Tough lesson to learn. Never put K & N on off road vehicles. It has been discussed often on this forum. Wish I had better news but I think you are stuck with the repairs yourself.
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K & N Filter Destroyed My Engine
I’m not sure if this post is in the right spot, if it’s not, please feel free to move it to the appropriate thread.
A few years back I bought a K & N air filter for my 01 Scrambler. Now mind you, that I am very meticulous when it comes to my machine. Yes it’s a Scrambler 500 4x4 and yes it’s a 2001, but it’s mine, it’s paid for and I don’t want to get stranded on the trails….although I did anyway.
We (me and a few buddys of mine) were riding the trails on a particularly windy, dry day. About 2 hours into the ride my machine suddenly bogged down and just died!! Not being 100% sure if it was the timing chain or not I didn’t immediately get back on the start button. Instead I opted to just have it towed to the truck and trailer it to the shop for diagnosis.
After tearing into it, we determined some trash got into the combustion chamber and jacked the piston and cylinder walls up pretty good. So after we determined that, it was then we noticed that the K & N air filter was securely attached to the intake inside the air box. The filter had been sucked Inwards so much that there was a huge gap there…and the filter was hard. It was finally determined that the filter was faulty and allowed trash to get sucked in the carb and made it to the combustion chamber ultimately destroying the piston and side wall.
So now I’m in a pissing match with K & N trying to get them to reimburse me for the repairs.
They want oil samples (for what I have no idea), pictures (which I sent them, well I didn’t get them an oil sample because the oil was drained and discarded by the time they requested it) but everything else I gave them.
After accusing them of giving me the run around, I then received an email from the company’s VP of their legal dept. asking me to jump through even more cheerio sized hoops!
Now I’m not about to give in to these sons of bit$!es and just lay down! I want to be reimbursed for the repairs. Is that too much for me to ask? Am I being unreasonable?
Has anyone else had something like this happen to their machine? If so, she’s some light on what my next course of action should be…..
Judge Judy?? Lol
A few years back I bought a K & N air filter for my 01 Scrambler. Now mind you, that I am very meticulous when it comes to my machine. Yes it’s a Scrambler 500 4x4 and yes it’s a 2001, but it’s mine, it’s paid for and I don’t want to get stranded on the trails….although I did anyway.
We (me and a few buddys of mine) were riding the trails on a particularly windy, dry day. About 2 hours into the ride my machine suddenly bogged down and just died!! Not being 100% sure if it was the timing chain or not I didn’t immediately get back on the start button. Instead I opted to just have it towed to the truck and trailer it to the shop for diagnosis.
After tearing into it, we determined some trash got into the combustion chamber and jacked the piston and cylinder walls up pretty good. So after we determined that, it was then we noticed that the K & N air filter was securely attached to the intake inside the air box. The filter had been sucked Inwards so much that there was a huge gap there…and the filter was hard. It was finally determined that the filter was faulty and allowed trash to get sucked in the carb and made it to the combustion chamber ultimately destroying the piston and side wall.
So now I’m in a pissing match with K & N trying to get them to reimburse me for the repairs.
They want oil samples (for what I have no idea), pictures (which I sent them, well I didn’t get them an oil sample because the oil was drained and discarded by the time they requested it) but everything else I gave them.
After accusing them of giving me the run around, I then received an email from the company’s VP of their legal dept. asking me to jump through even more cheerio sized hoops!
Now I’m not about to give in to these sons of bit$!es and just lay down! I want to be reimbursed for the repairs. Is that too much for me to ask? Am I being unreasonable?
Has anyone else had something like this happen to their machine? If so, she’s some light on what my next course of action should be…..
Judge Judy?? Lol
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Being unreasonable? Yes - the K&N is a performance filter and while washable and requires proper oiling, it is expected to be serviced and inspected after each use. Oil analysis is instrumental in determining the sequence of failure. Commpression rings are cast iron the cylinder is plated - the oil control ring is steel and typically the faces are plated.Now I’m not about to give in to these sons of bit$!es and just lay down! I want to be reimbursed for the repairs. Is that too much for me to ask? Am I being unreasonable?
Analyzing the oil will reveal the type and content of metal and other contaminants.
Simple deduction; if the filter was collapsed, it was not properly serviced and was not replaced at the end of it's useful service life. If I was the K&N corporation, I would not pay for the repairs either, but I would offer a free filter to replace the failed one as an expression of sympathy and to promote the continued use of the product. I believe the K&N warranty is only for defects in materials and workmanship of the product used and not for damage to the engine regardless of the circumstances. One exception might be if a new factory oiled filter was to fail due to defect and damage the engine, then they may for good will pay the repair cost of the engine damage, but I don't believe any performance accessory manufacturer extends their product warranty to cover the cost of repairs to the engine on which it is installed.
The filter wasn’t a full 2 years old. And I washed it, dried it and oiled it after every riding session so I’m sure it wasn’t at the end of its service life? It’s also the filter that K & N recommended for my machine with the foremost knowledge it was an off-road machine. My machine is WELL maintained, I’m very meticulous about my services and maintenance.
Just the fact that K & N is investigating my claim gives me a glimmer of hope so we will see who learns what lesson. If my claim is denied, so be it, then they will replace the filter free of charge and I’m out a few bucks and couple hours labor. If they accept it and reimburse me, that money will go towards a 850 or 1000 engine swap. In the meantime I guess I’ll just keep jumping through their hoops
Just the fact that K & N is investigating my claim gives me a glimmer of hope so we will see who learns what lesson. If my claim is denied, so be it, then they will replace the filter free of charge and I’m out a few bucks and couple hours labor. If they accept it and reimburse me, that money will go towards a 850 or 1000 engine swap. In the meantime I guess I’ll just keep jumping through their hoops
I hope the best for you, but you are at the mercy of K&N. Once you get it fixed, install an OEM filter. You are gaining no performance from using a K&N and risking destroying your engine each time you ride it. Others here have ruined there engines using K&N.
