K&N air filters sensor damage

[BAIKAR]

Has anyone any experience of these on previous cars? I wanted to fit the panel filter rather than the full induction kit but am a little bit confused at some reports of the air flow meters being damaged by the oil in the filters. Seems to come from people over oiling the filter after cleaning them.

I've no plans to change exhaust etc so would you not bother?

[greeper]

I have had one on a previous car for about 2 years with no problems. It did make a small difference to the car not as much as an induction system would but the real life gains differ on different cars.

[BAIKAR]

would you put one on your GT though?

[jmn82]

The K&Ns are oil based, so there is a history of problems with VAG engines. My TT didn't like it so I ended up ditching it. I wouldn't recommend one from my personal experience.

[BAIKAR]

When you say didn't like it did it do any damage or just run bad?

[jmn82]

I don't think it does any real damage, no. The MAF sensor just gets dirty, so one of the engine warning lights comes on. Whether or not the ECU tries to do anything to the engine in response I don't know.

There are plenty of non-oil based filters available (I personally switched to a Powertec kit), so there are other options.

[BAIKAR]

i bought a filter thinking id do the car a favour a replace the crappy oem filter but now the filter is set for ebay, i can't be bothered with the hassle

[jmn82]

For a relatively cheap mod you can just get a foam panel filter to replace the paper one, and then remove the water deflector from inside the airbox. That's what Pipercross have done to mine while they wait for the new parts to be manufactured, and it does seem to have sharpened the throttle response a bit.