K&N cabin filters

[GOHOGS]

Hi All,

I'm aware of all of the hazards with the traditional K&N air filters, and the oil used on them, so I stick with OEM. However, I noticed K&N makes a reusable cabin / AC filter that is washable with a cleaner product offered by K&N. Seems like a cost effective idea, as it will begin to pay out after 2 intervals on the traditional paper filter (I usually change every 10k-15k.)

Does anyone have any experience with this product compared to the regular OEM from Toyota / Lexus? Any good?

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

The K&N cabin air filter is still a cotton gauze media. So bad. Normally I don't say anything as simple as that, but in terms of filtration, it is. Their refresher talks about making the media regain "electrostatic" properties. Umm, no, not how that works.

K&N unfortunately is one of those companies that made good products for motorcycles decades ago when technology wasn't very good, but is now left being mostly advertising garbage products, at the expense of other's hard earned money.

For a cabin air filter, charcoal is a great addition to a solid cellulose media. I use either a Bosch HEPA, Fram Fresh Breeze, Toyota charcoal filter, or Mann with the polyphenol layer. Which ever is the cheapest at the time, around $15.

The K&N and cleaner kit is $50 on amazon, so in about 3.5 years, the K&N breaks even. But when I was reading about the refresher, it says the kit will provide about 3-4 cleaning. So you are really not saving money till about 5 years in. Not worth it ever in my mind, having had cars that don't have cabin air filter to begin with, I sure love having one in my 200, and wouldn't want to save a couple dollars a year, and deal with cleaning filters, to have more pollen pass into my cabin.

 

[GOHOGS]

The K&N cabin air filter is still a cotton gauze media. So bad. Normally I don't say anything as simple as that, but in terms of filtration, it is. Their refresher talks about making the media regain "electrostatic" properties. Umm, no, not how that works.

K&N is unfortunately is one one those companies that made good products for motorcycles decades ago when technology wasnt very good, but is now left being mostly advertising garbage products at the expense of other's hard earned money.

For a cabin air filter, charcoal is a great addition to a solid cellulose media. I use either the Bosch HEPA, Fram Fresh Breeze, Toyota charcoal filter, or Mann with the polyphenol layer. Which ever is the cheapest at the time, around $15.

The K&N and cleaner kit is $50 on amazon, so in about 3.5 years, the K&N breaks even. But when I was reading about the refresher, it says the kit will provide about 3-4 cleaning. So you are really not saving money till about 5 years in. Not worth it ever in my mind, having had cars that don't have cabin air filter to begin with, I sure love having one in my 200, and wouldn't want to save a couple dollars a year, and deal with cleaning filters, to have more pollen pass into my cabin.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably just stick with OEM every 10k-15k & call it a day

 

[gaijin]

The K&N cabin air filter is still a cotton gauze media. So bad. Normally I don't say anything as simple as that, but in terms of filtration, it is. Their refresher talks about making the media regain "electrostatic" properties. Umm, no, not how that works.

K&N unfortunately is one of those companies that made good products for motorcycles decades ago when technology wasn't very good, but is now left being mostly advertising garbage products, at the expense of other's hard earned money.

For a cabin air filter, charcoal is a great addition to a solid cellulose media. I use either a Bosch HEPA, Fram Fresh Breeze, Toyota charcoal filter, or Mann with the polyphenol layer. Which ever is the cheapest at the time, around $15.

The K&N and cleaner kit is $50 on amazon, so in about 3.5 years, the K&N breaks even. But when I was reading about the refresher, it says the kit will provide about 3-4 cleaning. So you are really not saving money till about 5 years in. Not worth it ever in my mind, having had cars that don't have cabin air filter to begin with, I sure love having one in my 200, and wouldn't want to save a couple dollars a year, and deal with cleaning filters, to have more pollen pass into my cabin.

My information and experience with the K&N Cabin Air Filter are different.

The filter media is variously described as "advanced synthetic filter media" (K&N Washable Cabin Air Filter - Reusable Cabin Filters) or "Non-woven Synthetic" (K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter, Replacement Filters), but in any event, it is not "a cotton gauze media" as you describe.

The Refresher Kit sold by K&N (K&N 99-6000 Cabin Filter Cleaning Care Kit, Filter Cleaning Kits and Accessories) is nothing more than a mild detergent and air freshener spray. It is entirely up to the user whether they use the K&N kit or just use something like Simple Green diluted 1:1 and Fabreze spray - either choice yields the same results with the latter being much cheaper. Even if the K&N kit is used, it would be capable of many more than 3-4 cleanings.

Living in the high desert, and traveling extensively in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah, dust mitigation is the most important performance factor for a cabin air filter in my use case.

The stock filter that came with my truck was worthless for stopping anything smaller than a leaf, it is single use with a replacement cost of about $14 depending where it is purchased (2013 Toyota Land Cruiser Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping).

