Our Filters? High Airflow Testing & Engine Air Filter Dynamics What Does It Take to Foul a MAF Sensor? Extreme Testing What Can Contaminate a Mass Air Flow Sensor? No dealership or service provider, when contacted, has ever been able to provide us with evidence to support this “myth,” and in fact, our investigations have revealed that even authorized dealerships are simply speculating and do not have the test equipment necessary to know whether the sensor has failed or why. In the last 4 years, we have had more than 100 actual sensors sent to us by dealerships that claimed our product had caused them to fail. Microscopic, electronic and chemical testing revealed that none of these sensors were contaminated by K&N oil (K&N Detailed MAF Sensor Test Results). What is perhaps the single biggest clue to what is going on is that over 50% of these sensors sent to us were not broken in the first place for any reason. Click here for more information on how this may happen. The oil treatment on our cotton is very small (usually less than 2 ounces) and is a critical component of our filtration technology. There is nothing unusual about the use of oil as a tacking agent to improve air filter efficiency. In fact, certain Ford Motorcraft and Fram disposable air filters are treated with oil. This make us wonder if it is only the oil treatment from reusable lifetime air filters that is alleged cause a vehicle problem? The idea that oil comes off our filter throughout its life is truly ridiculous. Just like oil treated disposable air filters, once our oil is properly and evenly absorbed through the cotton, no oil will come off, even under extreme engine conditions. We have even conducted a test with an over oiled K&N air filter in which we flowed 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute for over twelve hours (few cars or truck could generate even 500 cubic feet of air flow). The use of an absolute filter confirmed that no oil came off the K&N filter tested, even in these harsh conditions. We have tested many MAF sensors claimed to be damaged. We can fully diagnose their condition and likely cause of failure. For a full discussion of our MAF sensor test protocol and findings, see K&N Mass Air Flow Testing Results and Findings. Not one of these suspected MAF sensors sent in for laboratory evaluation was shown to have failed due to contamination from K&N filter oil. We are the solution We are so confident about our testing and the quality of our product that we offer a Consumer Protection Pledge. So if you ever get in a bind with a dealership, call us because we are the solution. Other Information: An In-Depth Look at How Mass Air Flow Sensors Work Copyright � 2009 K&N Engineering, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

wow myth -vs- tested product results ? what do the Porsche boys think about them (factory drivers, engineers and techs) Surely you have heard..... Personally I bought one, took it out of the box and saw all that thin sheet metal and foam tape, reat the part about drilling my car, heard stories of MAF issues and bagged the idea even though I have had a K$N on every car/motorcycle I have ever owned...... for me it was more the box design (or lack there of) and the permenant drilling of holes in my car that was the biggest issue. i would love the added sound ... but NOT at the cost of putting that box in there... besides - anyone who knows me KNOWS I have a spare MAF in the garage already

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Did it come in a shiny box?

NO - why do you think I sold it hahaha

Not to thread jack but does anyone have additional tips to take off the god forsaken MAF connector so I can get that freaking air box out so I can change the air filter? I reviewed the great instructions on Renntech about pushing up on the bottom clip until you hear a "click". I even followed the advice of pushing the plug further toward the sensor and pushing up from the bottom so it should click and come right off. My fingers will never forgive me but I am willing to try again. Any other tips?

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Go to a local NAPA and have them size it, they will probably have one. What I used to do is go straight to the warehouse where they would let me dig around and find what I need.