Current Motorcraft Air Filter Quality

[rydaddy]

Hello, I have been running a K&N air filter in my Mustang. Never on dusty roads but I think I should switch back to a paper filter after some reading here. Would Motorcraft be best? Are there any better options?

 

[ka9mnx]

Just my opinion but I tend to use OEM.

 

[Lubener]

Any name branded air filter will do just fine.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

Any name branded air filter will do just fine.

Unfortunately I don't think that's true, there's a huge variation in filtering quality, even comparing the same manufacturers OEM Vs Aftermarket products.

 

[JoeDirt41]

I hope they are good because they are all I’ve used in my 2015 F-150 since I’ve owned it.

 

[rydaddy]

I went back to the Motorcraft filter. No surprises. I do miss the rigid construction of the K&N though.
The airbox on the mustang kind of has a pinch area that with the K&N I knew without a doubt that the filter was where it should be.
I see filters out there such as the AEM Dryflow that (maybe?) have the build quality of the K&N but with the efficiency of an OEM.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

I hope they are good because they are all I’ve used in my 2015 F-150 since I’ve owned it.

They don't filter well, fit a OEM panel filter, your engine will thank you for it.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

The problem I've found with air filters it is very difficult to find their efficiency ratings!

 

[JoeDirt41]

They don't filter well, fit a OEM panel filter, your engine will thank you for it.

Motorcraft is the OEM?

 

[TC]

Any name branded air filter will do just fine.

I tend to agree with that. The few air filter testing studies I've seen showed various name brand OEM type filters to be in the same rough ballpark as to performance (there's differences, of course, but they were more subtle than substantial), whereas unbranded or sketchy lesser-known brands revealed much lesser performance. I'd leave K&N filters on the shop shelf.

 

[Faawrenchbndr]

So I have an oil on analysis done. Take note of the silicon levels change that key in out for a Motorcraft filter. At the end of that oil, change interval, take another oil sample.

My money is on the Moorcraft significantly lowering silicon levels

 

[Johnson Johnson]

I tend to agree with that. The few air filter testing studies I've seen showed various name brand OEM type filters to be in the same rough ballpark as to performance (there's differences, of course, but they were more subtle than substantial), whereas unbranded or sketchy lesser-known brands revealed much lesser performance. I'd leave K&N filters on the shop shelf.

Some, Mann aftermarket was very poor in one test I saw, Mann OEM was good but not the best.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I have owned a few crown vics (7) and I actually had a fitment issue unless I used the Ford Motorcraft filters, I can't remember what brand gave me the issue but I could never be sure it would seal properly unless I used a Ford filter, it just fit better for whatever reason?
Also, I stopped using K&N on the Vic as the MAF sensor was so close to the filter the oil from the K&N would get on the MAF sensor. It never gave me a code but I could clean the sensor with CRC MAF cleaner and it had more throttle response and with-in 150 miles it would drive worse again, I change to a new Ford paper filter and it kept runner better and no more MAF cleaning was required so from that moment on no more K&N on a car with a MAF sensor and I ONLY use Motorcraft on Ford cars, ever more important is the spark plugs to get the exact proper heat range. That my 2 cents, go with Ford!

 

[Faawrenchbndr]

I went back to the Motorcraft filter. No surprises. I do miss the rigid construction of the K&N though.
The airbox on the mustang kind of has a pinch area that with the K&N I knew without a doubt that the filter was where it should be.
I see filters out there such as the AEM Dryflow that (maybe?) have the build quality of the K&N but with the efficiency of an OEM.

I had used an AEM dry filter. I recently removed it. I did an oil analysis and silicon was at 15ppm
Installed a Motorcraft. Will be interested to see what the next sample shows.

 

[zzyzzx]

I actually had a fitment issue unless I used the Ford Motorcraft filters, I can't remember what brand gave me the issue but I could never be sure it would seal properly unless I used a Ford filter, it just fit better for whatever reason?

I have noticed this on other vehicles as well.

 

[nthach]

Just my opinion but I tend to use OEM.

Yea, leave the K&N for a boat, Harley or a modded turbo engine.

For my applications(Toyota) nothing fits like OEM. I do have an Indian-made O’Reilly filter on the Camry, it’s going to get swapped out for OEM next oil change.