K&N air filter problems

steppin16 · 04-22-2001, 09:28 PM

the local dealer told me that my mass air flow sensor is bad due to my K&N air filter(just the drop in)and I was wondering if anyone ever had this experience before. If so could you explain how this happened, what to do so it wont happen again with the K&N in, and if K&N paid to replace the part.
thanks

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Orrmobl · 04-22-2001, 09:41 PM

Sounds like crap to me. Of course I'm not an expert but K&Ns have been around forever, for all types of vehicles, and I've never heard of any problems, or cases where you should not use one... if they make if for you car, what's the problem? Also dealers cannot refuse warranty service for the installation of aftermarket things such as air, fuel or oil filters...just my $.02. You may want to drop K&N a line to see what they have to say...I would guess they would not be happy having their product bad-mouthed and will point you to the legalese around aftermarket accessories and why your dealer is full of it.

steppin16 · 04-22-2001, 09:54 PM

well the sensor isn't under warranty any more and the dealer said if the air filter wasn't in there(K&N)there wouldn't have been a problem. They told me something like the air doubled through the sensor causing the sensor to "blow" and caused the amount of gas to double. It just doesn't seem right. I would think more cars would have this problem. Even non-subarus

remarcable · 04-22-2001, 10:48 PM

MY99 subarus have a very sensitive MAF sensor.

If you over-oil the K&N it *can* and *probably will* cause your MAF sensor to go belly up.

This is why it is hard to find a good CAI for 99 model years.

I just put my amsoil in 100 miles ago, and nothing bad so far. It was really oily from the factory though.. so I used paper towels to sponge up the excess and also let it dry for 24 hours before putting it in the car as per Larry Ganz's instructions.

So don't over-oil those K&N's!!!!!

-Marc

Eric Gagnon · 04-23-2001, 04:42 AM

Hey Steppin16,

Check this link out: warrenty denial

Unless your dealer provides you with FREE replacement airfilters you have the right to use what ever replacment airfilter you would like. You are not allowed to make changes to the factory box, but as long as everything is stock w/ the exception of the filter they have are suppose to replace you MAF and maybe give you a repacement filter that they want you to use. This is all assuming you are within you warrenty time and milage restrictions.

Eric

Eric Gagnon · 04-23-2001, 05:52 PM

Where is Canzenova? I am new to NY and still trying to find my way around

We shoudl meet up sometime and compare notes on the 99's..

MAF's are about $300ish..
Eric

[This message has been edited by Eric Gagnon (edited April 23, 2001).]

steppin16 · 04-23-2001, 08:03 PM

ya they told me it would be around 600 plus labor so im thinking about 1000 just because of a stupid air filter... ya we should meet up just as soon as i get my car back.

ImprezaRS dot com · 04-23-2001, 11:22 PM

Speaking of AMSOIL - Eric Gagnon is my sponsor!! I need your new phone number Eric (since you moved), to sign up a new dealer this week!!

Larry

Joncas · 04-24-2001, 12:21 AM

Hey,
Saw you the other night - remember. Silver RS? Anyway, these people around here are great. Welcome aboard.

Didn't you say they wanted $600 for the MAF? Anyone else think that its little high $$$?

-Andrew

D-Rock · 04-24-2001, 04:34 AM

Cazenovia is right around the Syracuse area. It's probably less than 2 hours away from where you are at.

Revision · 04-24-2001, 04:46 AM

If your car is out of warrenty, change the MAF yourself. It is very easy. Plus your dealership is full of BS if they want to charge $600 for a MAF. Give Scott a call at Subaru Parts and ask him how much for a new MAF. And your dealership is wrong about the airflow doubling under the use of a K&N panel filter, at best you will see about a 10% increase in flow easily handled by the stock ECU and well withing the tolerances of the MAF.

What symptoms are you experiencing? If you car is still running abet with some hesitation you may be able to get away with only having to clean your MAF.

(edit) It sounds like your car is still at that dealership. GET IT OUT OF THERE! Go to another dealership.

[This message has been edited by Revision (edited April 24, 2001).]

steppin16 · 04-24-2001, 11:50 AM

thanx I'll see what I can do

Suba-RAW · 04-24-2001, 04:12 PM

Definitely sounds like a line of BS. I'd get a second opinion. Wish I had more info for you. I have been, too many times, on the receiving end of that type of crap. Dealers

, just say the part's broke and you don't know why.

steppin16 · 04-24-2001, 06:28 PM

well the mess is over... by the time i called today they had just put it on and it was done... should have come here before it was in the shop... because i found the MAF for $222 on subaruparts.com and the dealer charged me 300 plus 200 for replacing it... a hole 4 bolts had to be taken off! dealers are @!#@%$#%^%^ you get the idea... now it time to send the bill to K&N lets see how that goes

Joncas · 04-24-2001, 10:06 PM

Cazenovia is near syracuse NY. Bummer on the maf. See you on the blvd. this week if its nice out. Hope to have my stromung system on.

-Andrew

04-22-2001, 09:28 PM	#1
steppin16 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6010 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Syracuse, NY	K&N air filter problems the local dealer told me that my mass air flow sensor is bad due to my K&N air filter(just the drop in)and I was wondering if anyone ever had this experience before. If so could you explain how this happened, what to do so it wont happen again with the K&N in, and if K&N paid to replace the part. thanks * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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04-22-2001, 09:41 PM	#2
Orrmobl Scooby Newbie Member#: 5327 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Drexel Hill, PA, US	Sounds like crap to me. Of course I'm not an expert but K&Ns have been around forever, for all types of vehicles, and I've never heard of any problems, or cases where you should not use one... if they make if for you car, what's the problem? Also dealers cannot refuse warranty service for the installation of aftermarket things such as air, fuel or oil filters...just my $.02. You may want to drop K&N a line to see what they have to say...I would guess they would not be happy having their product bad-mouthed and will point you to the legalese around aftermarket accessories and why your dealer is full of it.

