K&N or GREEN filter ruining the MAF?

gknight8 · 05-18-2008

I was going to get a K&N filter but I heard that the MAF gets dirty from the oil and also allows dirt particles through so a replacement MAF is needed, so I decided to get the GREEN filter but it also uses oil for filtration! So what is the real story does the
microscopic amount of oil, and or dirt that gets sucked in, does it actually destroy the MAF?

**DansSlk** · 05-18-2008

This has been covered quite a few times, as far as i am aware nobody on this site has suffered damage to the MAF or any other component from using Green filters.

I can't speak for any of the other brand's because I've never tested them but i do know that K&N uses a lot of oil so that is probably what causes the issue.

gknight8 · 05-18-2008

That's what I thought since I have had K&N in my other car for 5 years now with no issues, I was just wondering if the MAF on the MB was just more fragile. Thanks for the heads up

**DansSlk** · 05-18-2008

The MAF's are very sensitive, the way i see it Green's are used in WRC and while they inspect and care for the engines way more than any standard road car is used to they get one hell of a beating when they are running and I'm sure no self respecting engineer would spec a filter that he/she thought would be detrimental to the car.

When you consider what they get subjected to that does give me confidence in them.

I think perhaps some super strong sticky tape test's behind the filters in the airbox and a borescope inspection of the intake manifold would be interesting to have along with some out of engine tests of the filter's capabilities, then we might have something sticky worth.

**etyu** · 05-19-2008

Unless you have quad air filter set-up like this pix

:

Link: http://www.slkworld.com/amgs/5750-quad-air-filters.html

Seriously speaking (I can only say from personal experience): The Green Air Filters look dry and less "oily" coming from the factory, ergo, less chance for fouling the MAF sensors. I've had them for more than one year in the prior 280 and around 9 months on the 55. So far so good (knock on wood), not to mention fuel cost savings of 2 mpg

**alroumi** · 05-19-2008

I have the Green filters installed on my car for two years now, I've never changed it and knock on wood nothing wrong has happened so far.

SuzaFan · 05-19-2008

I have to say that i have K&N on my car, for around 4000 km now, and have to say that everything is OK.
K&N is really a well known established brand, and I doubt that they would produce filters which damage the MAF sensors...

Bill T · 05-19-2008

its not the filter that does the damage its the oil on the filter

**alroumi** · 05-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

its not the filter that does the damage its the oil on the filter

Yes, thats very true and K&N uses oil excessively.

SuzaFan · 05-19-2008

Yes, I know it is the oil, but wouldn't they (people in K&N) notice that in all those years and put less oil...??

nmslk · 05-19-2008

I thought the issues mentioned wtih K&N were not the factory delivered oil levels but the amount of oil on the filter after being cleaned and re-oiled by the consumers. If I recall it says to let the filters dry out (in the sun) after re-oiling to dry out the excess oil.

nmslk

Bill T · 05-19-2008

I have purchased and installed many K&N filters over the years, I would say 3/4 of them were over oiled right out of the box. My fix for this issue was to clean and re-oil then let them sit and dry in the sun for a day then give them a good wipedown before installing.

I have had both brands side by side and I think the greens have a better filter material. (very noticable when there is no oil on the filters)

Gayle280 · 05-19-2008

I have no experience with K&N or Green on my SLK,however I have used K&N for 15 years on my Sentra 1993 SER (Several Mods and I do at least one 7,500 RPM shift when I take it out) and never have had any trouble with the MAF or performance. I know about the tendency to over oil so I have two and when I change out I have a clean oiled filter that has several weeks or months of drying before use. I havent made the switch yet on my SLK though.

algrensan · 05-22-2008

i have green filters (purchased from the slk store ofcourse!) for some time now on my '05 slk350 with zero problems so far. speaking of which, how much mileage/time is recommended before cleaning them and respraying them?

**etyu** · 05-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by algrensan

i have green filters (purchased from the slk store ofcourse!) for some time now on my '05 slk350 with zero problems so far. speaking of which, how much mileage/time is recommended before cleaning them and respraying them?

From Green Air Filter: they recommend between 30K to 50K

**jbanks15** · 05-23-2008

just received my green from slk store, but since car is only 3 days old i want to be able to distinquish the sound from stock so i am waiting a bit.

barnabas · 06-04-2008

hey guys.. while reading this thread, i was wondering does the green filter improve the muffler sound of the car? is it noticable? i have chnaged my resonator with x pipe

barnabas · 06-13-2008

does anyone knows where to get the green filter?

**alroumi** · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnabas

does anyone knows where to get the green filter?

euroteckmotorsporsts

barnabas · 06-13-2008

i saw many people sayign the buy from the slk store. and then slkworld but i couldnt find it in this slkworld.com. any idea? thx

05-18-2008	#1 (permalink)
gknight8 SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Vehicle: SLK280 Other Toys: BMW Motorcycle, 32'power boat Posts: 34 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	K&N or GREEN filter ruining the MAF? I was going to get a K&N filter but I heard that the MAF gets dirty from the oil and also allows dirt particles through so a replacement MAF is needed, so I decided to get the GREEN filter but it also uses oil for filtration! So what is the real story does the microscopic amount of oil, and or dirt that gets sucked in, does it actually destroy the MAF?
	http://www.slkworld.com/

05-18-2008	#2 (permalink)
DansSlk Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,457 Country: Thanks: 84 Thanked 136 Times in 106 Posts	This has been covered quite a few times, as far as i am aware nobody on this site has suffered damage to the MAF or any other component from using Green filters. I can't speak for any of the other brand's because I've never tested them but i do know that K&N uses a lot of oil so that is probably what causes the issue. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