I've tried a couple different filters to see if I could find one that worked better:

Toyota 87139-50100 Charcoal Cabin Air Filter, single use MSRP $35.00, discount price $25.61 + shipping (2013 Toyota Land Cruiser Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping):

MAHLE LAK 490 Charcoal Cabin Air Filter (dates on box should be 2016, not 2017 - I was getting ahead of myself), single use, online price $16.80 + shipping (2013 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 5.7L V8 Cabin Air Filter | RockAuto):

Both were better for dust mitigation than the stock filter, but both allowed the fine stuff to migrate downstream of the filter.

Then I tried the K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter, mutiple use, MSRP $63.29, discount online price $40.99 w/ Free Shipping (K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter, Replacement Filters):

This filter outperforms all other filters I have tested. What sets this filter apart is the mating surface between the filter and the filter holder. On stock and other filters, the seal is dependent on cotton media or open cell foam - neither of which is airtight. On the K&N filter, the mating surfaces on all four sides is a rubbery, compressible material that yields an airtight seal:

And if that weren't enough, you get a really skizzy K&N sticker!

So, basically, my take is that for about $5 more than Toyota's premium replacement filter, with the K&N I get a reusable, better performing filter.

YMMV.

HTH

 

[Markuson]

My information and experience with the K&N Cabin Air Filter are different.

Then I tried the K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter, mutiple use, MSRP $63.29, discount online price $40.99 w/ Free Shipping (K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter, Replacement Filters):

This filter outperforms all other filters I have tested. What sets this filter apart is the mating surface between the filter and the filter holder. On stock and other filters, the seal is dependent on cotton media or open cell foam - neither of which is airtight. On the K&N filter, the mating surfaces on all four sides is a rubbery, compressible material that yields an airtight seal:

And if that weren't enough, you get a really skizzy K&N sticker!

So, basically, my take is that for about $5 more than Toyota's premium replacement filter, with the K&N I get a reusable, better performing filter.

YMMV.

HTH

Just found your preferred filter for sale on Amazon for $35...free shipping with Prime:

Amazon.com: K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter: Automotive

Thanks for the post! I just ordered one.

 

[GOHOGS]

I appreciate all of the feedback. It's in stock at Walmart for $32.99 IIRC, plus cost of cleaning kit. I liked the sealing properties of the k&n around the edges.

Knowing that it's not a good use of time to mind fu** a cabin air filter (no special application for hvac for me), I'm planning on staying with OEM for simplicity unless there is a compelling reason to move to K&N.

 

[GOHOGS]

Understood. So there are mixed optinions on what's best. I sought those out, and received them. Kudos to the participants and thank you for the valued feedback.

@Markuson are you as fun at Xmas parties too, or just today?

 

[GOHOGS]

Not looking to start an argument. I respect your contributions to the community for sure. If I misread the tone I apologize, but I'm not looking to stir the pot on such a small issue as a cabin filter.

If I read sarcasm where there was not, then I sincerely apologize.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Ah don't worry about stirring up arguments, I think this is a pretty good group that takes constructive criticism well, and it helps find truly good products.

@gaijin, I messed up the cotton gauze thing, sorry for that, I thought that was what it was for another reason I'll talk about. But first, what type of testing did you do?

I used to live in west Texas, so I'm familiar with dust. But I tested that cabin air filter on a bench test with drawing fine dust through the filter and then have a white cloth behind the filter and then the vacuum. So it's dust, then filter to be tested, then white cloth, then vacuum.

That K&N, like all their products, left a rather dirty amount of air by. A good Mann or Bosch filter was better.

K&N acquired AEM some years ago, who actually makes a rather good media for fine dust filtration. They may of used a toned down version of that media for the cabin air filter. But my testing showed it sucked.

That's the kinda of resting I do when it comes to filters. I love this stuff, and I keep trying the same companies in hope that things can always change. But if you go into my trucks, you'll find Toyota air filters, Amsoil EA oil filters, and either Mann or Bosch cabin air filters.

To each their own. Anything is better than nothing.

 

[gaijin]

@gaijin, I messed up the cotton gauze thing, sorry for that, I thought that was what it was for another reason I'll talk about. But first, what type of testing did you do?

My testing is pretty simple. There's a section of the Old Spanish Trail in southern Nevada that I run from time to time just for kicks. It has some nice whoops, dips and high speed curves; but it also has patches of deep deposits of diatomaceous earth (D.E.).

D.E. is actually the skeletons of diatoms, a kind of ancient algae, which presents as a fine dust - typically around 10-20 microns, I'd guess, in the areas I run. The locals call it "poof dirt."

If, when I run through a deep stretch of D.E., a lot of the dust winds up in the cabin, then my cabin air filter is not doing its job and I have to spend a day getting D.E. out of all the nooks and crannies inside my truck - it's like talcum powder. This was the case with all the filters I mentioned above except the K&N filter. The K&N cabin air filter successfully stopped all of the D.E. that made it to the filter. This is the only filter I've tried that was successful in stopping the D.E.

