xjohnmatrix

A bit concerned...opened the hood today to check oil levels (have a minor leak), and I was shocked to see my K&N cold air intake filter head detached and lodged nicely below the exposed intake tube...

Couldn't have been driving on it for more than a couple of days but the weird thing is I didn't notice any odd sounds. Luckily I live in Florida and didn't drive through anywhere particularly dusty.

Is this a minor concern or has my engine possibly been compromised with unfiltered air.

Thanks guys

EZEARL

I wouldn't be concerned with it. If anything major got in you'd know it by now. Besides you said it couldn't have been off for more than a couple days. Might have only been off a couple hours. Best be finding out why it came off in the first place if you haven't already.

investinwaffles

You are fine, just good thing you caught it early. Lots of guys with carbs run no air cleaner. Definitely figure out why it happened and make sure it is secure

xjohnmatrix

Thanks for the reassurance. Turns out the fastener was too close to the filter head, which caused it to slowly squeeze off of the intake pipe. Lowered the fastener closer to the pipe and now it's good to go

bad_idea

One more vote for no worries. I have driven my 79 Camaro many miles with out a filter for testing purposes. Not intentionally ****-canning the filter, just easy to test the vehicle without the filter. Still runs like a top.

s346k

hell the first thing you do when you go to the drag strip or out of a night to cruise is remove the air filter haha. i drove my ls1 camaro roughly 30k miles with no filter and a ram air setup on it. i had to change the oil more often but it never affected anything else.

watermom

xjohnmatrix--do you like the K&N cold air intake filter? I have thought about putting one on but never got around to it. Advantages?

SFNM94XJ

I have been running a K&N FIPK with its original filter element for years. I wanted more air flow than the stock setup to supply my 62mm throttle body. Plus, it's easy to clean after a long dusty run.

investinwaffles

If you are buying a filter, don't get a K&N

Get a Green or AEM DryFlow filter, oil-less and cleanable. Roughly the same price but easier to clean and no oil to coat the intake and throttle body

SFNM94XJ

Any of these brands offer the major benefits of more air flow & cleanable. I just saw an engine compartment decked out in green trim, hoses, etc, and the Green filter (which is green) looked really cool.