Air Filter Box (problems getting lid on)

kkreit01 · 01-12-2006, 01:30 PM

I placed a K&N drop-in in my 04 Freestar last night. K&N doesn't list one for it. I used their cross-reference function from the Motorcraft part number. By the way, the Motorcraft number in the Owner's Manual was DIFFERENT than the acutal filter in my van! The K&N part number is 33-2266. It's a perfect fit. That filter is acutally for the LS/Jags 3.0 V6s and 3.9 V8s. Anywho, who has had a heck of a time placing the air box lid back on correctly? A 2 minute job took 20-30 minutes. I couldn't get the lid hooked on the bottom. I had to remove the tube from the throttle body, remove the lid, file the tabs off the side, remove a wire harness underneath the airbox. It was the biggest PITA ever. I finally got it on,a nd the K&N is sealed in place. I hope to not remove it for another 40-50K miles.

04sel · 02-08-2006, 05:13 PM

Do you see any difference with the K&N filter?

kkreit01 · 03-30-2006, 01:13 PM

I don;t know if it's a coincidence, but my MPG have improved quite a bit in City driving. However, this could also have been cause by less frequent short trips. I no longer drive the van to work -- which was a 6 mile commute. Currently, our average trips on town are aournd 15 miles. Anyway, b4 K&N, I was averaging 17 MPG. After K&N, the 4 tanks were as follows: 20, 17 (very cold and a lot of idling), 19, 19. My stock filter was pretty dirty after 20K miles.

klancf51 · 06-11-2006, 07:16 AM

I've been a member of BMW 7-series forums for years and K&N filters have been a topic of some discussion: while they are recognized as great filters, it seem that they have an they have an oil coating on the filter element that has a tendancy to adversely effect mass air flow (MAF) sensors. Personally, I stick with Motorcraft.

kkreit01 · 06-14-2006, 11:33 AM

Yeah-- I've read all that, and I know everyone has their opinion on oil-gauzed filters. It doesn't take much to clean the MAF. I'm a member of BOBISTHEOILGUY.com, and the 'K&N debate' has been discussed their many times. Some say it fouls MAFs, and lets too much dirt in. Others say they've ran them for 100K+ miles with no issues. I have used them for the past 11 years with no issues. AEM and Amsoil have come out with some dry alternatives, but none available for our application. Ford pushrods will ping anyway -- the K&N didn't cause or hinder that aspect of my Freestar.