I imagine for 99.9% of all posters here in the forum a cabin air filter is pretty far down the list of important things for their rides, but for that 0.1% of us who need it, the K&N does the job well.

I'd like to see the results of your testing if you feel like sharing.

HTH

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

That's a fun trail, kinda makes me miss when I lived out there. I didn't know the back story of the soil there, I just called it silt. Pretty interesting.

I'm bad about taking pictures of stuff or really even sharing all this stuff I work on. Thats kinda part of the reason I starting talking on this forum. I had a lot of friends tell me I should start sharing more, so I tried with Jeep and other toyota forums, but people were not feelin' it I guess. A lot of emotion in the reason they buy and do things, not much real testing. The 200 crowd is definitely respectful, so I've stayed with it here. But truth be told, if a couple people get disrespectful, I'm out. Just had enough fighting in my life, don't want one of the few things I have left to have negatives in it also. @Markuson knows what I'm talked about. Not to say anyone is being rediculous now, just sharing my thoughts and background for better understanding.

If you are having good results, great! I feel there are too many variables to see that as a test, the climate control on auto, a more dusty day with one filter than on another day with another filter. I've had vehicles that don't even have vents have dust everywhere, and vehicles without cabin air filters at all stay clean on the inside in sand storms.

So that's why I put together my little air box, get some sand that I can blow with my breath into a jar, and suck it though a filter. The whitter and lighter (yea baby, weight of sand!) the cloth is on the backside, tells me in the exact same situation, a filter that lets less or more stuff though.

I'm really trying to get better at documenting stuff, but active duty, with a family, and still building others cars up, I just get in my moment, and then I think later, damn I should of taken video, or picture at least.

 

[wfd175]

I've been searching for a 200 series AC issues thread. In troubleshooting mode right now. Front AC drivers side vents blow cool not cold. If I turn the fan to low the temp gets cooler. The passenger front is half as cold as the drivers , both sides set on low, re-circ or fresh air in makes no difference.

The rear ac is sporadic at best.

Is the rear ac system mechanically completely stand alone?

Anyone experienced blender dampener door issues?

Going to investigate as much as possible prior to taking to the dealer. Going to start with the cabin filters.

Anyone have a electronic copy of the 2011 FSM ac section available?

I had a similar issue on my dual climate control on my company truck, it would up being a dampener blender actuator. That was a $1800 bill , the dealer had to pull the dash. Ouch

If I do take it to the dealer, I'm only going to have them verify the ac compressors and Freiburg level are ok. I'm thinking blender door because on low, it does get cold.

 

[Markuson]

I have a dust problem on my rig right now that's unrelated to air filters...

My rear tail-gate closes and locks too far away from the rubber gasket that lines the rear exit! It's weird...because there are two rubber stops that are just in front of the metal hooks/squared rings on each side. The stops prevent it from closing further, yet if I remove those stops...there is PLAY in the latch! So... It has always closed to shallow...leaving a serious gap--not because the gasket is bad, but because the positioning of the latch & bump stops prevent it from fully contacting the gasket (or whatever that rubber is called).

Need to figure out a solution for that, because after dusty roads, I'm finding tons of dusty crud in the corners back there.

 

[Markuson]

That's a fun trail, kinda makes me miss when I lived out there. I didn't know the back story of the soil there, I just called it silt. Pretty interesting.

I'm bad about taking pictures of stuff or really even sharing all this stuff I work on. Thats kinda part of the reason I starting talking on this forum. I had a lot of friends tell me I should start sharing more, so I tried with Jeep and other toyota forums, but people were not feelin' it I guess. A lot of emotion in the reason they buy and do things, not much real testing. The 200 crowd is definitely respectful, so I've stayed with it here. But truth be told, if a couple people get disrespectful, I'm out. Just had enough fighting in my life, don't want one of the few things I have left to have negatives in it also. @Markuson knows what I'm talked about. Not to say anyone is being rediculous now, just sharing my thoughts and background for better understanding.

If you are having good results, great! I feel there are too many variables to see that as a test, the climate control on auto, a more dusty day with one filter than on another day with another filter. I've had vehicles that don't even have vents have dust everywhere, and vehicles without cabin air filters at all stay clean on the inside in sand storms.

So that's why I put together my little air box, get some sand that I can blow with my breath into a jar, and suck it though a filter. The whitter and lighter (yea baby, weight of sand!) the cloth is on the backside, tells me in the exact same situation, a filter that lets less or more stuff though.

I'm really trying to get better at documenting stuff, but active duty, with a family, and still building others cars up, I just get in my moment, and then I think later, damn I should of taken video, or picture at least.

Yo @gaijin and @TacoCruiser...

-I find each of you to be two of the most informed, & informaTIVE guys on this forum. It's valuable to all that you scrutinize your own gear, and also post when you might take a different view on things. I learn so much here every day thanks to guys like y'all. Keep it up.