I had my Sebring into my mechanic to do an inspection after taking it out of winter storage. In looking under the car he observed my K&N oil filter and asked my why I had such a piece of junk filter on it, his recommendation was Fram or an OE Mopar filter. Ive been under the impression the K&N filter was a good filter, is that not necessarily true? I have since switched to a WIX filter since it was part of an oil change special at O'reilly, seems like a high quality filter, especially for the price. My Sebring has the 2.7 motor famous for sludge, fortunately when I replaced the valve cover gaskets at 122,000 miles there wasnt a trace of sludge anywhere, Ive been using a K&N filter for years on it.
K&N Oil Filter Quality
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The K&N Filter is one of the better filters on the market by far.
It's the Fram (assuming he's talking the plain orange one) that's junk.
It's the Fram (assuming he's talking the plain orange one) that's junk.
I keep hearing/reading both about K&N oil filters. Some say they are a better-quality, higher-efficiency filter identical to the Mobil 1 EP, and some say they are a rock-catcher designed for flow over filtering ability like their air filters. I wish there was some definitive information proving it either way.
Your average wrench slinger soes NOT have a [censored] in ME. They are in the retail service trade where knowledge impedes making a sale. ( Notice the droids actually censored the term "B S" which is a universal abbreviation for Batchelor of Science. It's coming, folks, just like Orwell said it would.)
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Oil filter selection in here is like underwear selection, vague and vastly different................lol
K&N filters are overpriced, but I see nothing wrong with them aside from that. I tend to equate them to Mobil 1 filters, which I also feel are overpriced but I'd get them if they're on sale because they're good filters otherwise. There are filters out there that will do just as well, if not better, for less $$.
The K&N was once a Champ, as I recall.
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K&N claims their filters have a "high oil flow rate".
K & N oil filters.
Given about the same size, to get a higher flow rate their filters have to give up the ability to catch smaller particles that the OEM style filters trap.
It's difficult to know for sure if the difference really matters in real world driving especially if you don't keep a car beyond the factory before trading up.
The actual quality of construction is excellent, at least as good as anything on the market.
For me I use the Mobil 1 oil filter on one car and a NAPA Gold on the other because there is no Mobil 1 in that size. I buy cars new and keep them. One car is 12 years old and the other 31 years old.
Mobil 1 oil filters.
I don't need "extra flow" and opt for the possibility of better filtration and longer engine life.
The good thing about all this is that there is plenty of information and even more opinions on the subject and you get to choose.
Oil filter cross reference.
K & N oil filters.
Given about the same size, to get a higher flow rate their filters have to give up the ability to catch smaller particles that the OEM style filters trap.
It's difficult to know for sure if the difference really matters in real world driving especially if you don't keep a car beyond the factory before trading up.
The actual quality of construction is excellent, at least as good as anything on the market.
For me I use the Mobil 1 oil filter on one car and a NAPA Gold on the other because there is no Mobil 1 in that size. I buy cars new and keep them. One car is 12 years old and the other 31 years old.
Mobil 1 oil filters.
I don't need "extra flow" and opt for the possibility of better filtration and longer engine life.
The good thing about all this is that there is plenty of information and even more opinions on the subject and you get to choose.
Oil filter cross reference.
K&N are "fine" but for the price, you are not getting anything uber-special. It is above-average-to-upper-tier but premium-priced filter. So don't worry about it being junk at a premium. If it makes you happy, go for it. I think the extra $2 for the nut is a bit much (and I have bought them on clearance). I prefer WIX since it is a local make for me and FRAM (depending on the model) can be a good filter as well (maybe the best bang for the buck along with a NAPA Gold sale (wix)).
The 2.7 is fine... the cooling system, tranny, and the electrics are the bigger worry.
The 2.7 is fine... the cooling system, tranny, and the electrics are the bigger worry.
So far the engine has been good, transmission in mine must be pretty good since it survived me driving it 500 miles before noticing the quick lube that did the flush didnt put ATF+4 fluid in it. Took it back, had ATF+4 put back in it and its been fine ever since. Its at 122K on the original transmission which is pretty good for these from what I understand.
Originally Posted By: qdeezie
The K&N Filter is one of the better filters on the market by far.
It's the Fram (assuming he's talking the plain orange one) that's junk.
I have to disagree with your orange can comment. I have over 315000 on my truck that has had quite a few orange cans on it and it runs better than some new engines. And most old ones
The K&N Filter is one of the better filters on the market by far.
It's the Fram (assuming he's talking the plain orange one) that's junk.