05-18-2008	#4 (permalink)
DansSlk Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,457 Country: Thanks: 84 Thanked 136 Times in 106 Posts	The MAF's are very sensitive, the way i see it Green's are used in WRC and while they inspect and care for the engines way more than any standard road car is used to they get one hell of a beating when they are running and I'm sure no self respecting engineer would spec a filter that he/she thought would be detrimental to the car. When you consider what they get subjected to that does give me confidence in them. I think perhaps some super strong sticky tape test's behind the filters in the airbox and a borescope inspection of the intake manifold would be interesting to have along with some out of engine tests of the filter's capabilities, then we might have something sticky worth. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

05-19-2008	#5 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 4,910 Country: Thanks: 313 Thanked 206 Times in 106 Posts	Unless you have quad air filter set-up like this pix : Link: http://www.slkworld.com/amgs/5750-quad-air-filters.html Seriously speaking (I can only say from personal experience): The Green Air Filters look dry and less "oily" coming from the factory, ergo, less chance for fouling the MAF sensors. I've had them for more than one year in the prior 280 and around 9 months on the 55. So far so good (knock on wood), not to mention fuel cost savings of 2 mpg __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.* EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, HyperWhite license plate lamps ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Scott), bilateral rear fog lamps enabled. Last edited by etyu; 05-19-2008 at 12:31 PM.

05-19-2008	#6 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,021 Country: Thanks: 229 Thanked 157 Times in 95 Posts	I have the Green filters installed on my car for two years now, I've never changed it and knock on wood nothing wrong has happened so far. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

05-18-2008	#3 (permalink)
gknight8 SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Vehicle: SLK280 Other Toys: BMW Motorcycle, 32'power boat Posts: 34 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's what I thought since I have had K&N in my other car for 5 years now with no issues, I was just wondering if the MAF on the MB was just more fragile. Thanks for the heads up

05-19-2008	#7 (permalink)
SuzaFan Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Croatia Vehicle: SLK 350 6M + SKN chip tuning & K&N air filters Other Toys: Motorcycles Posts: 117 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have to say that i have K&N on my car, for around 4000 km now, and have to say that everything is OK. K&N is really a well known established brand, and I doubt that they would produce filters which damage the MAF sensors...

05-19-2008	#8 (permalink)
Bill T Banned For Life.... Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Florida, USA Vehicle: Porsche Turbo Posts: 1,224 Country: Thanks: 21 Thanked 159 Times in 46 Posts	its not the filter that does the damage its the oil on the filter __________________ If it needs instructions, there's room for improvement. I give users what they actually want, not what they say they want. And whatever I do, I will not give them new features just because other benz sites have them! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-19-2008	#10 (permalink)
SuzaFan Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Croatia Vehicle: SLK 350 6M + SKN chip tuning & K&N air filters Other Toys: Motorcycles Posts: 117 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes, I know it is the oil, but wouldn't they (people in K&N) notice that in all those years and put less oil...??

05-19-2008	#11 (permalink)
nmslk Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: '05 SLK55 Posts: 189 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I thought the issues mentioned wtih K&N were not the factory delivered oil levels but the amount of oil on the filter after being cleaned and re-oiled by the consumers. If I recall it says to let the filters dry out (in the sun) after re-oiling to dry out the excess oil. nmslk

05-19-2008	#12 (permalink)
Bill T Banned For Life.... Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Florida, USA Vehicle: Porsche Turbo Posts: 1,224 Country: Thanks: 21 Thanked 159 Times in 46 Posts	I have purchased and installed many K&N filters over the years, I would say 3/4 of them were over oiled right out of the box. My fix for this issue was to clean and re-oil then let them sit and dry in the sun for a day then give them a good wipedown before installing. I have had both brands side by side and I think the greens have a better filter material. (very noticable when there is no oil on the filters) __________________ If it needs instructions, there's room for improvement. I give users what they actually want, not what they say they want. And whatever I do, I will not give them new features just because other benz sites have them! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-19-2008	#13 (permalink)
Gayle280 Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Henderson Nevada Vehicle: 2006 SLK280 Pewter,heating package,comfort package,satellite radio Posts: 131 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	I have no experience with K&N or Green on my SLK,however I have used K&N for 15 years on my Sentra 1993 SER (Several Mods and I do at least one 7,500 RPM shift when I take it out) and never have had any trouble with the MAF or performance. I know about the tendency to over oil so I have two and when I change out I have a clean oiled filter that has several weeks or months of drying before use. I havent made the switch yet on my SLK though.

05-22-2008	#14 (permalink)
algrensan SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	i have green filters (purchased from the slk store ofcourse!) for some time now on my '05 slk350 with zero problems so far. speaking of which, how much mileage/time is recommended before cleaning them and respraying them?

05-23-2008	#16 (permalink)
jbanks15 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Valrico, Florida Vehicle: 2009 SLK 55 AMG Posts: 599 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts	just received my green from slk store, but since car is only 3 days old i want to be able to distinquish the sound from stock so i am waiting a bit. __________________ Jeff 2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages Clearshield Protective Film OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen Eurolight Clear Side Markers Smarttop version 3.22 Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works)

06-04-2008	#17 (permalink)
barnabas SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	hey guys.. while reading this thread, i was wondering does the green filter improve the muffler sound of the car? is it noticable? i have chnaged my resonator with x pipe

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

06-13-2008	#18 (permalink)
barnabas SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	does anyone knows where to get the green filter?

06-13-2008	#20 (permalink)
barnabas SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	i saw many people sayign the buy from the slk store. and then slkworld but i couldnt find it in this slkworld.com. any idea? thx