Warning: K&N Oil Filter Recall KN-204

andcam

andcam

Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Messages
8
Location
UK
This has been posted previously but was not something I was aware of.

I did an oil & filter change a couple of months ago, fitting the usual (for me) KN-204. Last weekend the bike gradually dumped most of it's oil over the course of a 300 mile journey. The remainder, thankfully, onto the garage floor. This could have been very bad news had it let go completely at motorway speeds!

It seems the oil filter failed at the seam where then nut end is spot-welded on.

I now discover there was a recall on the K&N KN-204 filters some years ago: https://www.knfilters.co.uk/recallkn204

I purchased the oil & filter from a reputable UK dealer in March, 2020. Clearly there's a problem with the effectiveness of the recall!!
 
When I found that I had purchased a K&N filter which fell under the recall, I took that recall information to my local dealer, from where I had obtained the filter. They were unaware of the recall. I recommended that they check their stock, to see if they had more designated defective units on the shelf. And that they should also contact customers like myself,, who had purchased this brand/model from them. I doubt that they ever did that. I also left them a copy of the recall replacement form, for other such customers. It is not a good sign that there is still defective inventory is still circulating in the market, after so much time.,,, CAt'
 
Catmandu2 said:
When I found that I had purchased a K&N filter which fell under the recall, I took that recall information to my local dealer, from where I had obtained the filter.
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Just for giggles, after reading your post, I checked the Fram and Purolator filters I had on my shelf. No date of mfr, or printed lot number on the box, like a "Best if eaten by date" you see on food. How can an auto parts dealer know which filters were recalled? Is there some number or id info I missed?
 
andcam said:
This has been posted previously but was not something I was aware of.

I did an oil & filter change a couple of months ago, fitting the usual (for me) KN-204. Last weekend the bike gradually dumped most of it's oil over the course of a 300 mile journey. The remainder, thankfully, onto the garage floor. This could have been very bad news had it let go completely at motorway speeds!

It seems the oil filter failed at the seam where then nut end is spot-welded on.

I now discover there was a recall on the K&N KN-204 filters some years ago: https://www.knfilters.co.uk/recallkn204

I purchased the oil & filter from a reputable UK dealer in March, 2020. Clearly there's a problem with the effectiveness of the recall!!
Click to expand...
Moral of the story or Long story short. Just use OEM filter. They work just as good if not better.
 
Be aware you have to READ CAREFULLY and be a little clairvoyant.... DO NOT use the nut to install the K&N. It is "Wrench-off" in their words. Several have had the issue, personally I see no need for this thing at all.
 
RaYzerman said:
Be aware you have to READ CAREFULLY and be a little clairvoyant.... DO NOT use the nut to install the K&N. It is "Wrench-off" in their words. Several have had the issue, personally I see no need for this thing at all.
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My GL1800 uses that filter as well as my ST1300, and having the nut on the end makes it much easier to change the filter on my GL without removing the lower cowl.
 
As I have posted before - I will never buy another K&N filter after having failures and leaking on both a motorcycle and on my truck due to defective welds for the removal nut. When the oil leak occurred on my bike it oiled up my rear tire and almost caused me to fall. Never again.
 
3 STs, 2 FJRs and over 400K miles using K&N . . . no problems, never leaked a drop. Very convenient being able to use the same tool for both the drain plug and the filter. Filter goes on hand tight plus 1/4 turn with the wrench. Always comes off easy. I'll keep using them.

My 2 cents.
Shuey

PS: Wasn't aware of any recall. As SMSW asked, how do you identify one subject to the recall?
 
Shuey said:
3 STs, 2 FJRs and over 400K miles using K&N . . . no problems, never leaked a drop. Very convenient being able to use the same tool for both the drain plug and the filter. Filter goes on hand tight plus 1/4 turn with the wrench. Always comes off easy. I'll keep using them.

My 2 cents.
Shuey

PS: Wasn't aware of any recall. As SMSW asked, how do you identify one subject to the recall?
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Same here and the last recall K&N replaced my garage stock free (that was a long time ago) don’t crank down so hard when installing.
and cent more!
Cadreamin
 
I used many a K+N filters with no problem ever, But last couple of years switched to HIflofiltro (HF204RC) racing oil filter . Has the nut welded on just like the K&N ,Well made and at a cheaper price. Also My Tracer 900 GT takes the same filter, NIce!
MIKE
 
SMSW said:
Is there some number or id info I missed?
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The k&n's that were recalled had manufacturing batch numbers to identify them. You had to take a phone photo of your filter and send it in with the recall form,, in order to qualify. The process was pretty easy actually,, and new filter came by courier in a few days. CAt'
 
The K&N filters that I had leak were not part of any recall, just defective. Regardless if you have ever had any problem with them before as far as I am concerned it is not worth the risk especially on a motorcycle. I had used these filters for years also before I had a problem. When I experience the leak on my bike I was on a very twisty mountain road with steep drop offs and guard rails. It was pure luck that I was not seriously injured or worse. The filter that leaked on my bike had been on for over a thousand miles before it started to leak. If this had happened to you I am sure you would also tell others to try and get them not to use these filters on a motorcycle. I have heard so many times from others, "I've never had the issue", well if you do have it leak, what could the outcome be? Having a nice nut to take off a filter is not worth being killed over. I am serious.
 
If you have any doubts about what I am saying about the K&N filters leaking just Google K&N oil filter leaks. Read about the issues, look at the reports on Amazon as well. It will open your eyes. The leaking issues go far beyond the recalled filters.
 
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