04-22-2001, 09:54 PM	#3
steppin16 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6010 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Syracuse, NY	well the sensor isn't under warranty any more and the dealer said if the air filter wasn't in there(K&N)there wouldn't have been a problem. They told me something like the air doubled through the sensor causing the sensor to "blow" and caused the amount of gas to double. It just doesn't seem right. I would think more cars would have this problem. Even non-subarus

04-22-2001, 10:48 PM	#4
remarcable Scooby Specialist Member#: 2362 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Carolina, USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy Outback Blue w/ Paint Chips & Mud	MY99 subarus have a very sensitive MAF sensor. If you over-oil the K&N it can and probably will cause your MAF sensor to go belly up. This is why it is hard to find a good CAI for 99 model years. I just put my amsoil in 100 miles ago, and nothing bad so far. It was really oily from the factory though.. so I used paper towels to sponge up the excess and also let it dry for 24 hours before putting it in the car as per Larry Ganz's instructions. So don't over-oil those K&N's!!!!! -Marc

04-23-2001, 04:42 AM	#5
Eric Gagnon Scooby Newbie Member#: 46 Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Vehicle: 2001 Jetta 1.8T White	Hey Steppin16, Check this link out: warrenty denial Unless your dealer provides you with FREE replacement airfilters you have the right to use what ever replacment airfilter you would like. You are not allowed to make changes to the factory box, but as long as everything is stock w/ the exception of the filter they have are suppose to replace you MAF and maybe give you a repacement filter that they want you to use. This is all assuming you are within you warrenty time and milage restrictions. Eric

04-23-2001, 05:52 PM	#6
Eric Gagnon Scooby Newbie Member#: 46 Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Vehicle: 2001 Jetta 1.8T White	Where is Canzenova? I am new to NY and still trying to find my way around We shoudl meet up sometime and compare notes on the 99's.. MAF's are about $300ish.. Eric [This message has been edited by Eric Gagnon (edited April 23, 2001).]

04-23-2001, 08:03 PM	#7
steppin16 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6010 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Syracuse, NY	ya they told me it would be around 600 plus labor so im thinking about 1000 just because of a stupid air filter... ya we should meet up just as soon as i get my car back.

04-23-2001, 11:22 PM	#8
ImprezaRS dot com over boosted again Moderator Member#: 1458 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Springs CO USA Vehicle: 2006 B9 Tribeca LTD 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS	Speaking of AMSOIL - Eric Gagnon is my sponsor!! I need your new phone number Eric (since you moved), to sign up a new dealer this week!! Larry

04-24-2001, 12:21 AM	#9
Joncas Scooby Specialist Member#: 5349 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Central New York	Hey, Saw you the other night - remember. Silver RS? Anyway, these people around here are great. Welcome aboard. Didn't you say they wanted $600 for the MAF? Anyone else think that its little high $$$? -Andrew

04-24-2001, 04:34 AM	#10
D-Rock Scooby Newbie Member#: 3651 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Salem, NH Vehicle: 2001 2.5 RS Coupe	Cazenovia is right around the Syracuse area. It's probably less than 2 hours away from where you are at.

04-24-2001, 04:46 AM	#11
Revision Scooby Guru Member#: 242 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Carol Stream, IL USA Vehicle: MY05 PSM GGA !STOCK MY99 RS-RIP / MY95 MX-5	If your car is out of warrenty, change the MAF yourself. It is very easy. Plus your dealership is full of BS if they want to charge $600 for a MAF. Give Scott a call at Subaru Parts and ask him how much for a new MAF. And your dealership is wrong about the airflow doubling under the use of a K&N panel filter, at best you will see about a 10% increase in flow easily handled by the stock ECU and well withing the tolerances of the MAF. What symptoms are you experiencing? If you car is still running abet with some hesitation you may be able to get away with only having to clean your MAF. (edit) It sounds like your car is still at that dealership. GET IT OUT OF THERE! Go to another dealership. [This message has been edited by Revision (edited April 24, 2001).]

04-24-2001, 11:50 AM	#12
steppin16 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6010 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Syracuse, NY	thanx I'll see what I can do

04-24-2001, 04:12 PM	#13
Suba-RAW Scooby Newbie Member#: 2831 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Salisbury Center, NY	Definitely sounds like a line of BS. I'd get a second opinion. Wish I had more info for you. I have been, too many times, on the receiving end of that type of crap. Dealers , just say the part's broke and you don't know why.

04-24-2001, 06:28 PM	#14
steppin16 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6010 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Syracuse, NY	well the mess is over... by the time i called today they had just put it on and it was done... should have come here before it was in the shop... because i found the MAF for $222 on subaruparts.com and the dealer charged me 300 plus 200 for replacing it... a hole 4 bolts had to be taken off! dealers are @!#@%$#%^%^ you get the idea... now it time to send the bill to K&N lets see how that goes

04-24-2001, 10:06 PM	#15
Joncas Scooby Specialist Member#: 5349 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Central New York	Cazenovia is near syracuse NY. Bummer on the maf. See you on the blvd. this week if its nice out. Hope to have my stromung system on. -Andrew