Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

[pengful]

Just want to alert all bros using K&N filter in their 318/ 320 rides to check your filters if they are still attached properly (inside the airbox).

I fitted the K&N filter about 1 year ago but recently, I was feeling lots of hesitation when I accelerate. Since I have reflashed my ECU about 6 months ago, I find this kind of strange. Last week, I opened up the airbox hoping to take it out to clean but to my horror, the filter has broken off from the neck area (part which is secured to the airbox round tube). The rubber neck of the filter has apparently "melted" away leaving behind sticky tar-like compound in the airbox.

I guess the hesistation or loss of low-end torque could be due to the broken air filter. When I checked the stock air filter (lucky I kept it), I noticed an attachment which BMW specially made to hold the filter in place.

I regretted not taking pictures of the broken part (I did not have my phone with me) but I strongly urge all of you using K&N filters to check if the rubber neck is still securely fitted. As for me, I have reverted to stock air filter for peace of mind. Car did not feel any worse with the reflashed ECU and stock air filter.

 

[zeee]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Just want to alert all bros using K&N filter in their 318/ 320 rides to check your filters if they are still attached properly (inside the airbox).

I fitted the K&N filter about 1 year ago but recently, I was feeling lots of hesitation when I accelerate. Since I have reflashed my ECU about 6 months ago, I find this kind of strange. Last week, I opened up the airbox hoping to take it out to clean but to my horror, the filter has broken off from the neck area (part which is secured to the airbox round tube). The rubber neck of the filter has apparently "melted" away leaving behind sticky tar-like compound in the airbox.

I guess the hesistation or loss of low-end torque could be due to the broken air filter. When I checked the stock air filter (lucky I kept it), I noticed an attachment which BMW specially made to hold the filter in place.

I regretted not taking pictures of the broken part (I did not have my phone with me) but I strongly urge all of you using K&N filters to check if the rubber neck is still securely fitted. As for me, I have reverted to stock air filter for peace of mind. Car did not feel any worse with the reflashed ECU and stock air filter.

thank you for sharing your experience. sorry to hear that. hope no "debris" were sucked in.

could you pm me the shop where you got the said filter from?

 

[pengful]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

thank you for sharing your experience. sorry to hear that. hope no "debris" were sucked in.

could you pm me the shop where you got the said filter from?

Bought from KBS and I am sure other workshops selling the filter are selling the same thing. Not the fault of the seller, just that the construction of the filter neck has a fault with high temperatures. I can understand that it gets incredibly hot inside the airbox.

Just user awareness, that's all

 

[Centurion9990]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Same happens to my K&N filter on my E90... No flashing of ECU and Air Box is stock... Less than 1 year of usage...

 

[zeee]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Bought from KBS and I am sure other workshops selling the filter are selling the same thing. Not the fault of the seller, just that the construction of the filter neck has a fault with high temperatures. I can understand that it gets incredibly hot inside the airbox.

Just user awareness, that's all

Thank you for sharing. Not worried about the seller, but where it sourced "it" from.


8)

 

[wt_know]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

probably due to product flaw or the production batch it was made
just like GY F1 sidewall crack !

 

[douggie]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

That is scary. I thought K&N was a reputable brand?! Damn, I just bought one and now I'm having second thoughts of installing it. Thanks for the heads-up anyway.

 

[rosschang]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Hmm... time to remove mine liao... lol

 

[art60044]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Hi everyone, my experience was I had to send the car for throttle body cleaning after the sticky stuff from K&N filter got stuck to the oxygen sensor....acceleration became poor.

 

[pengful]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

I believe why the rubber neck "melted" and broke off was due to the following factors:
1) Heat - extremely hot in the airbox
2) No support - there is no support for the K&N cone filter unlike the stock air filter so the weight of the cone pulled at the neck and over time, gave way

If K&N provided a support for the 318/ 320 engine types, this breakage will not occur.

 

[xj40]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Just curious, does this happen on the K&N filters for 6-cylinders?

 

[stevenwu]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Hi all,

Not just K&N, on my former e46 323ci, Hurricane also have the same issue. The whole wire mesh broke away from the rubber housing due to expansion, leaving 30% of surface area unprotected (Holes) from incoming air.....I could believe what will happen if some leave or sand etc enter the intake into the cylinder

After that incident, till now, I am using paper stock filter for my car for peace of mind.

I try to locate the picture I took and post if I can still find it

 

[Lao Beng]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Guys which mean K&N or Hurricane is not should to use in BMW. So does BMW sell perform filter

 

[XXX]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Hi all,

Not just K&N, on my former e46 323ci, Hurricane also have the same issue. The whole wire mesh broke away from the rubber housing due to expansion, leaving 30% of surface area unprotected (Holes) from incoming air.....I could believe what will happen if some leave or sand etc enter the intake into the cylinder

After that incident, till now, I am using paper stock filter for my car for peace of mind.

I try to locate the picture I took and post if I can still find it

Wow... I better check mine later too...

 

[beemer322]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

I check my BMC filter after reading this thread. same thing, the whole rubber neck melted and the car feel sluggish on 1st gear. I bought this from boss motor sports 1 yr ago. I am going to see them.

 

[jason83]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

I check my BMC filter after reading this thread. same thing, the whole rubber neck melted and the car feel sluggish on 1st gear. I bought this from boss motor sports 1 yr ago. I am going to see them.

I'm using bmc before its happened to me for my 335 usage 6 months.

BMC melt and stuck at the cover top.

After using k&n for 6 months and no issue for now.

 

[beemer322]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

I'm using bmc before its happened to me for my 335 usage 6 months.

BMC melt and stuck at the cover top.

After using k&n for 6 months and no issue for now.

Maybe BMC filters are not suitable for BMW cars. I hope they stop selling this to BMW drivers.

 

[DevilkingE93]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

Does this mean both BMC and K&N are not suitable for BMWs then what about GruppeM, it is using K&N???
My car just hit 60k km n am thinking of changing my stock air filter to those performance air filter. After reading up on so many negative feedback thinking twice now, but there are some enthusiatics swear by that K&N does give better throttle and car slightly responsive.....

 

[wt_know]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

if you want to use aftermarket filter, it's best to change 'new' after 30k-40k milleage (that's about 1+ year usage)

Does this mean both BMC and K&N are not suitable for BMWs then what about GruppeM, it is using K&N???
My car just hit 60k km n am thinking of changing my stock air filter to those performance air filter. After reading up on so many negative feedback thinking twice now, but there are some enthusiatics swear by that K&N does give better throttle and car slightly responsive.....

 

[DevilkingE93]

Re: Warning on K&N filter - Rubber neck broken off

I didn't know that, usually I'd just fix after market filters on my previous rides after their warranty expired.
Thanks wt_know for the info....

This forum rocksssssssss.....always good to have seniors opinions