K&N air filter issues 2005 E320 CDI
#26
Junior Member
Writing text of your opinion on an internet forum is not evidence, the ONLY thing you have provided is an unsubstantiated anecdote.
You have not provided any evidence of testing. You have not provided any data to be reviewed. You have not linked to any studies. You have not done anything but talk about your personal subjective opinion about how your vehicle "feels" to you.
I doublt you actually understand what the words "objective" and "evidence" actually mean in science.
You have not provided any evidence of testing. You have not provided any data to be reviewed. You have not linked to any studies. You have not done anything but talk about your personal subjective opinion about how your vehicle "feels" to you.
I doublt you actually understand what the words "objective" and "evidence" actually mean in science.
Last edited by OM617.95; 04-14-2016 at 04:56 PM.
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
For those haven't happened across this other thread, here is my oil analysis on my R320. I use K&N filters.
https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-fo...s-results.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-fo...s-results.html
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
Just adding my threepence here.
I have had 2 Peugeot 504's ( 1979 & 1980 ) cars which had oiled foam air cleaners. I washed them out & re-oiled every 15,000 km in country conditions. They always looked quiet dirty on the inside (catching side) & clean on the carby side. The 1979 car did 450,000 km before being retired . The engine compression figures were still very acceptable & even. The car had never had the head removed. I still have the 1980 vehicle & the oiled foam filters have been used for 36 years without any detrimental effect.
In latter years instead of mineral engine oil I have used the motorcycle sticky/drying type which seems to be effective.
My 1984 Honda farm motor cycle also lasted until this year with a oiled foam filter covering a cloth type in a frame. . Its compression was down but still started easily. It served in dusty off road conditions.
I have had trusty lawnmowers with oiled foam filters which lasted many many years. The steel frame rusted before the engine failed.
Our later vehicles ( 405 Peugeot Diesel & 204 MB Diesel) & lawnmowers were fitted with paper filters & again I have had no complaint with them.
So my advice in this discussion is what ever form of filter you use , so long as they are cleaned regularly or replaced at the makers recommended interval all will be well.
P.S. My first car ,a 1951 Wolseley 6-80 had an oil bath air cleaner which consisted of a wire gauze cage in an oil bath. All the rings were broken & in the sump but cannot say whether the cause was dust or not. !!
I have had 2 Peugeot 504's ( 1979 & 1980 ) cars which had oiled foam air cleaners. I washed them out & re-oiled every 15,000 km in country conditions. They always looked quiet dirty on the inside (catching side) & clean on the carby side. The 1979 car did 450,000 km before being retired . The engine compression figures were still very acceptable & even. The car had never had the head removed. I still have the 1980 vehicle & the oiled foam filters have been used for 36 years without any detrimental effect.
In latter years instead of mineral engine oil I have used the motorcycle sticky/drying type which seems to be effective.
My 1984 Honda farm motor cycle also lasted until this year with a oiled foam filter covering a cloth type in a frame. . Its compression was down but still started easily. It served in dusty off road conditions.
I have had trusty lawnmowers with oiled foam filters which lasted many many years. The steel frame rusted before the engine failed.
Our later vehicles ( 405 Peugeot Diesel & 204 MB Diesel) & lawnmowers were fitted with paper filters & again I have had no complaint with them.
So my advice in this discussion is what ever form of filter you use , so long as they are cleaned regularly or replaced at the makers recommended interval all will be well.
P.S. My first car ,a 1951 Wolseley 6-80 had an oil bath air cleaner which consisted of a wire gauze cage in an oil bath. All the rings were broken & in the sump but cannot say whether the cause was dust or not. !!
Last edited by Carsy; 04-15-2016 at 06:18 AM.
#29
Super Moderator
Yes, JC. Oiled foam filters are much more effective than oiled screen filters like K&N.
#30
MBWorld Fanatic!
#31
Super Moderator
#32
Junior Member
Thats because foam filters are a kind of "labyrinth" filter. They rely on the air having to frequently change direction which causes dirt to lose velocity and fall out of the flow.
K&N relies entirely on the low surface tension of the oil to capture dirt as it contacts the oil. Problem is, there are very large holes in the mesh of oiled gauze filters and the momentum of the dirt can cause it to not stick at all or be pulled out of the oil.
Those large holes are the entire problem. They are what give K&N great air flow, but they don't filter worth a crap and they plug up extremely fast.
Air filter designs are a balance of restriction to flow, filtration quality and size (surface area). ALL filters will have measurable restriction unless its very oversized or very poor filtering. The question is, is that extra 5hp at the very top of the RPM range that you use only a small amount of time really worth allowing more dirt into your engine all of the time?
K&N relies entirely on the low surface tension of the oil to capture dirt as it contacts the oil. Problem is, there are very large holes in the mesh of oiled gauze filters and the momentum of the dirt can cause it to not stick at all or be pulled out of the oil.
Those large holes are the entire problem. They are what give K&N great air flow, but they don't filter worth a crap and they plug up extremely fast.
Air filter designs are a balance of restriction to flow, filtration quality and size (surface area). ALL filters will have measurable restriction unless its very oversized or very poor filtering. The question is, is that extra 5hp at the very top of the RPM range that you use only a small amount of time really worth allowing more dirt into your engine all of the time?
Last edited by OM617.95; 04-22-2016 at 11:59 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Carsy (04-23-2016)
#33
Super Moderator
Thats because foam filters are a kind of "labyrinth" filter. They rely on the air having to frequently change direction which causes dirt to lose velocity and fall out of the flow.
K&N relies entirely on the low surface tension of the oil to capture dirt as it contacts the oil. Problem is, there are very large holes in the mesh of oiled gauze filters and the momentum of the dirt can cause it to not stick at all or be pulled out of the oil.
Those large holes are the entire problem. They are what give K&N great air flow, but they don't filter worth a crap and they plug up extremely fast.
Air filter designs are a balance of restriction to flow, filtration quality and size (surface area). ALL filters will have measurable restriction unless its very oversized or very poor filtering. The question is, is that extra 5hp at the very top of the RPM range that you use only a small amount of time really worth allowing more dirt into your engine all of the time?
K&N relies entirely on the low surface tension of the oil to capture dirt as it contacts the oil. Problem is, there are very large holes in the mesh of oiled gauze filters and the momentum of the dirt can cause it to not stick at all or be pulled out of the oil.
Those large holes are the entire problem. They are what give K&N great air flow, but they don't filter worth a crap and they plug up extremely fast.
Air filter designs are a balance of restriction to flow, filtration quality and size (surface area). ALL filters will have measurable restriction unless its very oversized or very poor filtering. The question is, is that extra 5hp at the very top of the RPM range that you use only a small amount of time really worth allowing more dirt into your engine all of the time?