JP

Some of you may remember that my wife and I took a trip to Montana in July. During that trip we were on dirt for about 20-30 miles and ran through a ¼ mile of grasshoppers so thick the road looked like it was moving. I had a K&N filter in during the trip and decided today to switch back to the standard Audi filter. Reasons for the switch are the warrantee issues with these MAF (mass air flow sensor) failures and backlog of orders for them. To clarify that concern, I now understand that an aftermarket air filter cannot void warrantee claims as long the manufacturer does not supply air filters FREE. If they do, as Audi does during scheduled maintenance, apparently, your protection may be lost if you use an aftermarket air filter. I am sure someone will correct me if this is wrong (and please do). Regardless, I did not want to have the car setting for weeks waiting for a MAF. During my last visit to the dealer, I was told that if I was using a K&N it may damage the MAF since they were sensitive to silicone. I'm not going to get into whether or not K&N uses any silicone since they use a "polymer", in addition to mineral and animal oil and that kinda' leaves the gate open.

Anyway, the main reason for this post is to let everyone see what I sucked into the air box during my trip (and some local driving). I was not aware stuff this large could/would get in there. Having that filter changed and occasionally checking it may be a good idea, especially if there is any power loss (other the TIP playing economy). Something else I found interesting was the intake side of the air box was coated with oil from the filter. I saw nothing on MAF screen or that side of the air box, although with all that oil on the other side, I would guess there was a little somewhere I could not see.

I don't remember if there was any difference with the K&N vs. stock filter due to some other changes I had made, but it must not have been much if I don't remember. I'm going back to stock air filters because of the reasons mentioned above and this oil leakage.


Follow the links for the pictures. Many of the places you see debris in the bottom ¼, are fully packed with stuff.

The Fly-By is OT but cool.


http://home.att.net/~johnpra/scans/KN_front_direct.jpg
http://home.att.net/~johnpra/scans/KN_front_side_slight_angle_2.jpg
http://home.att.net/~johnpra/scans/KN_backside_slight_angle.jpg
http://home.att.net/~johnpra/scans/KN_front_side_slight_angle.jpg
http://home.att.net/~johnpra/scans/KN_backside_direct.jpg
http://home.att.net/~johnpra/scans/Fly-By.jpg

Definitely

I think I need a life :-)

JP

Wife and I LOL!