I have to disagree with your orange can comment. I have over 315000 on my truck that has had quite a few orange cans on it and it runs better than some new engines. And most old ones
Oil filters are over rated anyway. Use what you want. It wont matter in the end.
Originally Posted By: carguy996
So far the engine has been good, transmission in mine must be pretty good since it survived me driving it 500 miles before noticing the quick lube that did the flush didnt put ATF+4 fluid in it. Took it back, had ATF+4 put back in it and its been fine ever since. Its at 122K on the original transmission which is pretty good for these from what I understand.
Good to hear. My family (father, brother, uncle) had 2 of the three Sebrings with transmission failures and the one that didn't was not 100% healthy. One replaced at 90K, the other at 129K. Now, I can't fault my brother's car completely since he is gas-and-go so who knows if he ever serviced it. The one without issues was killed by the leaky thermostat housing (small part that snow-balled into bigger issues).
So far the engine has been good, transmission in mine must be pretty good since it survived me driving it 500 miles before noticing the quick lube that did the flush didnt put ATF+4 fluid in it. Took it back, had ATF+4 put back in it and its been fine ever since. Its at 122K on the original transmission which is pretty good for these from what I understand.
Good to hear. My family (father, brother, uncle) had 2 of the three Sebrings with transmission failures and the one that didn't was not 100% healthy. One replaced at 90K, the other at 129K. Now, I can't fault my brother's car completely since he is gas-and-go so who knows if he ever serviced it. The one without issues was killed by the leaky thermostat housing (small part that snow-balled into bigger issues).
Actually K&N shipped off production of the filters to Korea recently. Some even are made in Mexico too. They dropped the made in the USA and also went from being about 95% efficient at 20 microns to being about 85% efficient at 20 microns. So they must have dropped the media quality to a plain cellulose based media based on the efficiency. They never dropped the price when they dropped the quality.
So you are paying for a premium filter with premium construction and economy media. Not cool in my book. The mechanic obviously didn't know any of that but he was right sort of.
The Wix you installed is a 95% efficient filter just like the Fram Extra Guards, both higher than the K&N.
If you can find a new old stock K&N filter it would be okay to use, but there's no reason to pay the exorbitant prices of the K&N now when you can get Fram Ultras for cheaper which are superior in every way including efficiency and holding capacity. 99%+ efficient at 20 microns and 80 %@5 microns and rates for 15,000 FCI.
So you are paying for a premium filter with premium construction and economy media. Not cool in my book. The mechanic obviously didn't know any of that but he was right sort of.
The Wix you installed is a 95% efficient filter just like the Fram Extra Guards, both higher than the K&N.
If you can find a new old stock K&N filter it would be okay to use, but there's no reason to pay the exorbitant prices of the K&N now when you can get Fram Ultras for cheaper which are superior in every way including efficiency and holding capacity. 99%+ efficient at 20 microns and 80 %@5 microns and rates for 15,000 FCI.
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Actually K&N shipped off production of the filters to Korea recently. Some even are made in Mexico too.
Are you all SURE they're not made in the U.S.??? I just examined an air filter (maybe they're different?) a couple of days ago and it clearly was stamped "Made in the U.S.A."
Ed
Actually K&N shipped off production of the filters to Korea recently. Some even are made in Mexico too.
Are you all SURE they're not made in the U.S.??? I just examined an air filter (maybe they're different?) a couple of days ago and it clearly was stamped "Made in the U.S.A."
Ed
Originally Posted By: Ed_Flecko
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Actually K&N shipped off production of the filters to Korea recently. Some even are made in Mexico too.
Are you all SURE they're not made in the U.S.??? I just examined an air filter (maybe they're different?) a couple of days ago and it clearly was stamped "Made in the U.S.A."
Ed
Yes I'm sure. You must be looking at one of the new old stock filters. It was first posted in mid 2013.
See Motorkings post.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3101379&page=2
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Actually K&N shipped off production of the filters to Korea recently. Some even are made in Mexico too.
Are you all SURE they're not made in the U.S.??? I just examined an air filter (maybe they're different?) a couple of days ago and it clearly was stamped "Made in the U.S.A."
Ed
Yes I'm sure. You must be looking at one of the new old stock filters. It was first posted in mid 2013.
See Motorkings post.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3101379&page=2
I doubt any filter on the market is going to make a difference in your car.
Just change it regularly.
KN has the nut on the end, so if you use it then stick with it.
Just change it regularly.
KN has the nut on the end, so if you use it then stick with it.
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