K&N oil filter never again : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

roadking c 06 · 07-05-2012, 07:41 AM

I had my bike worked on (not by dealer) he installed a k&n oil filter instead of HD. Well a couple days ago I decided to change the oil & I could not get the filter off. The nut stripped out & yes I was turning it the right way. So I pounded a screwdriver through it & all that did was rip the filter, didn't even looseing it a bit. I had to take the voltage reg. Off & grab the filter with a big pare of channel locks . It worked nut what a pain in the ass. Never again!

Uncle Salty · 07-05-2012, 08:17 AM

The filter was probably over tightened. Why blame the filter?

Inspector 12 · 07-05-2012, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty

The filter was probably over tightened. Why blame the filter?

Why blame K&N because someone over tightened their product. Could have happened regardless of filter brand if the tech over tightened. I would suggest you should consider not using that shop again before blaming a company that makes great products.

roadking c 06 · 07-06-2012, 06:38 AM

Yea it was probably over tightened but the nut on the end of the filter seemed like it was made out of prety soft metal. My point being is that the nut shouldn't have rounded out no matter how tight the filter was.

Uncle Salty · 07-06-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadking c 06

Yea it was probably over tightened but the nut on the end of the filter seemed like it was made out of prety soft metal. My point being is that the nut shouldn't have rounded out no matter how tight the filter was.

Years ago I tried to remove a premium brand name filter from a Chevy 250 CID 6 cylinder engine. The filter was installed too tight. I crushed it with a filter wrench. I drove a large screwdriver through it and tried to unscrew it. The filter body ripped. I patiently worked at getting the filter off until there was nothing left of it except the base that was still attached to the engine block. I then removed the base with a chisel and a hammer. The filter was in dozens of pieces.

If I recall correctly, the "nut" on the K&N filter is a piece of stamped metal tacked to the body of the filter. It has never failed on the K&N filters I have used, even the filters I use on my 7.3 L diesel. These have to be tightened much more than you would normally tighten an auto or motorcycle filter. My point is the filter isn't the problem. The person that tightened the crap out of it probably was the problem. The filter has limitations and those were surpassed in your case and in my example above. It's your money, spend it how you like but I wouldn't be afraid to use a K&N oil filter on anything I own.

Road King Cole · 07-06-2012, 10:08 AM

To add what the wise Uncle Salty just said:

I think most people feel that the K&N filter is a step up in quality from the HD filter.

Probably millions of happy customers.

rkc

Dan89FLSTC · 07-07-2012, 04:51 PM

Blame the goof who installed the filter, not the filter...

I think the biggest cause of stuck filters is not over tightening, but failure to lube the gasket with oil before installation.

Bill G · 07-08-2012, 11:03 AM

Yet another of many examples of why I do my own maintanance & wrenching on my Harley..To many encompitent guys out there that do stuff wrong or scratch your bike being careless. I do it right when I do it myself..Plus it saves me money & time.

Ride Safe All,

Bill G

Rollmeaway · 07-08-2012, 01:07 PM

Like everyone has said, it is not the filters fault '' its the Dude who you trusted to put it on correctly''.
Next time ya see him let him know the rubber gasket must be lubed like Dan89 stated & no more than 1/2 - 3/4 turn once the rubber gasket has touched the mating surface.

I cant recall how many I have seen over the years but when I do I always ask where it was done last.
I always prime my filters (instant pressure) & mark them at 12 oclock that way I know if someone else has been there before me.
Ya gotta love the tech whos terrified the frickin thing is gunna fall off & uses a filter wrench to tighten it....

Sturge · 07-09-2012, 11:48 AM

So I gotta ask...for those of us who do our own maintenance...have any of you EVER had an oil filter leak after installing because I have not. In all the vehicles & oil changes I've done in my life, I always start it up and take a look to verify no leaks but it has never happened. That would lead me to conclude this is pretty freakin' basic stuff.

Which brings me to my next question...Who are these MORON's that think they have to torque the hell out of an oil filter so it won't leak?

Dan89FLSTC · 07-09-2012, 07:55 PM

I have read dozens of posts complaining about oil filters that were installed too tight, I`m wondering how many called or went back to the shop to let the mechanics know of their error...

I bet that more often than not the oil changer who over tightens an oil filter is a young person, maybe just getting into wrenching and does not know this stuff yet.

A service manager or experienced tech can tell a new guy how to tighten a filter, but the inexperienced mech may have a hard time believing it, until he has to remove one that he/she has over tightened.

Drop the filter before dumping the oil, that way if you can`t get the filter off without destroying it, you can ride it over to the shop and get the service manager to have the guy who installed it get it loose.

Maybe it`s a wacky idea, hell, I`ve never brought my bike in to a shop for any type of work...

TUCCI · 08-04-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill G

Yet another of many examples of why I do my own maintanance & wrenching on my Harley..To many encompitent guys out there that do stuff wrong or scratch your bike being careless. I do it right when I do it myself..Plus it saves me money & time.

Ride Safe All,

Bill G

Amen Bill, amen. Curious....did you request that filter or did they install it without your knowledge?

lucille · 08-04-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

....I bet that more often than not the oil changer who over tightens an oil filter is a young person, maybe just getting into wrenching and does not know this stuff yet.

A service manager or experienced tech can tell a new guy how to tighten a filter, but the inexperienced mech may have a hard time believing it, until he has to remove one that he/she has over tightened.......

You're probably paying 'journeyman's rate' for the kid sweeping the floor, the kid that will be a 'young apprentice' next year.

This goes for overtightend filters, undertightend drain plugs, and a variety of mis-ques found in any shop.

Learn this stuff yourself, take your time, become familiar with your bike and hand tools.....and enjoy the coin you will save....

Yankee Ride · 08-07-2012, 08:51 AM

I had a similar experience, although I didn't pierce the shell of the filter and went to my LBS to have it removed (cost me a 6 pack of American beer!)

They told me that it's necessary to use a correct size box end wrench with one palm heal over the nut - since the top of the K&N nut seems to be slightly "crowned".

Now I don't tourque the fiters on too tight!

boston62 · 11-29-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadking c 06

I had my bike worked on (not by dealer) he installed a k&n oil filter instead of HD. Well a couple days ago I decided to change the oil & I could not get the filter off. The nut stripped out & yes I was turning it the right way. So I pounded a screwdriver through it & all that did was rip the filter, didn't even looseing it a bit. I had to take the voltage reg. Off & grab the filter with a big pare of channel locks . It worked nut what a pain in the ass. Never again!

Happened to a friend of mine same thing, he said the filter calls for a 7/8 of a turn after first mating of the gasket, well the nut stripped off like yours, and he did install it, he told me don't follow the K&N directions, I just did mine and went 1/4 turn, then checked for leaks. No problem so far. Sorry for the problems.