My letter to K&N: These oil filters are defective and almost killed me on the track. I've heard stories about them but have never experienced anything wrong with them personally until now. Never again will I purchase a k&n oil filter. I bought a six pack and I have only used 2 of them. At 1st i thought my right crank case was leaking so I took it off and resealed it. Only to find out after several test that it is these horrible oil filters; they leak out of the seam where the nut is attached to the filter. This product will be reviewed on my website motorcycle maintenance channel and on YouTube as well. Please make changes that will ensure the safety of your future customers. You've burned your last racer k&n! Concerned long time customer, Dr. Speed Lemon
There was a recall for this a little while back. I say recall, think it basically said dont use them if certain batch numbers.
I remember that and I didn't use that letter code, However this is a different letter code. This was their second chance from me. I really can't say I want to give them a 3rd chance. I think it's just time to switch manufacturers.
The filter has to be tighten to 26 nm since the nut is already on there I use the nut. There is no way to put an oil filter wrench on it (because the nut is there).
Yea I know the manual gives a torque figure but quite often people will only hand tighten oil filters on any vehicle. Either way, its shit. Be interested to hear K&Ns response.
I've been using K&N on BMW for few years on track with no issues. You need to check if your model/series is under recall.
I remember watching a video on them, with how the nut is mounted to them, using a socket on them to tighten up actually causes the spot welds to break, letting it leak. After that I've never bought one but bought a rubber strap oil filter tool just in case.
I always tightened by hand and only used the nut for taking it off, never had a problem doing it that way.
Only ever done these canister filters hand tight, the fact when you try to remove it by hand it’s nearly impossible and you need a wrench shows hand tight is good enough.
Honda suggests that the filter be tightened to 26 newton meters. I can not get it that tight by hand.
But the honda ones don't have a nut welded to them, they are designed to be used with the cap that fits over the whole filter.
Wow, thank you Dr. Speed Lemon for sharing this harrowing story. As luck would have it, I changed my oil and filter for first time last week (always had the dealer do this previously) and, guess what - I bought a K&N and tightened it with the nut to the Honda-specified torque. After reading this I have just ordered a genuine Honda OEM filter from Sportsbikeshop and I'll change it on Monday and not ride the bike again until afterwards. Hopefully I won't lose much of the expensive fully synthetic oil that I used - it looks like the filter sits quite high relative to the sump. With brilliant comedy timing I also did the same to my Kawasaki Z1000SX at the same time, so I'm getting a new OEM filter from the dealer today and I've ordered 4 more litres of the expensive fully synthetic oil for it as the filter is close to the bottom of the sump, not way above like on the 'blade - so it's going to need a complete oil change I might be being over-cautious, but for about £50 (total across the 2 bikes) I'm buying peace of mind and that's good enough for a worrier like me...
I just double over some wet and dry to get a good grip, amazing how much torque you can put on that way with your hands, the nut is for taking it off only, never use the nut to torque it on, either a hand job or get a strap... if you don't buy K&N you going to need hands or strap anyway
