I've read in a few fora (not Fiat-related) that Bosch air flow meters could be harmed by the oil in air filter of K&N type, i.e. filters based on oil soaking, and that these consequently should not be used on fuel injected cars. I don't know whether this applies to the older types of sensors used in our cars, and last I saw it was on an Audi forum. Has anyone else heard about this, or have any personal experience? Maybe it's just an urban myth?
Bjorn
Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
- Snoopy
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:24 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 CS0 2000 f.i. US [Build 1979]
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
I know this from newer cars. To much oil waste the air flow / air mass meter.
Its very dufficult to clean the new one without destroing it. Its much more finer than the old one.
I think to clean the spider afm is no problem.
Its very dufficult to clean the new one without destroing it. Its much more finer than the old one.
I think to clean the spider afm is no problem.
CS0 2000 f.i. 79, Abarth 500C 595 2013, Ford C-MAX 1.0 Ecoboost 2015
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
What they are refering to is hot-wire style AFM's, not the vane style AFM. And then yes, KN filters can get oil on the hot wire and change the reading. Hot-wire AFM's can be cleaned using brakeclean and a cotton swab.
I am not a fan of KN filters. Most of them that I see on customer's cars look like they have never been cleaned. And I don't blame people, it is a messy job to clean em, when you could just stick in a new OE style filter and be done with it.
Keith
I am not a fan of KN filters. Most of them that I see on customer's cars look like they have never been cleaned. And I don't blame people, it is a messy job to clean em, when you could just stick in a new OE style filter and be done with it.
Keith
- v6spider
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
- Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
- Location: Mount Vernon WA
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
That is handy piece of information. Luckly, I don't have a vehicle that has the hotwire afm. On my 4Runner I am using a spectre air cleaner which is just like the k&n. I don't know why people are too lazy to clean them. The whole key is not over saturating them with the oil. Lightly spraying the element is the key.
Cheers!
Rob
Cheers!
Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
- ga.spyder
- Posts: 3478
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
- Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
- Location: Blairsville ,Ga.
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
I have had a K&N cone filter on my Spider for years,w/ no problems.I do keep the filter clean.As V6spider says,I think the key is to not saturate the filter with oil.Follow the cleaning instructios and allow it plenty of time(overnight) to dry.I dont think there is any performance gain by using the setup,but it looks so much better than the giant shoebox-looking stock filter!!
Craig Nelson
1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
- NCArachnid
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:13 pm
- Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider Sport
- Location: Charlotte
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
I have read the same thing on a Lexus IS forum. I think they postulated that the distance between the element and the sensor plays a roll as well. The IS 300 has a short intake tube and only 8-10 in. between the two. I've run an oiled element for about 18 months without problem. I've cleaned it twice and always allow it to "dry" overnight before use.
Jon
1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
@ Craig Nelson
What is the part number of the K&N assembly shown on your car?
Thanks
What is the part number of the K&N assembly shown on your car?
Thanks
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
I think I found it
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=854429
Looks like they want about $130 for the brackets
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=854429
Looks like they want about $130 for the brackets
- Europa
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:02 am
- Your car is a: 1983 Pininfarina Spidereuropa
- Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
This thread has the part number (scroll down) for the K&N filter. The information was provide by Criag.tester wrote:@ Craig Nelson
What is the part number of the K&N assembly shown on your car?
Thanks
http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... ter#p42184
1983 Spidereuropa
Verde Scuro
Verde Scuro
- ga.spyder
- Posts: 3478
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
- Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
- Location: Blairsville ,Ga.
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
Thanks for finding that,Abey.I am not good at searches!! Hope that all is well with you and the family? We missed you at FFO this year.
Last edited by ga.spyder on Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
Craig Nelson
1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
- Europa
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:02 am
- Your car is a: 1983 Pininfarina Spidereuropa
- Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
Thanks Craig. I had some employment challenges late last year. I'm ok now. Looking forward to FFO 2012.ga.spyder wrote:Thanks for finding that,Abey.I am not good at searches!! Hope that all is well with you and the family/We missed you t FFO this year.
1983 Spidereuropa
Verde Scuro
Verde Scuro
-
- Posts: 3996
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
- Location: Texas, USA
Re: Can K&N air filters ruin your air flow meter?
You can easily make your own L-shaped bracket to hold the AFM, and sometimes you can find the adapter in junkyards on old BMWs. I have a few if you want to get one. They are much simpler and nicer looking than the aftermarket ones.tester wrote:Looks like they want about $130 for the brackets
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town