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if k/n loses you as a customer , its not going to matter to them ,, think about it how much was the filter , how much do you need for repairs , odds are there going to flush this ,because there's always someone else buying those dam things,, wish you the best of luck , might be time to move on lessen learned
An 850 or 1000 cannot be swapped into a 500 scrambler. Completely different engine and transmission configuration.If they accept it and reimburse me, that money will go towards a 850 or 1000 engine swap. In the meantime I guess I’ll just keep jumping through their hoops
Better off fixing what you have and go OEM on parts.
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Oh I know it’s not gonna be a simple “plug n play” swap. Gonna be some cutting and fabricating. It’ll be a project that’s for sure.An 850 or 1000 cannot be swapped into a 500 scrambler. Completely different engine and transmission configuration.
Better off fixing what you have and go OEM on parts.
D
And I’m not too extremely worried about the outcome of my claim. I’ve already fixed it. All new parts..couple bucks. Wasn’t too too bad.
And quite frankly, only reason I put a K & N in it in the first place was because that’s the only filter anyone had on the shelf at the time. The one I had was …well…missing when I got it. Last time I actually “wanted” a K & N air filter was for my pathfinder…and turns out it ruined my mass air flow sensor right off the rip! Anyway. Thanks guys
And quite frankly, only reason I put a K & N in it in the first place was because that’s the only filter anyone had on the shelf at the time. The one I had was …well…missing when I got it. Last time I actually “wanted” a K & N air filter was for my pathfinder…and turns out it ruined my mass air flow sensor right off the rip! Anyway. Thanks guys
Next time you are at the dealer, take a look at the difference between the 850, 1000 engines and yours. You would have more luck installing a turbine engine. Your 500 engine sits sideways (east and west) in the frame. The 1000 engine sits (north and south) The clutch on the 500 is attached to the crank. The clutch on the 1000 is on the transmission. The 1000 engine runs the OPPOSITE rotation of the 500. All the welding and fabrication in the world is not going to make it fit. To top it off the electronics on the 1000 and fuel systems are totally different.Oh I know it’s not gonna be a simple “plug n play” swap. Gonna be some cutting and fabricating. It’ll be a project that’s for sure.
You are better off fixing the 500 or scraping it out and buying an 850 or 1000. About the only thing the 1000 and your 500 have in common is maybe the gas cap.
D
A few years back I bought a K & N air filter for my 01 Scrambler.
So which was it? 🤷♂️The filter wasn’t a full 2 years old.
There's no way you can repair a "destroyed" engine for a "couple bucks." So which was it? 🤷♂️And I’m not too extremely worried about the outcome of my claim. I’ve already fixed it. All new parts..couple bucks. Wasn’t too too bad.
Air filters claim a lot of machines on here.
K&N Air Filters claims a lot machines your're not the first and won'tbe the last do a search.This happened just last month::
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Blown Engine Advice - 2021 Polaris Sportsman 850 Premium
Curious what you all would suggest doing. Bought this 4wheeler about 1 year ago for $10,500 with 15 hours on it, has 72 hours on it now, never been sunk and only on WV trails. This last trip apparently the engine got too much dirt/dust in through the filter causing it to burn oil too fast and...
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Run K&N on my Toyota truck for 15 years with no problem ? ~~Old Geez~~And I’m not too extremely worried about the outcome of my claim. I’ve already fixed it. All new parts..couple bucks. Wasn’t too too bad.
And quite frankly, only reason I put a K & N in it in the first place was because that’s the only filter anyone had on the shelf at the time. The one I had was …well…missing when I got it. Last time I actually “wanted” a K & N air filter was for my pathfinder…and turns out it ruined my mass air flow sensor right off the rip! Anyway. Thanks guys
I've been running a K&N on my 2000 F-150 since about 2003 or so, but we are talking about off-road (dusty conditions) not highway use..Run K&N on my Toyota truck for 15 years with no problem ? ~~Old Geez~~
How long have you been running a K&N in your 2003 700 Twin?
Here is a better alternative Polaris Sportsman Air FilterI've been running a K&N on my 2000 F-150 since about 2003 or so, but we are talking about off-road (dusty conditions) not highway use..
How long have you been running a K&N in your 2003 700 Twin?
I lost 2 motors to K&N filters before I wised up, even as I serviced them after EVERY ride. Now days I wouldn't touch them when it comes to my ATVs. But as Rainmanx stated, a lot of machines get ruined due to air filters, mostly due to poor maintenance practices I'd assume. But if you keep a machine long enough, ride it continually in dusty conditions, enough of that dust that's as fine as a woman's face powder will infiltrate OEM filters, oiled Uni Filters or R2C filters, even if serviced/replaced regularly, and eventually destroy the motor. Just my $.02.
I pull my sock off and hose clamp to the intake before i ran a K&N.And I’m not too extremely worried about the outcome of my claim. I’ve already fixed it. All new parts..couple bucks. Wasn’t too too bad.
And quite frankly, only reason I put a K & N in it in the first place was because that’s the only filter anyone had on the shelf at the time. The one I had was …well…missing when I got it. Last time I actually “wanted” a K & N air filter was for my pathfinder…and turns out it ruined my mass air flow sensor right off the rip! Anyway. Thanks guys
I had one on a ford expedition, it let enough dust through to ruin the MAF in about 3 weeks.
Yes it was oiled properly
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